When you are expecting a baby, there are a lot of things you need to have a hands-on approach with to ensure the utmost comfort and safety. From cribs, diapers, nurseries, to car seats like Britax Pioneer, everything has to of top-notch quality.
The age of your child and his current height and weight determines the type of car seat you can invest in. The rear-facing car seats are the best option for newborns. They provide maximum support and safety and once they grow out of it, you can switch to front-facing, convertible and other varieties, Britax Pioneer car seat for instance.
There are a lot of points to consider before you invest in a car seat. Here are 7 things you should keep in mind when choosing a car seat.
Understand the Basics Before Choosing Britax Pioneer Car Seat
- Know Your Options in Car Seats
You need to look up all the different types of car seats available and read up about their specifications and safety features. Know the benefits that each type offers. We have jotted down the different types of car seats available in the market.
Rear-facing infant Car Seat: Proper support is paramount for newborns. A rear-facing car seat provides sufficient support to the neck, spine, and back of your child. These kinds of seats are also portable, making it easy to carry around as a stroller while the base stays in your car.
Forward-facing Car Seat: These are designed to protect kids who weigh between 20 and 80 Pounds. Forward-facing car seats are ideal for kids who have outgrown rear-facing seats. These seats come equipped with full harness and provide great cushioning and support in case of accidents.
Convertible Car Seat: Once your baby grows out of the rear-facing infant seat, it is time to graduate to a front-facing seat. As the name suggests, a convertible seat, like in the case of Britax Pioneer, works both as a rear-facing and forward-facing seat.
3-in-1 Car Seat: A 3-in-1 car seat is a multipurpose seat. It can convert to rear-facing to front-facing to booster mode seamlessly.
- Know your Child’s Measurements
You must consider your little one’s age and his measurements before you choose a car seat. This is because each type of Britax Pioneer car seat comes with its own height and weight restrictions.
A rear-facing infant car seat can last up to 15 months with an average limit of 30lbs and 30inches whereas an average convertible can be used from an age of 9months to 4years, provided the height and weight limit does not exceed 49inches and 50lbs.
- What is your Budget?
While there is no doubt that safety for your baby is your prime consideration when you are looking to invest in a car seat, budget is a deciding factor as well. There are car seats available in a wide range of prices, though Britax Pioneer car seats are among the affordable ones.
- Check Safety Features in which Britax Pioneer Car Seats are the Best
Pay attention to its safety features. Check the following points to confirm.
Multiple harness points: Check the harness positions. The harness should be snug and not too tight or too loose.
Harness adjustment: Ensure that the harness straps can be adjusted easily to keep up with your growing baby.
Side-impact protection: Often cars get hit from the side which may turn very risky which is why side-impact protection is important.
- Support and Cushioning
Make sure that the car seat of your choice provides ample support to the neck, spine, and back of your little one. It is important especially for newborns who need added assistance before their backbone is strengthened. Ensure that the car seat comes with appropriate cushioning that will absorb the impact of a sudden crash.
- Check if it fits your car
Car seats for your child will not be one-size-fits-all. The size of your vehicle will factor in as well. A smaller car will not fit your pram perfectly. Additionally, one should be careful of whether the seat is properly fitted to your car following the instructions. Check whether your car is equipped with proper metal rings to which the harness straps will be attached.
- Try before buy
Do a test run of the car seat in your car. Ensure that the car seat is properly fitted. Try installing your car seat in your car and taking it out by yourself. Make sure you are comfortable with the car seat and the way the straps work.
Our Opinion
It takes time to choose the right car seat. There are a lot of factors to consider. Refrain from using secondhand car seats as it can be damaged in some way. Newborn babies need rear-facing car seats to begin with, before moving on to other types.
Whatever type you go for, remember the aim of this contraption is the safety of your little one and you cannot compromise with that.