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With all the information out there, it can be overwhelming to know exactly what the best is for our little ones. We understand that the safety and comfort of your child is the number one priority. Not to worry, this guide has been designed to provide you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision when choosing a baby car seat.
From the different types of car seats to important safety features, this guide will help you navigate the often confusing world of car seats and ultimately choose the best one for your little one.
Choosing the right baby car seat is an important decision to make. By investing in a high-quality baby car seat, you are investing in your child's safety and well-being.
With so many options to choose from, it is important to do your research and select a car seat that meets safety protocols, one that is appropriate for your child's age height and size, and one that fits your vehicle correctly.
One important item for parents who travel often, with their children, is a reliable and high-quality baby car seat. Please note that not all car seats can be installed in just any vehicle. By taking the time to research and choose the right car seat, you can travel knowing that your little one is safe and secure.
The most important part of this guide is the safety information.
Remember, the best baby car seat is the one that keeps your child safe and comfortable throughout every journey.
Here are some factors to consider when picking the right car seat for your baby:
The safety of your child is not something you want to compromise on, which is why it's important to choose the right car seat that fits your child's age, weight, and height.
They are designed for newborns and infants from birth to 13 kg. We find that most babies are already physically too big for an infant car seat around 6 months. It is for this reason that we advise parents to rent the bases for infant car seats and not to buy. Short term products should be rented.
Infant seats come with features such as a five-point harness and adjustable headrest to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
These baby car seats are designed to ride in your car in the rear-facing position only.
The infant baby car seat can also double as a carrier.
Please take note that these car seats can't be placed in a shopping cart.
Examples are the Doona Stroller and car seat , which is available to rent and the Joie Gemm Infant car seat , which is also available to rent.
These car seats can be used in both rear-facing and forward-facing positions, making them suitable for babies from birth to 25kg or even up to 36 kg.
They offer more flexibility as they can be used for a longer period of time, but they can be more expensive than infant car seats.
You can use these seats either in a forward-facing or a rear-facing position, depending on the weight of your child. A rear-facing position is recommended until 18 kg or for infants under the age of 3, and you can switch to a forward-facing position once your child reaches 3 years of age or above 18 kg.
Examples are Chicco Sirio Air Isofix Infant Car Seat (0-25kg) and the Doona Infant Car Seat .
They are made for older children who have outgrown their car seats but are still too small for adult seat belts.
The positive with these car seats is that your child can use them up until the point where they do not even need a car seat at all.
They elevate your child's seating position so that the seat belt fits properly, providing maximum safety during a car ride.
Booster seats are typically designed for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat and weigh between 18kg and 54 kg and are between 101 and160 cm tall.
When choosing a booster seat, it's important to consider the weight and ensure that it's lightweight and easy to move around, especially if you plan on switching it between different cars or traveling with it.
However, the weight of the booster seat should not be the only factor to consider - safety and proper fit are also crucial considerations when selecting a booster seat for your child.
Examples are the Joie Trillo Booster, which is available for rent, the Chelino Phantom Booster, which is also available for rent and the Chelino Revo Booster (9-36kg)
The seats are designed to be used with a stroller, making them a convenient option for parents who want to travel with their babies.
These car seats can be easily attached and detached from the stroller, providing an easy transition from car to stroller.
The car seats are made to fit newborns and it can be used from birth to 13kg.
Examples are Babytrend Expedition Travel System with Latch base and the Bounce Travel System
A full booster seat is made for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat but are not yet tall enough to use a seat belt alone.
A full booster seat raise the child to the correct height, allowing the seat belt to fit properly across the child's lap and shoulder.
These seats are typically designed for children who weigh between 18kg and 54 kg and who are between the height of 1,1 m and 1,60 m tall.
These seats are similar to booster seats but do not have a backrest.
Ideally these seats are for children who have outgrown their high-back booster seats.
It's important to consider the weight of the backless booster seat, especially if you have plans on traveling with it or switching it between different vehicles.
The Backless Booster seats are designed for children who weigh at least 18 kg and are 4 years of age.
Foe example
Car seats come with a variety of features that make them safe and comfortable for babies and young children.
Here are some of the most common features found in car seats:
What is the difference between Isofix vs non-isofix:
1. Non-isofix seats are installed with the safety belt of the vehicle and the installation is called seat belt method or non-isofix installation.
