May 23 2008
Tips for Car Seat Selection
I have used 4 different car seats for my kids, 1 was borrowed and 3 were purchased. From trial and error, I’ve learnt the painful way to buy one that we truly like and affordable.
Here I would like to share my experience with you. Before I begin, I would just like to emphasize again that using a car seat for you kid is worth what you pay, for their lives and yours. Not believe? Watch the video below (sorry got to use this again)!
TIPS FOR CAR SEAT SELECTION
1. Do not buy secondhand car seats
The main reason why you should not buy a secondhand car seat is the safety issue. Unless you know this family very well, that you are aware of their driving history including all minor accidents, you should not but their used car seat. Remember, all car seats are designed to absorb impact only once. If there is already an accident and your child was protected, get the car seat inspected by an expert (where to find??) or better get it replaced. The parts may not safe the child the second time.
2. Do not borrow car seats
There are occasions when relatives offer to lend you their used car seats, for as long as they do not need it. That is, they might get pregnant again and might need to take it back for the newborns. By then, you’d need to buy a new one and you’d probably need the new car seat for just a few more months or just a year. It is just so not value-for-money! If you have to borrow one, make sure you only need it for that short occasion, and you must get your own one quickly. Furthermore, when you borrow, it is usually used, so back to point 1.
Other reason why you should not borrow is: the owner can take it back as and when she likes, not be bothered by your inconvenience. Imagine this: the owner wants to take the car seat back for a vacation ride, that she thinks her child (who has outgrown the car seat) may sleep better in the car seat? I have personally experienced this, with the first convertible car seat! I was mad, but what to do?
3. If you get passed down secondhand car seat…
… make sure the previous owner meant to GIVE you, and not LEND you. We didn’t make it clear when we took our first car seat from a relative. When Isabel was about to be born, I switched Ian to a booster seat, wanted to pass the convertible car seat to Isabel. The relative who gave that car seat to us told us that she wanted it back since we had the booster seat for Ian. She took it back and gave it to someone else! I was quite mad, coz I would have purchased a good one to be used for 2 kids instead of just 1 kid – thinking from value-for-money POV. Also, it was quite inconvenient to me, having to buy another car seat in a hurry.
4. Material selection
Thanks to DH who is very diligent in this, or I would have purchased material that might be too hot for the kids! Yes, we are living in Malaysia, and it is Tropical climate. Though most cars come with air conditioning, it can still get very hot especially during daytime. So, it is important to check the material as well. Most car seats made of material not suitable for hot climate here. Some are plastics or polymer that does not permit good air flows. Some are just too thick with bulky padding.
5. Practicality
Our second infant (rear facing) car seat was a bad purchase. It has a not-practical design, where it requires a very long seatbelt. My car’s seatbelt happen to have just the right length, but it must be stretched to the maximum to fit that car seat. Anyone familiar with car seatbelts would know, once you pull it to its max length, the mechanism is jammed and it would only allow 1 direction
(retracting direction), so any adjustments is not allowed. Adding on our agony is, my husband’s car’s seatbelt is NOT LONG ENOUGH. It was such a pain that we could only use it in my car, which is the smaller family car that is not comfortable for long distance travel! So, check out how your car seat is operated, whether it is practical or not, before you purchase.
6. Rear vs forward facing vs convertible vs boosters
Stage 1 – Newborns should always use rear facing type, because their necks are not strong enough. They need to have more recline too, and have 5-point harness seatbelt system in the car seat. When they grow up to a certain weight and height (depending on manufacturer’s spec), they will outgrow the length and their legs would be uncomfortably bent, so it is time to move to the forward facing car seat.
Stage 2 – Forward facing car seat is used when the child outgrow the rear facing, in terms of weight and height. Check manufacturer’s manual on this. It is better to go with a 5-point harness system as it holds your child snuggly in the seat. A child can be seated in this until his height or weight outgrows the car seat – usually when the highest seatbelt level is 2cm below his shoulder, or when he is too big that he cannot fit into it (check manual). It is time to upgrade to a booster seat.
Stage 3 – Booster seat is useful, if your child has outgrown the forward facing car seat, but is not tall enough to use a seatbelt. You can check this by trying to buckle the seatbelt on your child – if it cuts through the face/ear/neck, he is not tall enough. The correct way is when the seatbelt rest nicely on his shoulder (3-point harness seatbelt). Do not use the 2-point lap belt on your kids. Booster seat helps to elevate the child’s body, so that the seatbelt would hold the shoulder and chest in place during a car accident.
A convertible car seat is a car seat that can be placed rear facing or forward facing depending on the child’s needs. I would recommend going for a convertible car seat if you can afford it, and if you start early. It gives more value-for-money for a longer-term usage. However, if you have two children separated a few years apart, you might want to consider buying a rear facing car seat (cheaper than convertible) for your no. 2, so when the elder child outgrow the convertible, it can be passed on to no. 2, as forward facing car seat. 
7. Brands
I have no strong preference for any brands, and I guess if they pass the required government tests and are sold in reputable outlets should be okay. Do check in CPSC site often for any recalls on such safety products.
Disclaimer
I am not an expert in this area. This article is written based on my personal experience, as a consumer and user of 4 children car seats. You should check with the manufacturer and other experts in this area when you make your own purchase.
I would have purchased material that might be too hot for the kids! Yes, we are living in Malaysia, and it is Tropical climate.