Car seat for a newborn: is it needed and how to choose?

Are you planning to pick up your long-awaited baby from the maternity hospital by car? In this regard, it is worth making sure that the very first road in the little man’s life is safe for him.

The children's goods market offers many models of infant carriers for transporting infants. Recommendations for choosing a much-needed product will help you avoid mistakes when purchasing and save time.

How to choose the right car seat for newborns?

A car seat is a special car seat for transporting infants who cannot sit up independently. Design features of the product: orthopedic shape of the inner surface; durable body; seat belts.

All the huge number of models are divided into two groups according to the way the child is positioned:

Group 0. In this type of bassinet, the baby is placed in a lying position.
Group 0+. In them, the baby is placed reclining: the legs are slightly raised, bolsters are placed under the back and neck. This category refers to car seats, differing from them in the carrying handle and the ability to fix them on the stroller chassis.

Manufacturers set a child weight limit of up to 13 kg (sometimes 10) and an upper age limit of 1 – 1.3 years for both categories. In practice, children outgrow the classic cradle by 6 months.

Car seat or car seat for newborns: which is better?

Before comparing the two devices, we should remember the unique proportions of the body and skeleton of infants:

insufficient bone stiffness;
predominance of cartilaginous tissue in the skeleton;
the weight of the head makes up a fifth of the total mass - this, with a thin neck with poorly developed muscles, creates a danger of injury even with a sharp shake in the arms;
respiratory processes in infants are imperfect, they depend on the position of the body.

Based on the above, it is easier to assess the risks and benefits of transporting a newborn in two different safety devices.

Body position during the trip

The cradle is designed for the horizontal position of the baby: it is the most physiological until the age of six months. When the child lies down, breathing is not obstructed due to the lowered chin, and there is no pressure on the weak spine. In a car seat, a baby up to 6 months is reclining, at an angle of 30 - 45° to the horizontal. Comfort for a newborn is somewhat reduced, but it is quite sufficient.

Age limits

A car seat is only applicable during the first six months of life if the child’s weight does not exceed 9 kg and height is 70 cm (although there are options for larger children). A baby up to 15 months with a body weight of 13 kg and a height of 75 cm feels comfortable in the “0 + 1” car seat.

Placement in the cabin and fixation

The cradle is positioned perpendicular to the movement of the car and secured to the rear seat with a standard belt. The child is secured in the car seat with its internal straps. A similar fixation is provided by the design of the car seat, but it is positioned against the movement. Disadvantage of a car seat: it takes up more space in the cabin.

Safety

Considering the orientation of the cradle perpendicular to the movement of the car, it should be noted that in the event of a frontal impact this is more dangerous for the head (even though it is not fixed in any way) and neck. These injuries are typical for 70% of accidents.

A newborn sitting in a chair is better protected from emergency braking: if the chair is optimally tilted, the child’s head will not fall down and there will be no neck fracture. To adjust the angle of inclination, special rollers or strands of towels are placed under the car seat. On the sides of the back of the device there are side stops to hold the head.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that a car seat provides a higher level of safety for a newborn, and a short stay in a semi-sitting position is not harmful to the spine. If the mother still doubts the comfort of the chair, or there are medical restrictions, then it is better to buy a car seat.

How to choose a good and safe baby carrier? Is an electronic swing necessary for newborn babies? How to choose them?

Techniques and options for wide swaddling of newborns - https://klubmama.ru/sovety-roditelyam/uxod-za-novorozhdennymi/shirokoe-pelenanie-detej.html. Read the link.

Is transportation allowed in any vehicles?

Modern parents are ready to travel long distances from the first days after discharge. Today, service in roadside hotels, trains and planes only contributes to this. Almost every gas station located along the highways has a full-fledged mother and child room where you can carry out hygiene procedures, change clothes and swaddle the baby.

The train is convenient when the whole family buys a compartment and travels alone

When purchasing a ticket, it is important to consider whether the carriage has air conditioning when the trip is planned in the summer. For medical reasons, there are no age restrictions for traveling by car or train

You can travel with your newborn on this transport without fear for his condition.

Airplanes are contraindicated for children under 14 days of age. The danger lies in the imperfection of the child’s body. The rapidly changing pressure during takeoff and landing can be very dangerous for a newborn. It is safest to fly after your baby is one month old.

