The Car Seat

Infant carriers/baby seats 

Infant carriers/baby seats are fitted using an adult lap and diagonal belt whilst the child is restrained by an integral harness. No additional fixing kit is required so these seats can be easily moved from one car to another

Some Buying Tips for infant carriers

• Carrying handles are essential and convenient.A sleeping child can be carried to and from the car and doors can be unlocked more easily.
• Check that the adult belts are long enough. Make sure the restraint can be installed in your car correctly and that it will sit securely at a comfortable angle for the child.
• Avoid harness adjusters located high on the straps.They can cause discomfort to a baby that falls asleep lying against them. You'll be adjusting the harness regularly as the child grows so look for systems that are quick and convenient.
• Check how easy the cover is to remove and replace. Inevitably you'll have to remove it for cleaning at some time.

Consider 'two-way' seats

Two-way seats are a compromise; they are generally heavier and less convenient to use than normal infant carriers and their fitting instructions can be complicated. They may suit you and save you money. Misfitting is quite common with two-way seats so try it out in your car or make sure you can exchange it for another model. 

Once your child is old enough, heavy enough and able to sit up unaided, he or she is ready to move to a forward-facing restraint.

 Forward facing car seats

Are also known as stage 2 car seats. The seats in this weight range consist of a seat shell attached to a frame. The child is held into the seat by an integral five-point harness, while the frame is attached to the car usually by using the adult seatbelts.

• Look for one that's easy to adjust You'll be letting-out or tightening the harness every time you add or remove clothes from your child. Simply try to adjust the size on the display sample but bear in mind that it'll be harder with a child in the seat.
• Many have a built-in reclining facility. This might cost more but can be useful, particularly for younger children who will probably sleep more often.

Fitting Tips

Fitting the adult belts correctly around the frame and making adjustments so that the installation is tight takes time and effort. Compared to booster seats, this type of seat can be more difficult to transfer between cars.

Compatibility can be a problem

Despite the fact that seats are generally approved for universal use, few if any can actually be fitted correctly in all seating positions in all cars. Check the manufacturer's application list and ask the retailer to demonstrate correct installation in your car.

Incorrect fitting is a common problem with child seats

This is particularly true of two-way seats, which can be used both forward and rear facing. This is another good reason why you should ask the retailer to demonstrate how to fit the seat correctly. You should also read the fitting instructions carefully and keep them in a convenient place. Make sure that the adult belt passes through all of the correct belt-guides and that the buckle isn't bent or lying on the seat frame. Some seats offer an 'alternative belt route' to help you avoid contact between the buckle and frame.

Child seats must be fitted tightly and securely

To ensure you give maximum protection to your child, place the seat in the car and kneel into it to compress the car seat cushion whilst pulling the adult seat belt as tight as possible. You should be able to get it so tight that if you try to rock the child seat from side-to-side or front-to-back the car too will rock.

Belts can work loose 

Make sure that you check the seat before every journey and retighten it if necessary.

Harnesses should lie flat on the child

There should be no twists in the webbing and they should be comfortably tight. Place you hand flat on your child's chest and pull the harness up tight against it for the ideal adjustment.

Booster seats

Booster seats are light and are popular with children – if your child is happy she or he is less likely to distract you while you're driving.

Features

Fitting Tips

• The diagonal part of the belt should lie across the child's shoulder, not against the neck.
• The lap part of the belt should lie across the top of the child's thighs, not around the abdomen.
• Belts should lie flat on the child – avoid twists, which can increase the loads on the child in a crash.
• Never pass the diagonal part of the belt under the child's arm.
• Static rather than inertia reel (automatic) seat belts must be used for children under three years (ie at the lower end of the weight range). Don't worry if you have automatic belts fitted though, many now have a so-called ALR/ELR facility that allows them to be 'converted' to static operation. Check your car's handbook.
• Many seats come with a locking device that effectively converts your belts to static operation. The locking device often acts as a belt guide too, allowing you to adjust the angle and height of the diagonal part of the belt to suit your child's height.
• Booster seats generally suffer less from compatibility problems in relation to the car's seat belt design and geometry compared with two-point mounting seats. They are easier to fit and more likely to be fitted correctly.

Features

Fitting Tips

• The child is restrained using adult belts that also hold the booster cushion in place by passing around moulded 'ears' at its rear.
• Make sure that the diagonal belt passes across the child's shoulder rather than neck, and that the lap belt passes across the top of the child's thighs.
• Some booster cushions are fitted with an additional strap and clip that can be used to lower the over-shoulder height of the diagonal part of the seat belt. This can improve the fit of the belt and the child's comfort by pulling the belt away from the child's neck.