Rules for choosing car seats for newborns

One of the first major decisions parents have to make is selecting the appropriate car seat for a newborn. It can be confusing to choose the option that is safest and most comfortable for your baby when there are so many options available.

Being informed is crucial before making a purchase, from knowing what safety features to look for to comprehending the various types of car seats. In addition to keeping your child safe while driving, the correct car seat can ease your mind.

With the help of this guide, you can choose the ideal car seat for your baby and ensure both safety and usability right away.

Features

A lot of parents are certain that holding a newborn in your arms is safer. This is untrue because in the event of an accident, the baby’s weight is exceeded by the mother’s arms by a factor of roughly thirty. In addition, the child runs the risk of bearing the weight of an adult who is relying on him, and in such a scenario, the baby’s chances of survival are almost nonexistent. The use of car seats has been shown to reduce child mortality in traffic accidents by 54% and child injuries by 70%, according to WHO research results.

As of right now, the driver must use special restraints when transporting children younger than 12 years old. A child seat has to be put in the car from the moment the baby is born. The child must be safely buckled up in the cradle before the car can move.

Furthermore, a child car seat guarantees the convenience of the young mother in addition to the safety of the newborn. The baby can always be fed or played with by a woman without fear of dropping him.

Types

Three different kinds of kid car seats are available, each tailored to a specific child’s weight:

• group "0";
• group "0+";
• group "0+1".

On the back seat of the car, car seat "0" is a cradle that is positioned perpendicular to the vehicle’s motion. There are two seat belts used for anchoring. The child’s horizontal position during transportation is the device’s primary benefit, so the cradle is appropriate for:

• premature babies;
• newborns with problems of the spine and back;
• in case of transporting a baby over long distances.

There are drawbacks to this choice as well:

• a group "0" seat takes up almost the entire back seat;
• large weight does not allow carrying a child in a cradle;
• high cost considering the short-term use.

The back of the "0+" baby carrier should face the direction of travel when it is installed. The infant is positioned semi-recumbently. While domestic doctors oppose the baby being transported in this position and advise choosing "0" seats for newborns, international doctors claim that this is a perfectly normal and safe position for a child.

The benefits of baby cradles "0+" are as follows:

• light weight, allowing you to carry the child from home to the car;
• take up much less space in the cabin, unlike category "0";
• the possibility of installation using the Isofix system, which increases the safety of transportation;
• models "0+ "are more affordable.

Car seats in category "0+" have some disadvantages as well; as was already mentioned, the primary one is the child’s position. A baby who does not yet have a cervical vertebrae may sustain severe injuries if he nods in a semi-recumbent position during a sudden braking incident.

The "0 + 1" car seat has an L-shaped design. The product has a pull-out seat that allows it to be used as a kind of cradle for carrying babies up to six months old. After a year of age, the device is positioned first against the direction of travel and then in that direction.

Benefits of "0 + 1" seating

• most models allow you to adjust the angle of the backrest;
• long service life.

The following are a few drawbacks of this option:

• there is often no insert for newborns, and if there is one, the shape does not always smooth out the inner corner;
• the muscles of a newborn are still weak, and when transported against the direction of travel in the event of sudden braking, they will be overloaded.

What age are they designed for?

Ten kilograms is the highest weight that a group "0" car seat can support. In other words, the baby will not be in this type of cradle for very long; this phase will end when the child is approximately a year old.

Since a small passenger transported in a "0+" car seat can weigh up to 13 kg, it will last longer. As a result, the gadget will survive for a child’s first 1.5 years of life.

Car seats with a 0+1 rating are intended for older kids, ages 6 to 8 months. Babies weighing between nine and eighteen kilograms can use the devices. These seats are not appropriate for newborns because the back and neck muscles of the children have already developed; however, it is still common to purchase 0 and 0 cradles+ for infants.

Two more considerations should be made when selecting a child seat:

• focus on the weight of the little passenger, and not on the age: if your child already weighs more than 10 kg at one year, then you do not need to transport him in a "0" seat, purchase the "0+" or "1" option;
• remember that in winter the child will weigh more, as he is usually wrapped up warmly, so consider the time of year when choosing a car seat.

