Ten Common Misconceptions About Infant Car Seat Uk That Aren't Always The Truth Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK

Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to use a car seat for their children until they reach a certain age or height. Choosing the right car seat is crucial to keep your child safe.

Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward facing seat as one of the best. It features a cozy baby-hugg inlay and enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It also has a rotation feature that allows you adjust the seat to the optimal position for your vehicle.

Rear-facing

Car seats with rear-facing windows for infants are designed to protect infants from neck and head injuries in an accident. Children who are in forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injured than those who are in rear-facing child safety seats. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are typically placed on the back of the car and are smaller and lighter than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended to always use a rear-facing infant car seat until your child is no longer using it, or is at the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.

There are two types of car seats: convertible car seat and all-in one car seat. Both are safe for your baby, however each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Convertible car seats start out facing the rear and can be turned around to face forward once your child is big enough. All-in-one car seat have higher rear-facing weights and height limits, so your child can safely ride in the seat for a longer time.

When you select a rear-facing car seat for your baby, ensure it fits your vehicle and is installed correctly. The instructions for installing the seat on the labels of the manufacturer and in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Check the straps of the seat to ensure they are secure and tight. Also, ensure that your child is not able to pinch the harness material. Also, make sure to not wear bulky clothing that could impede the straps.

Rear-facing car seats are less dangerous than forward-facing car seats designed for infants, as the impact force lessened when the infant's body is held in the seat. In addition, rear-facing seats offer more protection for infants who are ejected from a vehicle in a side impact accident.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing infant car seat you might want to think about switching to a seat which has a large rearward-facing weight limit and size. A majority of convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that permit your child to use the seat for over two years.

Forward-facing

When your baby outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can flip them to face forward. You should wait until your child reaches the weight and height limits before doing this. It is also advisable to talk with your child's pediatrician.


Based on the laws of physics and safety research, children younger than two are safer in a rear-facing car seat. They can rest easier in their seat and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is especially important for babies who's necks and bones still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines, infants and toddlers should ride rear-facing for a minimum of 12 months or 20 lbs. Some experts suggest taking a longer time.

If your child is growing out of the rear-facing car seat it is possible to switch them to a car seat that's convertible or comes with five-point safety harness. These seats are designed to cradle your growing infant and are often equipped with a movable newborn positioner. They are available with a base, so they can be used in a variety of vehicles and you can buy additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.

It is also recommended to use a car seat that has an adjustable headrest for infants up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be slightly angled back, not more than 300 degrees from vertical, and it should be able to cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway could be blocked in the event that the headrest isn't tilted back far enough. Additionally the car seat shouldn't be set at an angle that could result in a herniated disc developing in the spine.

In infant car seat best of a crash it is possible for children to be thrown from the car seat that is facing forward. This could be fatal. A towel that has been rolled up or pillow can be put beneath the seat's base to help it recline further, which will keep your child safe in the car.

A rear-facing car seats can minimize leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal collision, the legs of a child facing forward can fly up, hitting the rear of the car seat. This could cause serious injury. However, with a rear-facing car seat, the child's legs won't hit the seat and can be cushioned by the harness. This will significantly reduce the chance of injury.

Multi-group

There are a myriad of choices for infant car seats. However there are some that will not meet your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant seat can fit your child from birth to about age 4, and is compatible with the majority of prams. This kind of seat will have a harness that protects your child, and it is designed to adapt to your child's needs, with features such as an adjustable headrest as well as side impact wings. Some of these seats are also designed to be able to rotate inside the vehicle, allowing you to change their position and give your child an enhanced view of the road ahead.

New infant car seats are based on height rather than weight, which makes them more secure for your child. This type of car seat, also known as i-Size or R129, is approved by the EU in the UK and all of them have to comply with strict safety standards before they can be sold. The label will have a capital "E" in a circle, along with the letters "R129". These seats are easier to install and provide better protection against side-impacts.

The Group 1 or 0 car seat will be facing rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that they can be turned to face forward. They come with a harness and are secured using either Isofix or the car seat belt. Some will come with the ability to rotate, which means that you can move the car seat around without using the car belt, and some are also able to fit on most prams.

A group 1/2/3 seat will last your child until they reach the age of 11 and are 105cm tall or until you decide to transform it into a booster. These are the most secure car seats and are recommended by Which?. These car seats come with a wide design with a one-handed reclining feature and at least 12 headrest positions. Some have a lightweight handle that can be easily stowed in the suitcase.

Rotation function

The rotation function of the infant car seat is one of its most important features. It allows the part of the seat which holds the infant to rotate on a separate basis, making it easier for parents to get the child into and out of the car. This feature is particularly useful when the vehicle's trunk or backseat are compact. In addition, it can assist in installing the seat in the vehicle of a different.

The rotation function also makes it easier to access the harness buckles without disturbing the sleeping baby, and it's an absolute blessing when juggling toddlers while trying to take them to the car. However, some of the seats that rotate struggle to accomplish this objective, and it's worth looking up online reviews of specific models to find out how well they perform.

A seat that can be used with strollers is another feature that's important. A lot of brands offer this option that is referred to as a travel system and is ideal for parents who want an all-in-one unit that will take them through all the stages of their child's life. It's also a great choice for families that live in a multi-car household because it allows parents to change cars without disturbing the infant.

Car seats for infants are designed to hold babies and newborns until one year old age. They are classified into four groups, Group 0, 1, 2 and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to as infant or carrycots keeps the child facing backwards and is connected to the vehicle with the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats typically attach to the vehicle's base with LATCH which is a straightforward system to connect all kinds of car seats.

A group 3 seat is typically a convertible car seat that expands with the child from newborn to around four years of age. These seats have an increased weight and height limit as well as a padded adjustable headrest that helps protect the child in an accident. They also come with a removable support wedge and a deluxe carry handle, so that the seat can also double as a carry-on.