Picking the best baby car seats in NZ out of the overwhelming varieties floating in the marketing is a challenge for many parents. You have to make a perfect choice in terms of size, orientation, style, and design that suits your child’s car seat protection needs and is also compatible with your car.
One way to simplify the search and ensure that you choose the right product is to stick to options that adhere the government safety standards. You can ask for the product certification regardless of whether you are buying online or from a physical store.
Despite getting the best car seat from the market, the child’s safety is not ensured until you use it the right way. Most car seats come with easy-to-comprehend user manuals, These manuals guide you through the installation process, safety checks, and everyday usage.
Install the seat by yourself or take help from a store executive, following the best practices in daily usage is essential. Here are some tips to help you ensure the right use of the seat and lock up the safety of your kid.
- General safety tips and best practices
General tips you must follow while buying, settling, and using a car seat include the following.
- Check the accessories for government standard adherence and certifications. Make sure that you buy the seat and accessories from the same brand to have the best compatibility.
- It is important to properly pass the child’s arms and legs through the harness which is why swaddling is not a good idea.
- Avoid putting a child in big jackets or placing bulky blankets underneath. These clothing compresses in case of an accident, letting the child loose in the harness and causing a slide down. You can place a blanket over the strap and torso to protect the baby from cold.
- Double-check all the straps and adult seat belts for secured fastening.
- Children sleeping in the car seat
No matter how great a car seat is, it is never recommended to allow your child to sleep in it for a longer period. Babies have a wobbling head with absolutely no control and strength in the neck. It is very likely that their head flexes forward and put them in a chin to chest position. This position often impedes their airway and can result in breathing issues.
Also, some parents are tempted to keep the child in a capsule for long hours as these carriers can be detached and taken around. However, these are not designed with proper safety features to carry around a child outside your car. Make sure your child is sleeping in these seats only for a shorter period, if necessary while driving.
- When on a long road trip with kids
The two-hour rule is critical both for you and your kids when going on a long road trip. The rule says that you should stop for a hydration break every two hours which allows you and the kids to stretch. It also lets the infants kick around on a rug and keep them active and healthy.
If you are using a rearward seat, the baby is likely to be deprived of the full benefits of the air conditioners. Make sure you dress them appropriately so that does not cause too much heat and open the window on the other side of the air conditioner that is not working.