Attention! The danger of traveling by public transport also lies in the fact that a newborn ends up in a small enclosed space with strangers who can be carriers of contagious infectious diseases for which the baby has not yet been vaccinated

How to choose the best car seat for a newborn?

There are a number of requirements for a protective device for a newborn.

Reliability of the design and strength of the housing. The car seat will withstand the load in an accident if the body is made of impact-resistant plastic. To avoid injuring the child, all fasteners, handles and other removable elements must be well secured.
Internal straps. The safest are five-point harnesses that hold the baby by the shoulders, waist and crotch. It is better if the belts are equipped with soft pads.
Ergonomics. The baby's body should occupy the most physiological position in the cradle so that there is no harm to the spine. The best models have safety certificates - they confirm that the design of the product has been approved by orthopedists.
Mounting method in the car. There are two options: fixing the car seat with seat belts (directly or through a special base); through the Isofix system (using bases with locks). The first method is more universal.
Comfort. In addition to a comfortable position, this concept includes environmentally friendly finishing material, the presence of headrests, bolsters under the neck and head, and a protective visor.
European certificate of conformity ECE R44/04 or GOST R41.44-2005. A product certified according to European standards must undergo crash tests and meet all safety standards.

Important to remember! To ensure the authenticity of the certificate, you can consult the crash test tables. The most famous expert is the ADAC car club, which annually tests car seats entering the market and publishes the test results on its website. The ECE label must include complete information about the infant carrier: name, type of fastening, presence of 5-point harnesses (designation Y), child weight, certification country code.

Popular models of infant carriers

Car seat ROMERBaby-SafeSLEEPER (Germany). It belongs to group 0 and is used to transport a child weighing up to 13 kg in the range from 0 to 15 months. This is possible thanks to the increased internal dimensions: 90 x 43 x 62 cm (height indicated with the top up). Product weight – 7 kg. The car seat is used for walking if you install it using a special adapter on the chassis of Britax-Romer strollers.

The device is attached to the car with two standard three-point belts. The baby's immobility in the car seat is ensured using internal three-point belts with fabric pads.

Pros of the model:

the strength of the frame and internal upholstery ensures maximum absorption of kinetic energy in a collision;
handle - additional protective arc during a side impact;
horizontal position of the backrest – it is adjustable and controlled;
removable inner liner - it plays the role of support for the child’s body;
the upholstery and liner are made of breathable hypoallergenic material, easy to machine wash on a delicate cycle;
compliance with ECE-R44/04 standard

The price of the car seat is 19,000 - 20,000 rubles.

Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix baby carrier. It can be used if the child is not older than one year and weighs no more than 13 kg. The model is installed according to the type of car seat - rear-facing, in the back or front seat. Mounting options in the car: with three-point standard belts or installation on the EasyFix base using the EasyBase belt system (the second option is more reliable).

Pros of carrying:

spacious;
easy to attach;
lightweight - weighs only 3.25 kg;
has increased sides for head support and side impact protection;
handle - protection against frontal impact;
there is a centralized system for tensioning internal belts;
complies with ECE-R44/04 standard.

Maxi-Cosi Pebble Baby Carrier. This is a more universal modification of the previous model. Its special feature is the ability to install not only on the EasyFix base, but also on FamilyFix. The second option is used for attachment to vehicles equipped with the IsoFix system.

The price of an improved carrier is from 16 to 20 thousand rubles.

If you purchase the FamilyFix base (price 15 – 19 thousand rubles), it will also be useful for installing chairs for the next age cycle (from 9 to 18 kg). The device not only connects to the IsoFix system, but is also equipped with a support leg that rests on the floor of the car. With FamilyFix, the infant carrier is installed in a few seconds using a button, while ensuring high reliability of fastening and correct position. The base parameters are in accordance with the ECE-R44/04 standard.

Carrycot for newborns BOB (USA). It is intended for infants up to 9 months of age. Internal dimensions: 74 x 32 x 20 cm. Weight 3.5 kg. This universal product is installed on the chassis of strollers. The model is switched to car seat mode using built-in adapters inserted into adapters for the BOB car seat (they are purchased separately).

