Car Seat buying guide

It becomes a stressful task to choose a perfect car seat for your child from the different makes and models available in the market, while each claims to provide the most comfort. Here, in this car seat buying guide, parents will get enough information on how to choose a perfect fit.

Safety Comes First

When we talk about infant car seats, it´s all about safety that we consider. The most important thing that must be taken into account is the knowhow regarding car seat safety regulations. The most common safety measures are weight-based and height-based which is currently in place.

In weight-based standards, you can choose the seat according to your baby weight. A standard chart
is given below;

Weight-Based Chart

If the weight is from 0kg to 10kg then choose (group 0)
If the weight is from 0kg to 13kg then choose (group 0+)
If the weight is from 9kg to 18kg then choose (group 1)
If the weight is from 15kg to 25kg then choose (group 2)
If the weight is from 22kg to 36kg then choose (group 3)

Car seats with additional padding are more comfortable and provide extra protection to your child. In addition, you must choose a car seat that impacts shields as they provide more protection to the friction of neck strain in case of an incident. Shields are better than harness and don´t allow the child to slip out. Car seats must provide extra cushioning to the child´s body.

How Long Can a Baby Be In a Car Seat?

It is recommended that babies should not be in a car seat for more than 2 hours a day. The medical reasoning is behind the fact that a prolonged period of sitting in a semi-upright position may result in strain of the muscles of your baby. Thus, it is good to use a car seat for the baby not more than 2 hours, in 24 hours timeframe.

What is ISOFIX system and how it is used?

The ISOFIX system is an international standard that describes how to attach a child seat correctly. It is an alternative solution to attach the seat without seat belts. It is recommended that you must use this system for fitting your baby´s car seat to provide the utmost safety.

The main purpose of using ISOFIX system in the cars is to avoid installation errors of infant seats. This system provides more safety than seat belts in case of accidents and sudden shocks. In ISOFIX system the baby seat is directly attached to the base of the car seat, hence ensure maximum safety of the child.

How to use ISOFIX system?

The installation is quite easy with these simple steps which are as follows;

Pull the ISOFIX system connectors rigidly towards the base of the car seat. The connectors are usually yellow in colour.
Place the baby seat on the car seat.
Push the seat firmly and lock into the ISOFIX fittings.
The green indicator light shows that the seat is correctly installed so check it and confirm.

How to Clean Baby Car Seats?

Sanity is important in every aspect of life, but it becomes essential when we have babies around. You must know how to properly clean the infant car seat so that your baby doesn´t only get protected from impacts but also germs and dirtiness.

Step-By-Step Infant Car Seat Cleaning Guide

It goes without saying that kids create a lot of mess whether they are home or outside. Cleaning the mess at home is easy, but if you are on the way, it becomes a stressful job. Here is a step-by-step guide to demonstrate how to properly clean the baby car seat.

First of all, take off the major messes, wrappers and food particles from the seat using the baby wipes, towels or rags. Once you clean the junk, your job is half done.
Next, remove the infant car seat by untying all the straps and belts. It will be easier to clean and reach all the parts of the seat. It is also recommended that you take re-installation pictures or notes to avoid difficulty while re-assembling the parts.
Vacuum the surface and brush the seat to remove any hidden particles of mess.
Most infant car seats come with removable covers. The next step is to remove the fabric covers and wash them manually. Once the cover is removed, it is easy to rub and machine-wash to thoroughly wash the covers. In case, if the car seat doesn´t have a removable cover, you can use a sponge and detergent to wash the stains.
Next, use a wet cloth to clean the plastic body of the seat as it also gets stained by regular use. Thoroughly clean the plastic and metal parts and rinse with the water or spray.
Follow the manufacturer´s instructions to wash the buckles and straps of the car infant car seat. It is good to delicately wash them air dry.
Finally, make sure to dry and re-assemble the seat as per the instructions.