This article outlines the options for
car seats for babies and children in New Zealand. The safety issues and costs of
car seats are also discussed here.
New Zealand law requires babies and children to travel in an approved child restraint until they are old enough to wear an adult safety belt. The driver of the car must ensure that any child under 5 years old is in an approved child restraint at all times, and that children aged 5-7 also use a child restraint if there is one available. If there is no restraint available, children aged 5-7 must travel in the back seat.
An approved child restraint is one that has passed either the New Zealand, Australian or European safety standards. These restraints will be marked with either an ‘S’, a tick, or an ’E”. Child restraints that have passed the United States standard must also display the ‘S’ to show they have been certified in New Zealand.
The type of child restraint needed depends on the age and size of the child, but a general guide is as follows:
Infant Car Seats
An infant restraint is often referred to as a baby capsule, and is belted into the car in a rear facing position. A baby capsule is easily removed from the car, and can be carried like a ‘basket’ with baby inside. Infant restraints are suitable from birth to 9kg, or until baby is approximately 6 months old.
Convertible Car Seats
A convertible restraint is a car seat which can be set in a tilted rear facing position for baby at birth,then changed to an upright front facing position as they grow. A convertible car seat does not have a handle like a baby capsule, and can not be carried around with baby inside. A convertible car seat suits baby from birth to 18kg, or until baby is approximately 4 years old.
Front Facing Car Seats
A front facing child restraint sits in an upright and front facing position and is suitable for children from 9-18kg, or approximately 6 months to 4 years old. The car seat is belted or anchored into the car, and has a 5 point safety harness.
Booster Seats
Booster seats simply ‘boost’ your child to a level where the lower lap part of an adult safety belt crosses the pelvis, not the tummy. Booster seats are suitable for children 14 – 26kg, or approximately 4 – 7 years old.
There is no set time when your baby should move onto the next level of child restraint, however as a general rule, if your child’s head is higher than the back of the restraint, it is time to move on.
What are my options for car seats?
Infant Restraints
Infant restraints are suitable for babies from birth through to approximately 6 months, however some babies grow out of a capsule much earlier than that. Designed to carry babies up to 9kg, capsules have a handle, can easily be removed from the car and allow you to use the car seat like a ‘basket’ for carrying baby on short trips.
Things to consider when choosing your baby capsule are:
- Does the capsule work with a base or a belt system?
Some capsules have a base which is permanently anchored into the car and the capsule simply snaps into place. A base system makes it quick and easy to get your capsule in and out of the car, but it is not necessary. Capsules without a base system are simply belted into place using your standard seat belt.
- Does the capsule click into your pram, or does it fit a capsule stroller?
Some baby capsules are designed to snap onto a set of capsule wheels to create an instant pram. This allows you to have the convenience of pushing a pram (rather than lugging a capsule on your hip), without having to wake up baby and transfer them from capsule to buggy. Some capsules are also designed to snap onto prams of the same brand.
- Does the capsule have a sun / rain shade?
Sometimes the shade is of use in the car if the sun is in baby's eyes, and if you are using your capsule to carry baby around in, it is a useful feature to protect them from the elements.
- How many children are we planning to have?
If you are planning to have more than one child, then buying an infant capsule is a cost effective option. However, if you plan on only having one child and still want to use a capsule for the early months, then consider hiring one from the Plunket Car Seat Scheme.
Convertible Car Seats
Convertible car seats are suitable for babies from birth up to approximately 4 years old. They start in a rear facing position, and change to front facing as baby grows. Convertible car seats are tethered into place using an anchor strap, so they can not be easily removed from the car, and can not be used like a ‘basket’ in the early months.
Plunket now recommends that a baby travels in a rear facing position until they are at least 12 months old, as it is better for baby’s neck and is safer in accidents. A convertible car seat allows you to do this.
Things to consider when buying a convertible car seat are:
- Does it fit the shape of your car seat?
I know this sounds silly, but it is definitely something you need to consider. Some cars, particularly ‘sports type’ models, have contoured seats that do not work well with convertible car seats. Before you make the purchase, literally take the car seat out to your car and strap it in place.
- Do I mind not having the convenience of a carry capsule?
Some Mums absolutely swear by the convenience of a baby capsule, but for others it is no big deal. In reality, unless you have wheels for your baby capsule it can get very heavy, very fast. Weigh up the convenience factor verses the money you will save by only buying one type of seat, then decide what is right for you.
