the harness and your baby.
• When rear facing the harness straps should be at shoulder height or just below.
• Babies have outgrown the car seat when they have either reached the recommended weight or their head has reached the top of the car seat.
Age 1 to 18kg( approx 4 to 5 years)
There are a number of seats available for this stage which have inbuilt harnesses up to 18kgs.
booster seat when you can answer Yes to all of the following questions:
• Does the vehicle seat belt cross over your child’ s shoulder( between the neck & arm)?
• Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
• Does your child sit all the way back in the vehicle’ s seat?
• Do your child’ s knees bend comfortably over the vehicles seat?
• Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
A number of these seats also turn into booster seats. Again you need to know the weight specifications of your seat. The harnesses should be at shoulder height or just above.
There are also a number of seats that harness up to 29kg and 36kgs forward facing and then convert to full belt positioning Booster seats. These are very popular seats as they will last your child up to at least 7 years of age.
Your child will outgrow this stage when they either exceeded the specified weight or their eyes are in line with the top of this seat.
Booster Seats 15kg +( approx 4 years +) Your child is only safe to come out of a
Baby on the Move will be conducting free car seat checks in conjunction with the Hamilton Parents Centre at New World Te Rapa 22nd June 10am-1pm.
When choosing a booster you need to make sure the seat;
1. Puts your child into the correct position for the seat belt to go over their shoulder 2. The lap belt fits firmly over the legs / hip area( the lap belt should never be over their stomach area). 3. Your child is comfortable. 4. The seat fits your car.
Never use a booster with only a lap belt. If you have no option but will need to use a child harness which tether bolts into the rear of your vehicle and is held down over your child by the lap belt. Again this needs to fit firmly, and the lap belt should never go across your child’ s stomach area. These harnesses go up to 26kg in conjunction with a booster seat and 32kg without a booster seat.
Information provided courtesy of Baby on the Move. When you hire or buy your car seat or restraint from Baby On The Move they will install it for free!
They will endeavour to ensure you have the safest and most suitable car seat for both your baby and your vehicle.
www. babyonthemove. co. nz
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