RECARO now specialises in adult and child or infant car seats. They are leaders in setting standards for luxury, comfort and safety and make unbeatable design for infants and children. Of course they also meet and exceed regulations set by the NHTSA. The car seats include the security afforded by the RECARO Side Impact Protection, and they are tested against the regulations set out by Europe’s ECE organisation which have tough side-impact testing.

Recaro Baby seats have safety design inclusions such as EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam in the side wings and head area of the seat.  They also have frames constructed from reinforced aluminium and the ability to customise the seat so it is ergonomic for infants as they grow and need the seat adjusted.

When the convertible car seats by Recaro are manufactured, they have the comfort of the infant in mind as well as keeping the seat versatile and safe.  The designers have thought about the best way to adjust the child seat for the changes in height and weight and the ability to have it rear facing and then forward facing when the size of the child requires that.

Two types of Recaro seats are the Recaro Como and the deluxe RECARO Signo.  The car seats are made with Side Impact Protection and buying these types of convertible seats reduces your investment into car seats as your child grows as they “grow with your child”.

The next type up are the Recaro Toddler car seats are for older children. Once the child has reached the required height and weight they may be safely secured in the same child seat by using your cars safety belts. The Recaro toddler car seats have an international reputation for excellence which is due to their high-tech adjustment functions, luxurious fabrics and design, and unparalleled safety features like the side impact protection.

Seat belt positioning booster seats by Recaro are the most full-featured boosters on the market as the boosters offer high-end safety and comfort features like the top tether attachments, EPS foam, aluminium frame construction, Side Impact Protection, seat ventilation, and much more.

Other types of Recaro seats on the market are the new RECARO Vivo and Vivo Lite which offer excellent side-impact protection with extra large head and side wings and height adjustable headrest. It is also equipped with a carrying handle for easy and convenient transportation.

The Graco brand is one of the most popular infant car seat companies and the seats provide optimum transportation safety for your baby. With its reasonable price point the Graco SnugRide with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) received praised for its remarkable safety features by leading consumer magazines and websites.

The seat is equipped with a 5-point harness with padding, a sun canopy for shade which can be folded back, and a padded headrest insert to support your baby’s head which means the Graco SnugRide provides not only safety for your child during travelling in the car but also comfort.

Another great thing about this particular car seat is that it can be installed with ease. It has the LATCH system for easy and correct installation. Other features include a removable all-weather boot blanket which fits over the seat for warmth and comfort and a 2 piece chest clip to make getting your baby in and out of the child seat easier and quicker. Another great feature is the availability of a 180 degree adjustable sun canopy and a handle for easy transportation.

The Graco SnugRide infant car seat will serve you and your baby very well, from your first ride home from the hospital until your baby reaches the weight limit and is ready to move up to a convertible seat. Like all infant car seats, the SnugRide is rear facing only. It safely supports a child up to 10kgs, and/or 74cm tall, and is compatible with a long list of strollers.

By transferring your SnugRide baby carrier to one of these compatible strollers, you can create your own fantastic baby travel system. This will make every trip with your baby to the park or mall a scream-free process, because you can get your baby out of the car, into the stroller, and back again without ever removing him or her from the carrier. If your baby is one who falls asleep in the car it is much easier to move them without waking them up using this system. Rather than having to sit in the car with them until they wake or have to wake them early you can take baby with you with ease. Once they’ve outgrown the Snugride you can continue using the stroller for a few years to come.

There are a few factors to be considered when working out if your children are ready to make the transition from a baby car seat to a child booster seat.  Some points to think through are: their height, their current weight, their age and their maturity.  In baby seat there is a 5 point harness system which stops children from moving around in the seat.  Children using a booster seat in the car have to make sure they sit in the correct position for their safety.

A Graco booster seat has a great combination of features which make it to the top of the list when considering which booster seat to buy.  The design uses a foam which absorbs energy in the headrest, has arm rests which are padded and uses a special positioner for the seat belt to make sure it crosses the childs body at the appropriate point.  It also has a cup holder which can be hidden away.  This is useful for toy storage and drinks. The seat is made comfortable due to its use of GracoPedic luxury foam and it also have a pillow which can be removed if required.

