Rules for the selection of car seats for newborns

The driver is the main responsible person on the road, he is responsible for the safety of other road users, as well as his passengers. If a child rides behind, then the responsibility is doubled.

When choosing a child car seat, in no case should you buy equipment “at random”. The purchase should be taken much more seriously, because the life and health of young passengers directly depends on it.

Features:

Many parents believe it is safer to carry a newborn in their arms. This is not so, because in the event of an accident, the mother's arms have a large load, which exceeds the baby's weight by about 30 times, and the child also risks being under the weight of a piled-up adult, and in this case, the baby has practically no chance of remaining healthy. According to the results of WHO research, the use of car seats has reduced the death rate of children from road accidents by 54%, and their injury by 70%.

Currently, the driver is obliged to transport children under the age of 12 in special restraints. From the first day of your baby's life, a child seat must be installed in the car. The machine can only start moving when the child is securely fixed in the carrycot.

In addition, the child car seat provides not only the safety of the newborn, but also the comfort for the young mother. A woman can always feed or play with the baby without worrying that she will drop him.

Kinds

There are three types of child car seats designed for a specific weight of the child:

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

Car seat "0" is a carrycot that is installed perpendicular to the movement of the car in the back seat. Two seat belts are used for fastening. The main advantage of the device is the horizontal position of the child during transportation, so the carrycot is suitable for:

premature babies;
newborns with spine and back problems;
in the case of transporting an infant over long distances.

This has an option and disadvantages:

the seat of group "0" occupies almost the entire back seat;
the large weight does not make it possible to carry the child in the cradle;
high cost, given the short-lived operation.

Carrying chair "0+" is designed to be installed with your back in the direction of travel. At the same time, the baby is in a reclining position. According to foreign doctors, this is a completely natural and safe posture for the child, but domestic doctors are against the baby being transported in this position, therefore, they recommend choosing chairs "0" for newborns.

Baby bassinets "0+" have the following advantages:

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

There are also disadvantages to car seats of category "0+", and as noted above, the main disadvantage is the position of the child. If, at the moment of sudden braking of the wheels, an infant with not yet formed cervical vertebrae nods in a semi-recumbent position, then he can get serious injuries.

Car seat "0 + 1" is an L-shaped structure. The product can be transformed into a kind of cradle by means of a retractable seat for transporting babies up to six months. From a year on, the device is placed against the direction of travel, and then along the way.

Pluses of seats "0 + 1":

most models allow you to adjust the angle of the backrest;
long operation.

Among the disadvantages of this option are the following:

a liner for newborns is often missing, and if there is one, the shape does not always smooth out the inner corner;
the muscles of the newborn are still weak, and when transported against the movement in the event of sudden braking, they will be overloaded.

What age are they calculated for?

The maximum weight for which a group 0 car seat is designed is 10 kilograms. That is, such a cradle will not be operated for very long and this period will end when the baby is about a year old.

The "0+" car seat will last longer, since the maximum weight of a small passenger transported in it can reach 13 kilograms. Therefore, the device will last for the first 1.5 years of a child's life.

The 0 + 1 car seat is designed for transportation of children at an older age - from 6-8 months. The devices are suitable for babies weighing from 9 to 18 kilograms. These children have already strengthened the muscles of the back and neck, so such chairs are not suitable for newborns, for babies it is still customary to buy cradles 0 and 0+.

When choosing a child seat, pay attention to two other factors:

be guided by the weight of the small passenger, and not by age: if your child already weighs more than 10 kg a year, then you do not need to carry him in the “0” seat, get the option “0+” or “1”;
remember that in winter the baby will be heavier as it is usually wrapped warmly, so consider the season when choosing a car seat.

Manufacturer rating

When choosing a car seat manufacturer, the price criterion should be in the last place. Remember that your child's life and health are at stake! Check out the models from the following manufacturers who are considered the best in their category.

BeSafe

BeSafe products are very popular in Russia, as they fully comply with all modern standards and quality requirements.

Six crash tests carried out in 2016 gave the BeSafe iZi Go Modular a “good” rating for children weighing up to 10 kg. The device has an egg-shaped streamlined shape, so drivers note a comfortable position for a small passenger.

Pros of the model:

an anatomical pillow is attached, which can be used when transporting babies 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.

In addition, the model has a removable cover, so it can be washed periodically. But there is also a minus for such a car seat - soft strap pads are combined with an insert for newborns. The device can be purchased at a price of 19 to 20 thousand rubles.

Maxi-Cosi

Car seats from Maxi-Cosi are at the top of the line in several crash tests. In Russia the Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix model in the 0+ category is quite popular, has good reviews and ratings. Car owners note the comfort, safety, ergonomics of the device, as well as pleasant bonuses in the form of soft strap pads, an awning that protects from the sun, a removable cover, a pocket for small things. In addition, among the benefits are:

high quality materials;
easy installation;
interesting design;
insert for a newborn.

Among the shortcomings of the model, car owners highlight the inconvenient buttons for folding the handle. The average cost of equipment is also high - 15-16 thousand rubles.

Heyner

Despite the fairly high-quality products, Heyner models have a very affordable price. The manufacturer is especially popular in Europe, where they know a lot about the quality of automotive protective structures. A widespread model in Russia is Heyner SuperProtect Comfort. The device has the following advantages:

monolithic construction made of thick but soft plastic ensures comfortable operation;
chair weight - only 2.5 kg;
sun visor and cape for legs included;
four handle positions;
affordable cost.

In the reviews of the model, users also indicate disadvantages. It is noted that the cradle is narrow for babies in down jackets and winter overalls, and with a long stay in the chair, the child becomes hot. The chair costs about 5 thousand rubles.

Cybex

The German company Cybex, when launching goods, focuses on both safety and ease of use, that is, it adjusts the structure to the comfortable position of the child. Cybex has received many awards for its good test results.

