Britax

Britax

Media kindly brought to you by Britax 

 

Whether you’re preparing for your first child or seeking a refresher on the most suitable and safest way to transport your little ones by car, choosing the right car seat can be a complicated affair. The level of safety and fulfilment of Australian standards is of course paramount, but there are a range of other factors that come into play which can make or break a smooth car experience for your family. Remember that car seats are not a one-off purchase decision, with different options to suit distinct stages of your child’s growth and development and align with associated regulations. Therefore, coming to grips with the ins and outs of car seats, their role in your family’s life, and how to avoid buyer’s remorse amongst all the choices on the market, is a must for new or soon-to-be parents.

Kiddipedia is always looking to lighten the load for parents, so we set about compiling a comprehensive article to help you better understand child car seats and offer advice on how to choose the right one for your needs, with a little help from our friends at Britax. A leader in the development and innovation of child car seats, Britax is proudly celebrating 50+ years in the Australian market, propelled by their vision to continuously improve all aspects of children’s safety. They’ve been at the forefront of progress in children’s car safety and have answered every imaginable question from parents, so let’s jump in!

Safety features and Australian standards

Australian law governs the use of car seats, and requires parents of children under 7 years or below 145 cm in height to use an approved child car seat that’s the right size, correctly installed and adjusted to fit. It’s a vitally important measure when you consider that motor vehicle accidents are in the top 3 leading causes of death in children under the age of 14. Despite modern-day adjustments in how we travel due to factors such as environmental or fitness concerns, the Australian lifestyle still relies heavily on car transportation. Investing in a well-designed car seat will provide peace of mind that you are doing everything possible to prevent injury to your child on either short or long trips.

If you’re thinking about sourcing a car seat online, it’s your responsibility to double-check that it complies with Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754, rather than overseas standards. It’s illegal to use an overseas car seat model or restraint that doesn’t conform to Australian and New Zealand standards, which brings us to another important factor, around car seat compatibility with your car itself. Don’t automatically assume that any car seat will fit all car manufacturer models, especially smaller makes. Where possible, Britax encourages parents to try installing the seat directly into your car at the retail site to ensure it’s a proper fit.

The testing of car seat brands and models to satisfy AS/NZS 1754 should reassure parents of their overall safety, but that doesn’t mean that further distinction can’t be made between brands in terms of their commitment to testing and safety, and the transparency they give to parents. For instance, Britax goes over and above the Australian standards when testing all their car seats. In fact, they were the first to manufacture and gain certification by Standards Australia in the Australian market when the guidelines were first created, and by operating 1 of only 4 crash test sleds in Australia, they’re able to run simulations to see how the head and body move, how the Child Car Seat shell flexes, and how the harness, buckle and mountings perform. Read more about their testing here.

Suitability for your child and stage of development 

For your child’s safety and comfort, choosing a car seat that fits their stage of development is the number one priority for parents. But what does one need to consider? For a newborn baby up to 6 months, for instance, a baby capsule may come to mind. Australian guidelines for this age legally require that a capsule or age-appropriate car seat is installed rearward-facing and with an inbuilt harness to reduce impact on a baby’s vulnerable head and neck, in the event of a collision. For children 6 months and up to 4 years of age, it’s required that children are to use a rear- or forward-facing car restraint with an inbuilt harness. Many experts including Britax believe the longer the better for rear-facing car seat setups, with children permitted to stay rear-facing up to approximately 2-3 years of age, or until they’ve reached the maximum height allowance.

Age guidelines are a useful indicator and used by lawmakers and car seat manufacturers for a reason, but considering some children develop physically slower or faster than others, we must ultimately defer to the individual measurements of a child’s torso. ‘Shoulder height markers’ placed onto car seats are the industry benchmark and provide a great visual reference for parents to determine if a child car seat is suitable for their child, and also when it’s time to upgrade to the next size of car seat. 

As Britax cautions, “Only move your child out of their seat when they have exceeded the upper height markers on their current restraint and can no longer sit comfortably in it – keeping them rear-facing for longer, which is so much safer.” This advice is echoed by The Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital who remark that children should ultimately travel in a restraint matched to their height and not their age, when considering relevant state laws.

Getting a car seat properly fitted

If purchasing the right car seat isn’t daunting enough, parents or caregivers will also be faced with the prospect of fitting it correctly, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher. While Australia has very high levels of child restraint use (99%), it’s estimated that more than half of child restraints are used incorrectly, and nearly 40% are used in a way that would impair crash performance, according to data from Transurban. 

With user error so common, being educated from the outset and leaning on professional help to get your car seat fitted, is strongly recommended. Especially if it’s your first time installing one. To find a restraint fitting station in your area, check with your council or via the Transurban/Kidsafe website. If you’re proceeding with the installation yourself, it is vital to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, and still wise to get your handiwork checked off by a trained professional. 

Mindful of the difficulties parents and caregivers can face in fitting a child restraint, Britax have developed technology in their products aimed at reducing the chance of misuse, including their unique, patented Clicktight Installation System™ that provides easier, more secure installation every time.

Consider your lifestyle arrangements.

