Buying an Infant Car Seat You Should Know

What you should know before buying an infant car seat?

The purchase of a car seat is nowadays a necessity for families with babies, as they are mandatory to protect babies and children in accidents.Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children over the age of 4. It also states that children under two years of age, who travel in rear-facing seats, are 75% less likely to die or be injured in the event of a car accident.

The Ministry of Health and the Chilean Society of Paediatrics recommend that children under 12 years of age should ride in the vehicle’s back seat with the child restraint system that corresponds to their age, weight, and size. One of the fundamental factors that should be taken into account when buying a car seat is the baby’s weight and whether it will be suitable for more than one stage of growth. The way the car seat fits in the vehicle changes as the child grows. For example, when they are very young, they should face backwards so that the child’s neck is not damaged in the event of an accident. The position can be changed when they are older.

Car seats are secured to the car in different ways, depending on the vehicle’s model and the car seat.

Some of the common ways to secure them are:

Through the seat belt: the seat comes with a system that fixes it on the car seat, and then it is adjusted with the seat belt.
LATCH system: means upper and lower anchorage system for child seat straps. It is a North American system. The idea is that vehicles manufacture two or more types of rings where the seats can be attached, independently of the seat belts.
Isofix system: devised in Europe, it has been in use since 2006 and is one of the most efficient systems available. The car seat has hooks that extend and adjust to the child’s seat. They allow the seat to remain rigid in the event of an accident, thus avoiding the whiplash effect.

The types of car seats that most frequently are:

1. Group 0/0+: this is a seat where the child is rear-facing, in the car’s back seat. It offers protection for the child’s neck and head. It is not recommended that the baby remains seated in it for more than 6 hours at a time. Children are secured to the seat by a harness system, and the seat, in turn, is secured to the car seat by a seat belt or other safety system.

It can be found in some cars, making it easier for parents, as they do not have to buy a special seat for this stage of growth. It can also be placed on them to transport the child everywhere. They are ideal for babies up to 15 months or 13 kilos.

2. Convertible chairs: some chairs adapt to the growth of children, which makes it easier for parents, as they last much longer. They should be adjusted to the corresponding stage, especially when you notice that the children no longer look or feel comfortable or when their head protrudes from the backrest.
Some of them meet groups 0+ and 1; 2 and 3, or 1, 2 and 3 which are equivalent to:

Group 1 (9-18 kg)
Group 2 (15 – 25 kg)
Group 3 (25 – 36 kg)

Although these car seats imply an immediate saving of money, because only one car seat is needed for several stages, it is important to pay attention to the child’s comfort while using it, which may result in inconveniences. Some doctors do not recommend those for very small groups, as they are not as safe.

General recommendations for the use of infant car seat:

-Always carry children in the car’s back seat, using the seat that corresponds to their weight and age.
-Never carry children under ten years of age in the front seat.
-Do not carry children in your arms and never share the seat belt with them.
-Avoid carrying children in the back of a van or the third row of a station wagon.
-Avoid carrying loose blunt objects in the vehicle and near the child car seat.

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