- Does it have removable padding?
This is useful for 2 reasons. Firstly, when baby is young you will want lots of padding to keep them feeling snug and safe, but as baby grows you will want to remove it so there is plenty of room for a big 4 year old to sit in it.
Also, car seats get messy! No matter what your rule is now, you will soon discover that letting a 2 year old eat crackers while you travel is a really good way to keep the peace. You will also discover that crackers mush really easily! Having removable padding makes the car seat a whole lot easier to clean.
Front Facing Car Seats
A front facing child restraint is the type of car seat you will need when your baby outgrows their baby capsule. (A convertible car seat converts into this.) This seat is designed to cater for babies from approximately 6 months to 4 years, so you want to make sure you get one that will grow with your child. Just as with a convertible car seat, you need to check which type of child restraint will fit the shape of your car's seats and also if it has removable padding.
As a personal tip, also look out for one that has wide side wings. Car seats which have wide sides mean baby has somewhere to rest their head when they fall asleep. I know that sounds simplistic, but asides from it being more comfortable for baby, it must also be better for their neck.
Booster Seats
Booster seats are designed to ‘boost’ your child up so they can safely wear an adult seat belt from about 4 years of age. Wide sides are really useful on a booster seat (for the same reasons as above), and having a removable back is also a useful feature.
Until your child is 5 it is law for them to travel in a child restraint, but after that it is not compulsory and trust me - your child will know this! While it is still safer to use a booster seat until your child is about 7 years old, your child may start to think it is “babyish” if no-one else in their class is using one. A removable back allows you to take the back away, and simply use the bottom part of the seat. It no longer looks like a child restraint, but still offers you the same degree of safety. A booster seat for big kids!
How much will a car seat cost and where can I buy it?
Like most pieces of baby equipment, child restraints vary greatly in price depending on the brand. Shop around and buy the best you can afford. Buying your child restraint new will cost you somewhere in the following ranges.
Baby Capsules - $150 - $350
Convertible Car Seats - $250 - $350
Front Facing Car Seats - $250 - $350
Booster Seats - $90 - $200
You can buy child restraints from all big department stores and specialist baby shops, plus there are also some good on-line baby stores. Make sure you do your homework first and before you commit to a purchase, check out the type of seat you are buying in real life. We will bring you a list of stores shortly.
How can I save money on car seats?
Hiring your baby’s car seat is a good way to save on the big initial outlay, but if you intend to have more than one child it does not necessarily work out cheaper in the long run.
If you want to use a baby capsule but cannot afford to buy 2 car seats for your child, you could hire the capsule and then purchase your front facing restraint. Plunket has a good car seat rental scheme and there are plenty of other places you can hire child restraints as well. Hiring a baby capsule or front facing car seat will cost you $50 - $80 for 6 months and there is usually a bond of about $50 also.
Buying a car seat second-hand can also save you money, but it is important to check the following details before purchasing:
- How old is the car seat?
Check the date of manufacture or ‘do not use past’ sticker which should be attached to the seat. Child restraints have a safe life of 6-10 years.
- Does the car seat meet current NZ safety standards?
Check for the ‘S’, ‘E’ or tick.
- Does the car seat show any signs of damage?
If the car seat has been in an accident, or is showing signs of damage it may not be safe. If you are at all unsure, have someone from the Plunket Car Seat Rental Scheme check it out.
- Does it come with a user manual?
A user manual will show you how to install your car seat correctly. If it does not have a user manual, you can contact the manufacturer to request one. For basic information about installing your car seat correctly, visit www.ltsa.govt.nz
Second hand child restraints can be found through the usual second hand channels including:
- General Second Hand Stores
- Newspapers
- Buy, Sell, Trade, and Exchange type publications
- On line
Useful articles:
For getting Out & About with your baby, check out these great ideas
For detailed advice on Baby Safety issues, click here
Useful Websites
www.childrestraints.co.nz
The NZ Child Restraints website is run by a Safe2Go trained technician who provides thorough and accurate information regarding correct child restraint use.
www.safe2go.co.nz
Safe2Go is a training focused programme funded by ACC and Land Transport NZ, and administered by Child Safety Foundation NZ. The website shows how to use and instal a child restraint in your car, and provides a directory of Safe2Go technicians throughout NZ.
Article Car Seats written by Kerri Tilby