It is suitable for children weighing from 30 to 100 lbs. Graco booster seat can be fitted easily to any other seating and it provides maximum safety and comfort. The energy absorbing EPS foam liner adds additional comfort for your baby. It also has a seat which can be placed into two reclining positions to give comfort during long drives.

Height of the headrest is adjustable, which is a feature that can be found in many strollers, but the good thing is that the arm rest can also be adjusted according to convenience that gives better back support. The raised seat and seatbelt ensure maximum performance, and to maintain a style statement the seat belts are made attractive with vibrant colors.

It has a snooze bar for reclining activity. The belt positioners help position the vehicle belt away from your child’s neck. And, one of the very best features is that the seat pad can be removed and is machine washable. Plus, it can easily be converted to a backless booster seat, but it is recommended for forward facing only.

It is safe, light weight and can be transported from one place to another. Graco booster seat meets all the current safety requirements, and it is well cushioned and latch equipped for easy installation. This is an ideal luxury you can provide for your little passenger. So, don’t take time to get this masterpiece for your child.

Many say that Graco Booster seat is a high back booster seat at a reasonable price. What makes it a good choice is that it’s easily convertible to a top-rated booster for kids who weigh between 40-100 pounds. Many parents also say that it is very easy to use and kid-friendly.

These types of toys can be hung over their car seats so that they can play in the car while you are driving. Keeping baby occupied while you are concentrating on the road is always a good thing if they are not ready to drift off to sleep. Bright coloured toys are a good choice for the development of their sight.  Toys with sounds or music can stimulate their ears but if you are in a car with them it may be a distraction for you and they might be better for home use! Different textured soft toys the fit into their hands, are washable and made from non-allergic materials are always good for car trips, as they will probably end up being thrown onto the floor or ground at some stage of the trip.

Baby car seat toys are usually easy to install. Some of them are specifically made to be attached in the harness of a car seat and some are made to be clipped along the sides of the car seat. These are great toys to avoid the above mentioned throwing on the floor and then searching for said lost toy at the traffic lights! Many toys are available now and there are a lot of variations to choose from.

Please remember to never buy toys that have small parts which can be detached especially as you will have your eyes on the road not on your baby while they are playing. The most important thing to consider when choosing baby car seat toys for your baby is safety, so keep this in mind so you can buy appropriate toys for your child’s age. Secondly, you can think about toys that will help your child’s development. Brain stimulation is very important for babies and makes their time in the car a lot more fun.

Parents often have to take their children with them when they go out. If they are driving to their destination in a car, the correct and legal requirement is to have a child car seat in the vehicle. This particular safety device is critically important when driving, and was invented specifically to prevent our children from being hurt in the case of a car accident, which is always an unfortunate if it occurs. This is always a risk so whenever a parent takes their child in a vehicle, they must use a child seat in their car.

Parents should choose the best possible seat from the wide selection on the market. In addition to meeting government specified accident safety standards, child car seats are also designed to be comfortable for the child to travel in. Additionally, you should make sure the child seat meets your needs, as well as that it fits snugly and works with your family budget. One of the most difficult problems for parents is deciding on this very thing.

No matter what price point the child seat is, every seat available on the Australian market must be tested and pass the government crash tests. Just because a child car seat is a higher price does not mean that it is safer than a lower priced seat. Purchasing a more expensive one adds features which may also include increased comfort for your child.

As stated before, child car seats often come with many special features, and thus can increase the cost. But remember it is not necessary to buy an expensive seat to ensure that your baby is safe and comfortable during a trip, as all seats do offer this, but if you have the means to purchase a higher priced child car seat and it suits your car as well as having all the extra features you would like it is a good investment, especially if you plan to have more than one baby.  They higher price point seat may be more durable.

Please read the instructions provided with the car seat and follow car seat instructions to the letter. Not doing so will put your precious cargo in danger! Please make sure you read it completely, and understand everything it says.