The price of the BOB cradle is 7,750 rubles.

Important to remember! By buying a stroller with a car seat, you will save a lot of money. But pay special attention to the compliance of the removable cradle with safety criteria: this is often neglected. Most of these infant carrier products do not pass crash tests.

Models of frameless car seats

Buying modern products can be a very good alternative to a rigid design. Delivery by mail will not cost too much, since the materials of the frameless chair are light and it itself is compact

There are different models on sale; you should pay attention only to those that meet modern safety standards. Popular manufacturers are listed below

Smile

Even the product description indicates that the product is inferior to a standard car seat. However, it is suitable for calm movement around the city – a child’s trips to kindergarten, school, or developmental clubs. A frameless car seat for children from a domestic company has become popular among parents. Product characteristics:

Name: SMILE – Steel standard, SS-ser.
Price: 1000 rubles.
The universal chair belongs to group 1/2/3, designed for ages 1-12 years, weight 9-36 kg. The product is made of the following materials: Oxford fabric, foam rubber, spunbond, holofiber, three-layer Air-mash mesh. Plastic fastex, metal frames, belt tape. Available in 15 colors. The SMILE chair has been tested and certified (the seller displays the corresponding document).
Pros: cheap, compact and light (550 g), reliable fastenings, product tested and certified, machine washable.
Cons: does not protect the child’s body from injury; If the seat back does not recline, installing the seat will take a long time.

Umka

A domestic company (Cheboksary) has been producing special child seats since 2013. There are several colors to choose from, all models have the same design. A soft car seat for a child has the following characteristics:

Name: UMKA (model number depends on color).
Price: 1200 rub.
The product is certified and passed all tests in accordance with GOST R 41.44-2005, and received a state Certificate of Conformity. The chair has a standard design, a five-point fastening system. The car belt adapter is built into the chest part. The product is made of durable fabrics and has a soft lining inside. Designed for children 1-12 years old. Withstands loads up to 400 kg.
Pros: lightweight, the back seat can accommodate 4 car seats, helps not to violate transportation rules.
Cons: does not secure the head or spine; in the event of an accident, the straps of the device can cause serious injury.

Duck

Name: Dak-s, art. A11.
Price: 650 rub. (for orders from 5 pcs.).
A universal seat for transporting children in road transport corresponds to group 1/2/3, age 1-12 years, weight 9-36 kg. Size: 29x70 cm, weight: 550 g. Fixation method: five-point seat belts. The product is sewn from dense Oxford material, three-layer mesh, with a sponge lining inside.
Pros: you can install the car seat once and never remove it again, the fabric is easy to wash, there are many colors to choose from.
Disadvantages: it is not recommended to attach the product to the front seat; the child does not fully rest during a long trip.

Baby car seat for newborns: instructions for use

The main function of the car seat is to make the trip completely safe for the child. In order to avoid injury in the event of an accident, during a sudden stop or during a sharp turn, the cradle should be properly attached to the car seat, and the child should be buckled up. Typically, retaining devices are provided with instructions or stickers with visual information about the method of fastening.

General rules for the practical use of infant carriers are formulated below.

Models for a recumbent position are placed only in the back seat, sideways to the movement of the car, fastening is carried out with adapter belts - they are connected to car seat belts.
The baby carrier is placed facing the direction of travel, preferably in the back seat. The carrier is secured using adapter belts to the standard belts or using clamps to the base stand (it can be in the car all the time). In this case, an incorrect installation is indicated by a light indicator.

Read how we treated rotavirus infection in a child here. Effective treatment of conjunctivitis in a newborn.

At what age does a child begin to hold his head up independently? https://klubmama.ru/razvitie-rebenka-po-meyacam/razvitie-rebenka-s-0-3-mesyacev/rebenok-nachinaet-derzhat-golovku.html

Precautions when using an infant carrier

A classic car seat is rotated in the back seat so that the child's head is away from the door - this will prevent head injury in a side impact.
There should be no foreign objects on the seat with the infant carrier installed (they should be placed in the trunk).
If the standard belts are shorter than necessary, they should be replaced at a service center.
Installation of a carrier on the front seat is only allowed with the airbag disabled.
The infant carrier must not be secured with a two-point or faulty seat belt.
It is not allowed to use a baby carrier that has been in an accident.
If the child's weight exceeds the standard value, the car seat must be replaced.

