One of the essential things you’ll buy for a child is a good car seat. You will need one from that time you have to bring your newborn from the hospital to your home until he reaches the age when he fits into an adult seat belt, usually around ten years old and up.
Any car seat must pass the required safety standards within a 30 miles per hour crash test. Other requirements that need to be completed are flexibility of use when it comes to vehicles with challenging interiors, simplicity of managing buckles and straps, and the overall ease of usage.
Spending wisely and choosing an all in one car seat can be the best investment you can make and safely securing your child. Planning is strongly advised. Here is a guide to select the right seat for your car and your growing child.
When purchasing a car seat, the first thing to do is to try some in your car before choosing which to buy. It will be helpful if the seller knows a lot about the features of the car seat you are trying, this will be a big help when you decide. Some manufacturers have an online car seat installation guide or manual that can be available to guide buyers on which cars will the car seat fit in perfectly.
The car seat should be appropriate for your child’s height and weight. As much as possible, avoid getting second-hand car seats because they can have incomplete parts or it can be something damaged during an accident. You can get one, but you have to be sure that you trust the seller, so you know that it is safe and it is not old.
Car Seat Size
There are three main classifications of car seats, depending on a child’s age, weight, and height:
Group 0+
- These are suitable for infants aged up to fifteen months or weighs up to thirteen kilograms
- These are rear-facing car seats
- Most often clipped to a pushchair frame
Group 1
- These are suitable for children who weigh nine to eighteen kilograms or those who are nine months up to four years old
- These are forward-facing car seat
Group 2/3
- These are for children who weigh fifteen to thirty-six kilograms or those between the ages of four to eleven years old
- These are high-backed booster seats
A car seat can be a combination of groups 0+ and 1 that is perfectly suitable for a child from birth until he reaches the age of four. These are more economical, but the level of protection should be considered well.
Types of Car Seats
Convertible Car Seat
If you go for a convertible car seat, use the rear-facing position. There is a height and weight limit that will tell you when you can use the front-facing position.
This type of car seat is also bulky than those which are designed to be rear-facing or front-facing only. Its front-facing position can be used once the child reaches two or follows the manufacturer’s recommendation based on the manual.
3-in-1 or 4-in-1 Car Seat
Generally known as all-in-one car seats since they work front-facing, rear-facing, and belt-positioning booster car seats. This type of car seat is appropriate for big cars, so if you have a smaller vehicle, you have to double-check if it will fit in your car. This type of model does not have a carry handle designed to be fixed in your car. This is best for infant to toddler years.
Rear Facing Car Seat
There are car seats designed to have the rear-facing position only. Use a rear-facing car seat until a child reaches two years old or reaches the manufacturer’s height and weight limit.
Booster Seat
As soon as a child reaches the manufacturer’s height and weight limits for forward-facing seats, the next safety seat will be a booster seat that utilizes the car’s seatbelt. This type of car seat is easy to install, and it provides impact protection for a child. Some models that have a backrest make it more comfortable for children to rest their back.
In general, choosing a car seat may be easy but the most important aspect to consider apart from size and ease of installation is the level of child safety that it provides.