Rating of manufacturers

The cost factor ought to be the last consideration when selecting a car seat manufacturer. Keep in mind that your child’s health and life are in jeopardy! The following manufacturers’ models should catch your attention as they are regarded as the best in their respective categories.

BeSafe

Because BeSafe products completely meet all current standards and quality requirements, they are highly popular in Russia.

The BeSafe iZi Go Modular model, intended for children weighing up to 10 kg, was rated as "good" after six crash tests were carried out in 2016. Because of the device’s streamlined, egg-shaped design, drivers notice that the small passenger is positioned comfortably.

Advantages of the model:

• an anatomical pillow is included, which can be used when transporting infants from the first days of life;
• the presence of five-point internal pockets;
• thanks to the adapter, it is possible to install it on a stroller;
• there is a convenient handle for carrying, an awning from the sun and wind.

Furthermore, the model features a detachable cover that allows for routine washing. However, there is a drawback to this type of car seat: the infant insert is combined with soft pads on the belts. The device costs between 19,000 and 20,000 rubles.

Maxi-Cosi

Based on the outcomes of multiple crash tests, Maxi-Cosi car seats are in the lead. The Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix model, which falls into the 0+ category, is highly favored in Russia and has received positive feedback. Car owners praise the device’s ergonomics, comfort, and safety features as well as its pleasant extras, which include pockets for small items, a sun awning, soft belt pads, and a detachable cover. Moreover, the following benefits are worth mentioning:

• high quality materials;
• simple installation;
• interesting design;
• insert for newborns.

Car owners list inconvenient buttons for folding the handle as one of the model’s drawbacks. The equipment also has a high average cost of 15–16 thousand rubles.

Heyner

Heyner models are incredibly reasonably priced for such high-quality products. The manufacturer enjoys particular popularity in Europe, where their knowledge of high-quality car protection structures is well-founded. In Russia, the "Heyner SuperProtect Comfort" model is a popular one. The following are some benefits of the device:

• a monolithic structure made of thick but soft plastic ensures convenient operation;
• the weight of the chair is only 2.5 kg;
• a sun visor and a foot cover included;
• four handle positions;
• affordable cost.

Users also list the model’s drawbacks in their reviews. It is observed that the cradle is small for infants wearing winter overalls and down jackets, and that the chair gets hot if the child sits in it for an extended period of time. The price of the chair is roughly 5,000 rubles.

Cybex

The German company Cybex prioritizes user-friendliness and safety when releasing new products; in other words, it modifies the design to fit a child’s comfortable position. Cybex is well-known for its high test results.

The Cybex Aton Basic carrycot is a well-liked model in Russia, suitable for carrying children up to 13 kg in weight. The range of colors is another factor drawing in buyers; you can select a gadget with a design that will appeal to both boys and girls. Advantages of the model:

• elastic three-point belts with soft internal linings;
• frame resistant to mechanical damage;
• light weight;
• removable cover made of wear-resistant fabric and removable visor.

Several car owners still complain that the model is not very good for carrying newborns who are a few months old because you have to place something underneath the infant to prevent them from falling into a semi-sitting position. A car seat can be purchased for 8–10 thousand rubles.

It is best to start using it with six-month-old babies.

Concord

The Concord company is a frontrunner in the manufacturing of products for children. The advantages of the products include their environmental friendliness and compliance with all quality standards. The "Concord Air Safe" model is the most popular among Russian automobile owners. The car seat has the following benefits and is made for kids up to 13 kg in weight:

• the frame headrest can be fixed in three different height positions with one button, when adjusting, the internal seat belts are also raised;
• a soft insert for newborns aligns the inner surface of the seat and the child is in a more lying position;
• light weight of the car seat – 2.9 kg.

Parent drivers have left reviews claiming that the device is very expensive (12–15 thousand rubles) and that the color selection is very limited.

Nania

The price is what draws car owners to the Nania chair production. However, this is not the only benefit: Nania car seats are dependable and practical products that can rival more costly models.

Drivers most frequently select the "Nania BeOne SP Luxe" model, a functional carry cot in category "0+." Benefits of the model:

• the seat bowl is well expanded in the headrest area, which provides the child with reliable protection without compromising freedom of movement;
• two-layer panels on the sides with plastic inserts reflect energy during a side impact;
• the presence of a folding awning;
• four positions of the carrying handle.