Devices for transporting babies

According to traffic regulations, transporting children in a car without special devices is prohibited. Such accessories are designed to protect the baby from injury in emergency situations. Infants under one month of age are the most vulnerable category of passengers. Their bones are flexible and soft; their structure is dominated by cartilage tissue. The muscles and ligaments of babies are poorly developed, the neck is thin, and the head is large. Its mass in relation to body weight is 25% (in adults this figure is 6%).

There are several devices for transporting babies in vehicles; the most popular are the car seat and the car seat. What is the best way to transport a baby? Each of these accessories has its own characteristics.

Car seat

This device can be used from the first days of a baby’s life until six months of age. It is installed in the back seat of the car and secured with standard seat belts. Additionally, the device has brackets for fastening. It is forbidden to place the baby in the cradle with its head towards the door.

A car seat is the best option for transporting a baby from the maternity hospital. Among the disadvantages are:

significant dimensions of the device;
low reliability indicators compared to a chair;
short service life (no more than 6 months).

Car seat

This device can be called the most optimal option. There are models that are suitable for transporting babies from the first days of life until the age of 1–2 years. Then, as you grow older, the device will have to be changed.

You need to clearly know how to carry your baby in a chair correctly. When using the device, do not place the child in it vertically; the baby should be reclining in it; for this, the tilt of the back of the chair should be 35–40 degrees.

The main advantage of these devices is the proper level of safety; they reliably hold the baby’s head during emergency braking or an accident. The disadvantages include:

lack of a protective frame, like a cradle;
low level of comfort for the baby.

When choosing a chair for your child, do not save money; trust well-known manufacturers with a good reputation.

Car seat for newborns: reviews

Tatyana Shashkova (Moscow). My son is 10 months old, all this time we take him in the Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix: a very comfortable model, spacious. I chose it based on crash tests. The length of the straps is suitable for older children. We quickly grew out of the insert for a newborn, and only now began to rest our heads on the visor. The EasyFix base is not cheap, but even without it the fastening is reliable (belt + handle stop). You just have to put a cushion under the cradle to prevent it from falling forward. Irina Baeva (Mytishchi). We managed to save money by purchasing the Maxi-Cosi Pebble with the FamilyFix base. We ordered this set in Germany: it turned out to be half the price than in Russia. A very cool chair, roomy, my hero (81 cm at 9 months) fits perfectly in it.

Anastasia Bryantseva (Moscow). We bought a Maxi Cosi CabrioFix baby carrier for our daughter. All its characteristics are wonderful: a comfortable insert for babies, depth adjustment, and a handle. But the price of the model is a bit expensive. But the main drawback is that my daughter feels uncomfortable in the car seat (she sweats and immediately starts screaming).

Evgenia Ryzhova (Kostroma). We had a ROMER Baby-Safe SLEEPER car seat - we sold it yesterday (we quickly found buyers). My daughter rode in it until she was 5 months old; it’s quite big. We could have bought the seat right away, but we bought an envelope for discharge, so the option of a car seat remained. It is more suitable for premature babies who cannot be placed reclining.

Elena Bortsova (Moscow). I didn’t have time to order a Rover in Germany, but I didn’t want to overpay. After reading the crash test, I decided to buy an inexpensive Cybex Aton carrier chair (German company, Chinese assembly). The cradle is light and comfortable, there is an insert for the baby, a hood, a comfortable position for the child, the covers are easy to wash, the handle can be placed in three positions. Cons: Poor compatibility with strollers, as Cybex adapters are rare.

Yana Kirillova (Ekaterinburg). And we are very pleased with the ROMER Baby-Safe SLEEPER infant carrier. The child is so comfortable in it: he immediately falls asleep as soon as he lays him down. I gave birth in December, we were discharged in a winter envelope, and even now I am swaddling. Therefore, the cradle is the best option for me. The model is somewhat heavy, but it is one of the best in crash tests.

When choosing a car seat for a newborn, do not try to save money - this may affect the quality of the device. You can sell a good branded product and replace it with a new car seat.