One of the most popular models in Russia is the Cybex Aton Basic carry cot, designed to carry children weighing up to 13 kg. Customers are also attracted by the variety of colors - you can easily find a device that will appeal to both boys and girls in design. Pros of the model:

the presence of elastic three-point belts with soft inner pads;
frame resistant to mechanical damage;
a light weight;
removable cover made of durable fabric and removable visor.

Some car owners nevertheless note that the model is not particularly suitable for transporting newborns at the age of several months, since you have to put something under the baby so as not to create a half-sitting position. You can buy a chair for 8-10 thousand rubles.

It is better to use it for babies from six months.

Concord

Concord is also one of the leading manufacturers of baby products. The products comply with all quality standards, of the advantages one can note the environmental friendliness of materials. The model most preferred by Russian car owners is the Concord Air Safe. The infant car seat is designed for children weighing up to 13 kg and has the following advantages:

the frame head restraint can be fixed in three different height positions with one button; when adjusting, the internal seat belts also rise;
soft insert for newborns aligns the inner surface of the chair and the baby is in a more supine position;
lightweight infant car seat - 2.9 kg.

According to the driver's parents, the assortment of colors is rather poor, and they are not particularly satisfied with the price of the device - 12-15 thousand rubles.

Nania

In the production of Nania seats, car owners are most attracted by the price. But this is not the only advantage - the Nania car seats are quite reliable and comfortable devices that can compete with some expensive models.

Most often, drivers choose the “Nania BeOne SP Luxe” model - this is a functional carrycot of category “0+”. The advantages of the model:

the chair bowl is well extended in the headboard area, which provides the child with reliable protection without compromising freedom of movement;
double-layer panels on the sides with plastic inserts reflect energy in a side impact;
the presence of a folding awning;
four positions of the carrying handle.

Among the disadvantages are the following:

inconvenience of use in winter - the sleeves of a warm overalls are difficult to fasten;
great depth, due to which it is better not to use the chair in the first six months of the baby.

The cost of the chair is about 3 thousand rubles.

Zlatek

Car seats Zlatek - the choice of patriots. The production of Zlatek car seats is carried out in Russia in the Ryazan region. Thanks to a three-tier control system, the company also boasts a high quality product. The chairs are tested in the scientific center of FSUE NAMI and comply with the European safety standard ECE-R44 / 04.

Car owners choose the Zlatek Hummingbird model of the 0+ category. In addition to a very democratic cost, the following advantages stand out:

soft inner pads on three-point belts;
robust low-pressure polyethylene frame with increased side protection;
deep headrest provides protection against impacts in the event of an accident;
the presence of a removable cover.

According to buyers, the fabric of this model is not very high-quality, and the handle is flimsy, but still, most of the shortcomings are justified by the affordable price - 2-3 thousand rubles.

How to choose?

When choosing a car seat for a newborn, pay attention to the following criteria:

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

For very young children, it will be safer to install the cradle so that the baby is facing the opposite direction of travel, so it is better to choose the 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 body of the infant car seat "for flimsy" - the safety of the child 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 clothing.
See how the selected device fits snugly against the seat - it should practically not move.

Check if your car has enough standard seat belts to attach the infant carrier.
Seat belts must be resistant to cold, heat, abrasion and light.
Choose chairs with the ability to adjust the backrest tilt.
It will be convenient if an audio system can be connected to the product - in this case, the baby can turn on children's songs or fairy tales.
Remember that modern designs differ in color: blue bassinets are installed facing backwards, that is, against the movement, red car seats - facing forward, in the direction of travel.

Another important tip when buying a car seat is not to save money and do not buy the device hand-held. Disadvantages of buying a used infant car seat:

some important details may be missing on the structure, you will not even notice it;
the structure of the chair may be damaged, such defects are usually invisible to the eye;
installation instructions in such cases are often missing.

It is better not to skimp on buying a child car seat and buy it in a specialized store, since the safety and comfort of the child during the trip depends on this.

Operating tips

The most important stage in the operation of a child seat is its installation. Both the safety of the little rider and his comfort depend on the correct approach to installation. When installing, remember these important rules:

Install the seat only in accordance with the instructions: carrycots of category "0" can only be attached to the rear seat perpendicularly; products of group "0+" can also be put on the back seat, but so that the child is against the movement or in front, but only in the absence of an airbag.
The safest position when installing a car seat is in the middle of the rear seat. It is this area that will protect the child from both frontal and side impacts in the event of an accident.
Once the seat is in place, lay the child down and check if he is comfortable. Assess his position from the driver's side - many car ladies prefer to see what the child is doing in the rearview mirror.

There are some tips to follow when using the infant carrier:

When placing a child in a chair, carefully check how securely he is fastened with straps and straps. All fasteners should adjoin the baby's body as tightly as possible.
When the seasons change, re-check that all straps are adjusted correctly. This is due to the fact that in winter the newborn is dressed warmly, therefore, with the arrival of spring, the restraints are not sufficiently secured, since the child has fewer clothes.
The baby must always be fastened, regardless of the travel time and distance.
Secure absolutely all items in the cabin. They can injure a young passenger in the event of an accident.
Adjust baby's head protection.It should be located as close to the shoulders as possible.
During a long trip, periodically make stops and get your baby. Play with him, feed him - let him rest from one position.

The choice of a car seat for a newborn should be approached with all responsibility.

Do not limit yourself to a trip to the store, study the manufacturers' websites, read user reviews, read the instructions of the models, and also check how the infant car seat is suitable for your child and your car, and only then the trip for the little passenger will be safe and comfortable.

In the next video, you will find recommendations from the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate on the use of child car seats with a visual demonstration of the rules for installing, fixing and positioning a child.