In the words of Britax, good car seats aren’t just safe, they’re practical too. Once the safety considerations are ticked off in the evaluation process, it’s important for parents to consider how their lifestyle may predispose them to one car seat option over another. Here are some questions to ask before taking the plunge: 

  • Are you purchasing a car seat for your first child or a second/third?
  • Do you travel in the car a lot?
  • What type of car do you have?
  • Do you move car seats between cars eg: Grandparents or carers?
  • Will there be multiple car seat configurations due to more than one child?
  • Are you preparing for a low-birth child?

If car travel is frequent and will be maintained after your baby is born, you might be best suited to a capsule as a first car seat, for ease of use including stroller attachment for outings. Similarly, if you tend to transport friends or embark on road trips, and once your child gets a little older, you’ll benefit from foldable booster seats for easy storage.

Speaking of car seat installation and removal, determining the relevant anchorage points of your car (check your car manual) is also a must. For instance, if your car has ISOFIX – a universal product standard for attaching child seats to vehicles – then you may want to ensure your chosen car seat is compatible with this system of securing the child car seat to a bracket at the base of the seat, rather than relying on the car seatbelt to tether the car seat. Learn more about car anchorage points here.

And if you’re expecting delivery of a low-birth child, you’ll need to choose a capsule that has been specifically tested and approved for use with premature and low birth weight.

Which types of car seats are available?

Ok, so now that we’ve now established those ground rules, what do car seat types look like, practically speaking? If you’re looking for car seats that will keep up with your child’s developmental journey, consider the Britax range outlined below:

The only capsule in Australia tested and approved for use with premature and low birth weight infants without restrictive medical conditions, this is an ideal choice for parents preparing for the arrival of a low birth child. It features high sidewalls to provide maximum side impact protection and also utilises ISOFLEX™ connectors. This connector compatibility means that if your car is equipped with ISOFIX, it will ensure an easier installation, correct fit and a safer car journey every time.

Want to enjoy the next generation of car seat technology? This convertible car seat model features the unique, patented ClickTight Installation system technology for quick, effortless and secure child restraint. Furthermore, it’s the only 0-4 years car seat with deployable Advanced SICT (Side Impact Cushion Technology) which helps reduce crash forces in the event of a side collision.

It’s also a winner for budget-conscious parents looking for the utmost value from a car seat, enabling rearward facing setup for longer – up to 2-3 years – plus the ability to switch to forward facing from 12 months to 4 years of age. This is the only Australian car seat with Ventilations Zones in rearward facing mode, which helps keep your baby cool all year round. And if that’s not enough, it also includes Installation Assistant – a rearward facing level indicator to check if your car seat is positioned at the correct angle.

Incorporating the above mentioned ClickTight Installation and Advanced SICT technology – both firsts for Australian car seats in this 6-month to 8 years age bracket – the b-grow model also features a Grow-With-You™ adjustable Crotch Buckle that accommodates your child’s growing frame. Britax has also added XL seating capacity and comfort features, while allowing for adjustment without the need to re-install the seat – allowing parent and child to be on the move quicker and with less stress!

The only booster seat in Australia tested and approved for up to 10 years of age, this accommodates children up to 135cm (approx) in height. Once your child reaches the point in which they can move from a 5-point harness to a belt-positioned device (otherwise referred to as a booster seat), the Kid Guard presents the pinnacle of booster seat longevity; serving them until they meet the maximum height markers and no longer need a car seat. Expandable lower side wings? Check! Extendable seat base? Check!

It also features Active Head Restraint™ (AHR™), 9-points adjustable headrest, and ensures the adult lap belt is always in an ideal position from shoulder to pelvic bones, meaning that it truly grows with your child. And due to its slimline design, it’s also a great choice for larger families where two or three children are in the mix, easily accommodating 3 across the back for the majority of vehicles.

Look at comfort and fabrics

Last but certainly not least in our list of considerations when choosing the right car seat, you’ll need to evaluate the comfort level and fabric. Remember, the right car seat during a child’s development can make all the difference not only in terms of safety, but also in your child feeling comfortable and at ease with car trips, versus frustrated and dreading entry into the car. If you can recall the previous generation of child car seats, perhaps from when you were a child, you’ll notice they’ve become more advanced and user-friendly. For example, many seats now come with memory foam for added comfort, such as the Britax Safe-n-Sound +Series. The industry has also responded to growing awareness of manufacturing materials that are and are not suitable for exposure to infants and growing children.

Discerning parents will want the convenience of high-performance fabrics that make it hassle-free to clean up the inevitable spills and baby fluids, without sacrificing their child’s health or comfort. Britax is answering the call with their efforts to craft the ideal car seat fabrics that keep your seated child happier and healthier. Using Thermo5® and also Nanotex® technology in its Safe-n-Sound tex Series, Britax explains that this advanced fabric is naturally resistant to stains and moisture, providing comfort with hygiene and convenience.

Investing in the right child car seat will pay dividends in giving you peace of mind that you are providing the utmost protection for your child while supporting greater mobility within your family. So, consider everything we’ve outlined when making your purchase so you and your child can cruise the streets in safety and style!

Check out the trusted Britax range on their website and find them at all leading baby stores.