Top-rated non-isofix car seats:
2. An Isofix child seat does not make use of the vehicle’s seat belt but is anchored by the corresponding fitting points in the car. The fitting points are two rigid anchors on the car seat that attaches to two anchor points on the back seat of your car. An additional top tether or support leg is used to prevent the child seat titling or rotating in an impact.
Top-rated isofix car seats:
Is Isofix seats safer?
Studies show that both ISOfix and non-isofix child car seats offer almost the same level of protection when used correctly, but Industry data suggests that about 70 percent of parents wrongly install car seats and therefore Isofix seats are safer.
Be aware that Isofit and Isofix are not the same thing.
ISOfix and non-ISOfix car seats differ in their fitting systems, which are designed for use with specific cars. A non-Isofix car seat requires installation using a seat belt, whereas an Isofix car seat can be easily attached to the car's dedicated Isofix anchorage points.
ISOFIX - The car seat fitting system is standardized globally, and it comes with an automatic locking mechanism that attaches your car seat or car seat base to two metal clips (known as Isofix fixing points) located between the seats of your vehicle. With this system, there is no longer any requirement to use the seat belt. Isofix applies to all Groups: 0/0+ and Group 1, 2 and 3 car seats
Examples are the Joie Bold Isofix (9 - 36kg) and the Joie Spin Isofix (0 - 18kg)
Isofit seats still makes use of the vehicle's Isofix anchor points but, unlike Isofix, uses the vehicle's built-in three-point seatbelt to restrain the child. In other words, it is a double installation method. Isofit applies to Group 1, 2 and 3 car seats.
Top 5 best isofit car seats in South Africa:
Installing a car seat can be overwhelming that is why we provide a step-by-step image as well as a guide below to make the installation process easier.
Here is a general guide on how to install the different types of car seats:
Remember to always read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before installing any car seat. Please note that it is recommended to have your car seat installation checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure proper installation and maximum safety for your child.
In private cars, 93% of South African children under 12 are not in car seats. (Automobile Association, AA)
2. A car seat reduces the risk of your child dying by up to 71% and reduces the need for hospitalisation by 69%.
3. Transport accidents are the leading accurately recorded cause of non-natural death in children under 14 in South Africa. (Stats SA, 2018)
4. The majority of car accidents happen close to home – one study shows 52% within 8km and 77% within 25km. So “just up the road” means nothing.
5. Africa has 2% of the world's cars but 20% of road deaths. (ITF Summit 2018)
6. 25 years ago there were 2,704,795 cars on the road. On 30 June 2018 there were 12,348,523. Road safety then and now is not comparable. 63. The leading causes of road deaths in South Africa are speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving.
7. 25% of car crashes in South Africa are directly related to cellphone usage. (ITF Road Safety Annual Report, 2018)
8. A single use of a cellphone is an average of 52 seconds of distracted driving. At 60km per hour, this is the same as driving “blind” for one kilometre and increases the likelihood of a crash by four times. (Discovery Insure Driver Challenge)
9. South Africa has the worst rate of drunk driving and drunk driving related deaths in the world. As many as 3/4 of people drive under the influence of alcohol. (World Health Organisation, 2015)
Here are some of the most common mistakes parents make when choosing and installing a car seat:
It is important for parents to educate themselves on the proper use and installation of a car seat to ensure their child's safety while traveling in a vehicle. At The Mom & Baby House we will explain to you and even standby while you do the installation. We try and have installation video's for most of our seats on our Youtube channel.
The method for cleaning car seats depends on the type of material the seats are made of.
Looking for a cleaning service?
At our shop we clean baby goods with a turn around time of 48 hours, weather permitting. We make use of a high pressure Karcher machine and only use non-toxic products. Find our prices by clicking on the link:
https://babyhouse.co.za/shop/used/cleaning-service/
Here are some tips for cleaning different types of car seats:
Note: Always test a small, inconspicuous area of the car seat first before applying any cleaner to ensure that it doesn't cause discoloration or damage to the material.
Do not leave your seat to dry outside in the sun for prolonged periods of time. The car seat covers in dark colours like black and navy will fade quickly.
A car seat should be used from the moment a baby is brought home from the hospital, and until they are at least 12 years old or have outgrown the seat's height and weight limits.
A car seat for your child should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, either using the vehicle's seat belt or Isofix installation method. The seat should be securely attached and have minimal movement when pulled from side to side or front to back. It is important to ensure that the seat is installed correctly to ensure maximum safety for the child.
