Buying a car seat for your newborn baby for the first time!

Buying tips for your first car seat:

A car seat is one piece of equipment you really need to do your homework on before your baby is born.

If you are having your baby in hospital and are going home by car, you will need to put him/her in an approved capsule either hired from your local council or purchased.  If you are hiring, make sure you book in early. Hospital staff will want to check you have the capsule fitted correctly before you can take your new pride and joy home.

Choosing the right car seat for your baby’s age and weight is very important. You must also make sure that it is properly installed and fitted to your car by an authorised Child Restraint fitter (See list below). If a car seat doesn’t seem to fit your car perfectly, or if it seems difficult to fasten in place, do not buy it. Some seats work better in some models of cars than others. Try before you buy. The seat should be held tightly by the seat belt with very little sideways movement and anchored by a tether strap to a proper anchoring point in the car.  Practise putting the empty seat in and securing it so when baby comes along you are familiar with how it works.

How to choose the safest restraint

Follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are choosing the safest restraint for your child and using it correctly:

  • When buying your child’s restraint, look for the standard’s sticker on the restraint and wording on the package that states it complies with AS/NZS 1754. All child restraints sold and used in Australia must comply with Australian/New Zealand Standard 1754 Child Restraints for Use in Motor Vehicles and are marked accordingly. This Standard is one of the most stringent child restraint standards in the world, so child restraints meeting this standard offer good protection in a crash.
  • Child restraints are designed to match a child’s age and size. When you buy a restraint you need to consider:
    • The age and size of your child.
    • If the restraint will fit in your vehicle.
  • Consider the crash protection and ease-of-use ratings. A restraint that is easier to use is more likely to be used correctly. A correctly fitted restraint offers better protection.

In booster seats, look for ones with:

  • Sash guides or locators that will position the sash belt comfortably at your child’s shoulder level.
  • Features to prevent ‘submarining’, which occurs when a child slips under the lap section of the seatbelt during a crash, with the potential for serious or fatal injury.

Fitting a restraint in a vehicle:

  • Always follow the restraint manufacturer’s instructions when installing a restraint and placing your child in it. Incorrectly using a restraint or using a restraint that is not suitable for your child’s age and size puts your child at a higher risk of serious injury or death.
  • Car seats need to be tethered firmly to the proper anchorage points in the car.
  • Regularly check the fit of the restraint. Ensure clips and seat belts are done up and are correctly adjusted. Check that harness straps are not twisted or caught as this will impair the restraints performance in an accident.Putting your child in a restraint.
  • Keep your child in the most appropriate restraint suitable for their age and size and only move them to the next category of restraint when he or she no longer physically fits.
  • In rearward facing and forward facing restraints, ensure the inbuilt harness is adjusted for a comfortable but firm fit with no slack so that the harness straps are straight and in flat contact with the child.
  • In booster seats, make sure the sash belt crosses the shoulder and is in contact with the child’s chest. Make sure the lap belt sits low across the pelvis.
  • Always follow the restraint manufacturer’s instructions when installing a restraint and placing your child in it.

If you are considering a second hand child restraint check for the following:

  • Unless you are getting the restraint from someone you know, it may be difficult to check its history. Verify from the previous owner that it has not been involved in a crash. Never use it if it has been involved in a crash or if there are obvious signs of wear or deterioration on any part of the restraint.
  • Child restraints that are more than 10 years old should not be used. You can check the age by checking the date of manufacture. This can be found on a printed label or stamped into the plastic shell somewhere on the restraint.
  • Only use restraints that carry the Australian Standards mark and ensure they still have the instruction manual. If in doubt take it along to an authourised fitting station and they will be able to check it over for you.
  • Find out if the restraint has been recalled. You will need the name of the restraint manufacturer, model number or serial number and the date that it was manufactured. Then go to http://www.recalls.gov.au/ under Recall Categories: Kids, Kids’ equipment.
  • If you are not sure about the safety of the used child restraint, don’t use it. Don’t risk your child’s life.

Authorised Restraint Fitting Stations

To find the closest authorised restraint fitting station in your area visit:
NSW – RTA Authorised Restraint Fitting Station
VIC – RACV Authorised Restraint Fitting Station
WA – WALGA Authorised Restraint Fitting Station
QLD – RACQ Authorised Restraint Fitting Station
NT – Repco Service Fitting stations

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I move my child to the next type of restraint?
Only move your child to the next level of protection when they no longer fit in their current restraint.

From rearward-facing restraint to forward-facing restraint:

When your baby is aged between 6 or 12 months (depending on the type of rearward facing restraint you use) and is able to hold their head up. However, most children can remain rear-facing through age 2 years, based on average child sizes and the capacity of the car seat.

From forward-facing restraint to booster seat: Your child should be moved when:

  • Their shoulders no longer fit comfortably within the restraint; or
  • Their eye-level is higher than the back of the restraint; or
  • The top insertion slots for the shoulder straps are below the level of the child’s shoulders.

From a booster seat to a seatbelt: Your child should be moved when:

  • Their shoulders no longer fit comfortably within the restraint; or
  • Their eye-level is higher than the back of the booster seat.

Remember, every child under 7 years of age must use a suitable approved child restraint when traveling in a vehicle.

See the Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist on our pick of the carseats!

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