What happens if your baby reaches the weight limit of the seat before his or her first birthday?  If you have purchased a convertible seat you can change the set up as your baby grows. These convertible seats can be fitted to face the back of the car while the baby is young and light and then converted to face the front one the baby has outgrown the weight limit to face the rear and needs to face forward. This should be a consideration when deciding which child car seat is the best for your family.

Since these are removable, a baby car seat cover is much easier to clean than the original car seat cover. You must keep in mind that the padding or cover in most baby car seats is removable and washable too.

But there is a more practical reason to use a cover; because some are designed to help keep your baby warm during winter, so that you don’t have to worry about keeping your baby in a winter coat or wrap her with blankets in the car seat. Depending on the fabric, a thick, soft baby car seat cover can be like lying on a warm blanket.

Baby car seat covers are also ideally sold as a way to allow you to reuse an old baby car seat.  In an instant, a seat cover can revamp an old car seat to make it look like new one. It is very important to note that you really shouldn’t use a car seat that is more than 5 to 10 years old and you should not use a baby car seat that has been in a medium to severe crash, and as it is impossible to tell the history of a second hand car seat you are taking a risk with your baby’s safety if you buy a second hand seat.

Please note that baby car seat covers aren’t usually officially supported by the car seat manufacturers, so you must make sure that the car seat cover fits well, and doesn’t interfere with the harness straps on your baby’s car seat and is safe. If you want to be extra sure your cover is not adding risk to your baby’s safety, you can have it checked by  your car seat’s manufacturer or take it to a car seat inspection station.

Organisations in Europe, such as the independent motoring and consumer organisations consistently rate Britax among the top manufacturers based on the test results.  All Britax booster car seats are tested and meet or exceed the current Child Safety Standard.

Some of the main and most important features of Britax Booster seats in providing your child safety while travelling in a car are:

The Isofix safety system.  This is the part of the seat which connects and anchors to the car and it has become an international installation interface which has standardised anchorage points between your child seat and your car. It is important because it reduces installation mistakes which then increases protection of your child.  It does this by connecting the seat to the car chassis through a rigid connection which also reduces and amount of forward and side movement of the seat.  Rotation movement is reduced by using a top tether or foot prop.

Britax has developed the Isofix system even further since its original release, to make it even safer for your child. They have incorporated a Pivot Link system which aims to significantly redirect the forces which are generated during a crash, away from your child as much as possible. The Pivot Link uses ISOFIX connectors with L-shape latches which also reduces the movement of the child and diverts the forces mainly downwards rather than forward. This means a significant relief for the child’s body and less risk to the child’s head and neck.

The child seat is stabilised and supported by the foot prop via the floor of the vehicle. This minimises the rotation and tilting of the seat. All cars are slightly different and some newer cars sometimes provide storage space within the floor area so you will need to check the car lists to make certain it is installed safely and correctly.

The rest of the stability comes from the top of the child seat by using the top tether which is connected to anchorage points.  It helps to reduce rotational movement in the seat.  Installing the car seat correctly gives the best protection for the child in the booster seat due to limiting movement as much as possible.

Another key safety point of the Britax overall system is the chest pads which control movement by evenly spreading the forces over the chest area and shoulder.  This also makes for greater comfort in the day to day use as well. This is due to the chest pads absorbing the opposing forces better than a strap that is narrower.

Luckily, car seat models are now available to purchase with increased weight and height limits which will help you meet these new recommendations.

The best way to keep your child safe is to choose the right type and model of car seat, but in addition, you must know how to install and use the car seat properly by following the best car seat practices.  Please read the manufacturer’s instructions for all the details. You can receive notifications on car seat recalls by registering your car seat.

Always use your car seat in the correct place which is in the back seat. If you have an infant, use a reward facing seat until your child reaches one year old but it is recommended to continue using a rear-facing baby seat until the infant reaches the weight limit of your car seat. For your toddler or preschooler, they can be placed forward-facing in a five-point harness until four years old or until the weight and height limit are reached. Using a booster seat is necessary when your child is ready for seat belts to make sure the belt is in the correct place across the child’s body.