The following are a few drawbacks:

• inconvenience of use in winter – the sleeves of a warm jumpsuit are difficult to secure;
• large depth, due to which it is better not to use the seat in the first six months of the baby.

The seat will set you back roughly three thousand rubles.

Zlatek

Car seats made in Zlatek are a patriotic choice. Car seats made by Zlatek are produced in the Ryazan area of Russia. The company is also able to take pride in its high-quality products because of the three-level control system. The seats meet European safety standard ECE-R44/04 and are tested at the Scientific Center of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NAMI.

Owners of cars opt for the Zlatek Kolibri model, which is in the 0+ category. Along with the extremely low cost, the following benefits are emphasized:

• soft internal linings on three-point belts;
• a reliable frame made of low-pressure polyethylene with increased side protection;
• a deep headrest provides protection from impacts in the event of an accident;
• the presence of a removable cover.

Customers claim that although the model’s handle is flimsy and its fabric is not of very high quality, these drawbacks are largely outweighed by the product’s low cost of 2-3 thousand rubles.

How to choose?

The following factors should be considered when selecting a car seat for a newborn:

• Find out if the manufacturer has certificates of passing tests and crash tests, study the results. The product labeling must have the ECE R44/03 or ECE R44/04 sign, if the product is manufactured in Russia – a mark of compliance with the requirements of GOST 41.44.
• Check how comfortable the seat will be for the little passenger. Not only his comfort depends on this, but also a calm atmosphere during the trip.
• Choose seats with removable covers made of natural materials. They can be washed, which is very much appreciated by mothers, because energetic children sweat a lot.

• For very small children, it will be safer to install the cradle so that the baby is facing against the direction of travel, so it is better to choose an option that allows installation in both directions.
• If you lead an active life and the child becomes your constant companion, then buy carrycots and pay attention to the weight of the structure – appreciate the lightness.
• Check the car seat frame for flimsiness – the child"s safety depends on it.
• Pay attention to the depth of the product and keep in mind that in winter the baby will be transported in warm, bulky clothes.
• See how tightly the selected device fits to the seat – it should hardly move.

• Check whether your car has enough standard seat belts to secure the car seat.
• Seat belts must be resistant to cold, heat, abrasion and light.
• Choose seats with the ability to adjust the backrest angle.
• It will be convenient if you can connect an audio system to the product – in this case, you can play children"s songs or fairy tales for the baby.
• Remember that modern designs differ in color: blue cradles are installed facing backwards, that is, against the direction of travel, red car seats – facing forward, in the direction of travel.

Another crucial piece of advice for purchasing a car seat is to avoid saving money or purchasing a device secondhand. Cons of purchasing a used car seat include:

• the design may be missing some important parts, you won"t even notice it;
• the structure of the seat may be damaged, such defects are usually invisible to the eye;
• installation instructions are often missing in such cases.

Since the child’s safety and comfort throughout the journey depend on it, it is preferable to spend more money and get the car seat from a specialized retailer rather than cutting corners.

Rule	Explanation
Check weight limits	Make sure the seat is designed for newborns and supports their weight.
Look for a 5-point harness	This type of harness provides the best security by holding the baby at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs.
Choose rear-facing	Newborns should always ride in a rear-facing seat for safety.
Make sure it"s easy to install	A car seat should be easy to install securely and tightly in your car.
Check safety certifications	Look for seats that meet or exceed current safety standards.

Selecting the appropriate car seat for your infant is essential for their security and comfort when traveling. You can make sure that your child is safe and secure while driving by adhering to some important rules.

Verify that the seat satisfies the most recent safety regulations and is suitable for your baby’s weight and height. Correct installation of the car seat is equally important because, when used incorrectly, even the best seat will not provide protection.

Lastly, keep in mind that usability is also crucial. It is easier for parents to make sure their baby is securely fastened every time they drive when the seat is practical for everyday use.

It’s crucial to consider safety, comfort, and appropriate fit when selecting a car seat for a newborn. Make sure the seats you choose fit current regulations by looking for ones with a high safety rating. Verify that the seat fits snugly in your car and that it is appropriate for the weight and size of your infant. Moreover, take into account features that will keep your baby comfortable on travel, such as padding and recline options. Make ease of use your top priority so you can install and remove the seat when needed in a timely and safe manner.

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