The car seat should be replaced if it has been involved in a moderate to severe car crash if it has expired (most seats have an expiration date of 6-10 years), if it has been recalled by the manufacturer, or if it shows signs of wear and tear such as cracks or fraying straps.
The best baby car seat newborn is the Chicco KeyFit 30 with a rating of 9.8 out of 10; Peg Perego Primo Viaggio with a rating of 9.8 out of 10 and the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX.
The amount of time a baby can stay in an infant car seat depends on the specific seat and the baby's age, weight, and height. However, as a general guideline, babies should remain in a rear-facing infant car seat until they are at least 2 years old or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
It's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the specific car seat model, as some car seats may have lower weight or height limits than others. Once a baby outgrows their infant car seat, they can transition to a larger, rear-facing convertible car seat or a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
Infants should be in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2 or the highest weight/height allowed by the seat's manufacturer. Follow specific guidelines as some seats have lower limits. Then, use a forward-facing car seat with a harness, up to the highest weight/height allowed. After that, a booster seat is recommended until the child is 1,21m tall and between 8-12 years old. Finally, children can use a seat belt alone if it fits properly.
The baby car seat Graco is a well-known brand that manufactures various baby products, including baby car seats. Graco offers a range of car seats that cater to different ages, sizes, and needs of children. Some of the popular Graco car seats for children include the Graco SnugRide, Graco Extend2Fit, Graco 4Ever, and Graco Nautilus, among others. Each of these car seats offers different features and benefits, so it is important to research and select the one that meets the safety standards and requirements for your child.
Doona Infant Car Seat and Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System are two of the best baby car seat and strollers.
1. Use a sunshade: Install a sunshade on the car's windows to block the direct sunlight from entering the car and heating up the interior.
2. Keep the car cool: Turn on the air conditioning or use a fan to keep the car's interior cool and comfortable for your child.
3. Dress your child appropriately: Dress your child in light-colored, lightweight, and breathable clothing. Avoid dressing your child in thick or heavy clothing that may cause them to overheat.
4. Use a cooling pad: Place a cooling pad or a damp cloth on the car seat to help regulate your child's body temperature.
5. Schedule trips during cooler times: Avoid traveling during the hottest part of the day, and schedule trips during cooler times such as early in the morning or late in the evening.
Remember to never leave your child unattended in a hot car, as it can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening.
The manufacturer of Babyark child seats has employed advanced technology and premium materials to create a product that ensures the maximum safety of your child while traveling in the car. As a result, they have rightfully claimed the title of the "world's safest" car seat for their product.
The Graco 4Ever DLX has been named the best child car seat, while the Cybex Aton 2 takes the title for the best infant car seat. For those on a budget, the Chicco Keyfit 30 is the best choice for a child car seat. The Doona Infant Car Seat is the best for stroller conversion and last but not least, if you're looking for an extended rear-facing car seat, the Britax Boulevard Clicktight ARB is the top pick.
Graco 4Ever DLX is the best overall.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is recommended that infants ride in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2 years or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. After that, the child can be switched to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. It is important to always follow the instructions provided by the car seat manufacturer and to properly install the car seat in the vehicle. It is also recommended by the AAP that children ride in a booster seat until they are at least 1,24m tall and between the ages of 8 and 12 or until the seat belt fits properly without the booster seat.
A 3-point safety device simply keeps the passenger in place. A 5-point harness hugs them tightly, preventing submarining, injuries delivered by the safety device itself, misplacement of the straps and so on
In conclusion, the safety and well-being of your little one are the number one priority.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation of your baby car seat and use, and to keep your child in the appropriate car seat for their age, weight, and height.
Remember to never leave your child unattended in a hot car, as it can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening.
With the help of this ultimate guide, you can confidently choose the best baby car seat for your little one and enjoy safe and comfortable travels together.
3.https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
4.https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/car-seats.htm
6.https://www.parents.com/baby/gear/car-seats/how-to-choose-the-best-car-seat-for-your-baby/
8.https://www.ohsu.edu/people/benjamin-hoffman/FDDB1AE123CE4DEB9D4E2F979974DE12
9.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_safety_seat
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This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.
We, The Mom & Baby House (www.babyhouse.co.za) do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of any information or advice contained here.
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