Some things to avoid are continuing to use a baby seat after an accident, positioning the harness straps or chest clip in the wrong place, not doing up and clipping in the latch system correctly, upgrading your child from the booster seat to an adult seat before he is ready, and lastly, letting young kids ride in the front seat of the car before they are old enough.

Some other suggestions for baby car seat safety are to avoid having your child wear bulky clothing in the car, like a parker or heavy jacket, which may interfere with the harnessing system of the car seat or trying to bundle your child into the seat with a blanket around the baby, underneath the safety straps.

Lastly, you can consider taking your car to a car seat inspection station where they can check the baby seat and let you know if you child seat is safely installed and being used correctly.

There are different types of booster seats available with Australian Standards. A booster with a back and ‘wings’ (sides) offers more protection in a crash than a booster cushion with no back. The back and wings will also support your child while your child sleeps, and may also help to keep the sash in the correct place.

Use the booster for as long as your child fits in the seat or until your child’s eyes are at the same level as the top of the booster seat. Get a booster that suits your child’s weight and size. The booster comes with all the information that you will need. Do not be tempted to put your child in a restraint that is too big on the grounds that the child will grow into it.

If you use a booster seat with a lap-only seat belt, you must also use a child safety harness. The top part of the harness connects to your car’s child restraint anchorage, and the two shoulder straps hold the upper part of your child’s body. The car’s lap-only seat belt goes through a pair of loops at the other end of the harness. The harness has an upper pair of loops and a lower pair of loops. Choose the pair that suits your child’s height. The lap-only seat belt holds the harness and the booster in place.

Make sure that you use the harness the correct way. The lap-only seat belt must be firm and it must sit across your child’s thighs, going from hip bone to hip bone. It must not move onto your child’s abdomen. First, adjust the lap-only seat belt until it is firm; then remove the slack from the shoulder straps of the harness, but not so much that the lap belt is moved up onto your child’s abdomen.

Child harnesses must be used to provide torso restraint with a lap only belt, but they may also be used with lap-sash seat belts to provide better protection in a crash. You can purchase a three-bar slide/gated buckle to allow the lap-sash belts to be threaded through the harness loops.

The National Transport Commission would strongly recommend that from the ages of four to seven the additional Child Safety Harness is used in conjunction with a baby booster car seat to help restrain the upper part of a child’s body as well as keeping the belt around the hip area tight.

It is very important to remember, the current Australian Standard (AS/NZS1754) for manufacture of Child Restraints in Australia, is one of the best in the world. Child Restraint Standards are so stringent in Australia , that American & European products have to be modified to meet them before they can be sold here. Some Australian companies such as Safe n Sound not only meet the Australian Standard with their seats, but in some cases actually exceed the current Australian Standards.

We must not forget to read and understand the instructions that are given by the manufacturer of the child seat. Responsibility on correct understanding and using of the convertible car seat ensures the safety of your child.

These convertible seats are built to have 5-point harness to secure the baby.

Convertible car seats also have these two separate belt paths wherein you car’s seat belt can be attached to the car seat. Because it is designed to be used in either forward or rearward position, there are separate paths for those positions suitable for your child depending on her age or weight. Some manufacturers built a model that has a separate path for your car’s seatbelt. Also, you must never forget to ensure that you are using the right belt path upon using the convertible seat. Refer to your manual and other labels for other instructions.

Another advantage of choosing a convertible car seat is because it is also designed to bear more weight in its rearward position. As we all know that according to the Australian Safety Standards, the safest position for the child is rearward. With this, the parents can keep their child rearward for longer due to the higher limit provided by the convertible car seats.

For forward facing, convertible car seat also has increased weight limits too. Because of these, parents can use this car seat for a longer time, because this can be used when driving the newborn from hospital to their home up to the age before switching for a booster seat. Buying this more expensive convertible car seat is a smarter choice and an efficient option.