The Car Seat

Newborn babies can't support their heads until the age of about six weeks so choose one that's rear facing, designed to support the head, neck and back evenly. Some rear-facing infant carriers are suitable for children up to 15kg (approximately 15 months) allowing you to keep the child in the safer, rear-facing position for longer.

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

Price can be a concern as Infant carriers are only used for a short time.
A cost saving option is to buy one of the 'two-way' seats. These are rear-facing for the first six to nine months and then, after a few adjustments, forward-facing for a child in the next weight range.

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

The adult lap and diagonal seat belt restrains both the child and seat - there's no integral harness for the child. Often the seat back can be removed and the remaining base used as a booster cushion for older children.

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.

Slightly older children like to sit high so that they can see out of the car's windows. Booster cushions are useful in this respect but you must not use an ordinary cushion- these can't be secured and will fly out from under in an accident.

Features

Many booster seats have a removable back and can be converted into a booster cushion.

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.

DO	Use only an approved restraint suitable for the child's weight and size.
DO	Use restraints approved to the latest standard, (UNECE Regulation 44.03) – these fit better in modern cars and provide improved protection for your child.
DO	Ensure that the restraint is compatible with your car. Check the seat manufacturer's application list, ask the retailer to demonstrate or install the seat, or ask for advice from the car manufacturer.
DO	Make sure that the restraint is fitted securely and firmly in the car - follow the instructions and retain them in the car for future reference.
DO	Carry children in the rear seat of the car if possible.
DO	Adjust the harness for a tight but comfortable fit each time your child uses the seat.
DO	Check the restraint installation regularly to ensure that fixing straps or seatbelts have not worked loose.
DO	Check the restraint condition regularly and renew it if there are any signs of cracking in the shell or of fraying or cuts in webbing.
DO	Ensure that your child understands the importance of being safely strapped in for every journey.
DO	Cover the seat when parking in sunny weather to avoid burning the child on hot metal fittings when you return.

DON'T	Carry children unrestrained, no matter how short the journey.
DON'T	Fit a rear-facing baby seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger airbag - death or serious injury can result. (Forward-facing seats should be set well back from the airbag.)
DON'T	Buy a restraint unless you are certain that it will fit properly in your car. No 'universal restraint' fits correctly in all cars.
DON'T	Buy a second hand restraint unless you know its history and can be certain that it is complete, including the instructions.
DON'T	Use a restraint that has been involved in a crash.
DON'T	Hold a child in your arms or put the seatbelt around both of you. In an accident your weight will crush your child.
DON'T	Allow children to release buckles or climb out of belts.
DON'T	Modify child seats or buckles – this could have serious consequences in an accident.
DON'T	Use an ordinary cushion instead of a booster cushion. In an accident it could fly out and the child could slide under the seat belt.
DON'T	Leave your children unattended in a car.