A step-by-step guide to install different car seats for children

Car rides are not only for adults, of course, as little ones enjoy a good drive around town, too! Aside from diapers, snacks, and moist towels, parents and caretakers should also prepare car seats to look after the safety of their young passengers.

You might think that they’re safest when they’re wrapped up in your arms during a ride. But the truth is babies and toddlers are safest when they are tucked correctly in their car seats. Philkotse.com gives you a guide on the benefits of car seats for children and how to install these in your car.

1. Types of car seats

There are several types of car seats, offering different levels of safety for children of all ages. Every kind requires a different method of installation, too.

Baby/infant-only car seats

These are the recommended seats for the youngest passenger in the family. The infant-only car seats are always placed facing the rear to maximize safety for your little ones. These usually have a weight limit that could range from 22 pounds to 35 pounds, (approximately 10 to 18 kilograms).

It also has a height limit that depends on the brand and quality of the baby car seat you choose. If your young passenger’s weight and height measurements no longer fit the capacity indicated on the infant seat’s manual, consider getting the next size up.

The infant-only car seats are always placed facing the rear direction to maximize safety for your little ones

Reminder

Baby car seats are usually manufactured to be rear-facing seats. Placing them in the wrong direction can endanger your little one. In the event of a crash, the fact that the seat is facing the original car seat way doubles the safety levels for your baby.

If you place it in the opposite direction, the angle of the baby seat may also change. Also note that if your baby car seat has ever been involved in a bad accident (a collision, rolling over, etc.), it’s best to just get a new unit for future use.

>>> Grasp your attention: Choosing the best car seat for your children - 3 bits of advice for Pinoy drivers.

Infant-toddler seats or convertible car seats

These types of seats are made to be easily adjustable so you can face your little one towards the front or back. If your youngster has already outgrown his rear-facing seat and is still not old enough for the front-facing variety, you can get this model instead.

You can just re-adjust the seat by the time you think he’s big enough for the forward-facing seat.

If you’re not sure when the best time is to change your baby’s seat variety, consider the limits of your current baby car seat when it comes to his or her weight and height. Convertible car seats usually have a capacity of 40 pounds to 70 pounds.

Remember: Try to keep your little one in the rear-facing seat as long as they need to. As they grow up and require a front-facing seat, it can actually become less safe for them

Convertible car seats are the next level up from baby or rear-facing seats

Belt-positioned booster seat

This is the last type of car seat for your little one before he or she can finally sit on the regular seat. Once your toddler has outgrown the convertible-type seat, you will now need to utilize the regular car lap and shoulder laps to keep your child secure while he’s on the booster.

Utilize the regular car lap as well as the shoulder laps to keep your child secure while he’s in the booster

>>> Read more: 5 things you need to know about baby car seats.

2. How to install an infant car seat

Step #1. Install the base

Set the base onto your chosen position and make sure that it’s at a 30-to-45-degree angle.

Set the base onto your chosen position

Step #2. Secure the base

Use your vehicle’s seatbelt to secure the baby seat by looping its seatbelt through the respective holes.

Use your vehicle’s seatbelt to secure the baby seat

Step #3. Lock the seatbelt

Pull the seatbelt all the way out and allow it to retract by itself. It will create a sound that is similar to how seatbelts normally retract. 

Step #4. Install the seat

Put the rear-facing seat on the base using the base “click connect” system.

>>> Worth reading: Car seat law Philippines: Republic Act No. 11229 begins at February 22, 2019

3. How to install a front-facing car seat

Step #1. Thread the seatbelt through the car seat

The back or the bottom part of your car seat (depending on the variety) will have openings where the seatbelts are meant to pass through. Pull the seatbelts through these holes and lock the seat belt so it’s secure.

If you bought a front-facing car seat that uses a latch system, follow the manual instructions

Step #2. Use the tether

If your car seat has a tether, feed it over the top of your vehicle’s seat. Then, latch it to the metal anchor that you can find right around the back. If you bought a front-facing car seat that uses a latch system, simply follow the instructions on the manual provided with your purchase.

>>> Also check: How to safely install baby car seat: 4 easy steps for Pinoy parents.

4. How to install a backless booster seat

Step #1. Put the seat in place

Place the booster seat where your child will be seated and make sure the unit sits flat on the surface without bulges or folds.

Step #2. Let your child sit on it

Let your little one sit on the booster seat to check if it fits him or her perfectly. 

Check if the booster seat is secure and that the seatbelt is not restricting your child’s movements or breathing

Step #3. Put the seatbelt on

Pull the seatbelt across your little one’s body and buckle it securely. Make sure that it’s snug enough and that your child is still comfortable at the same time.

Step #4. Check the fit

Check if the booster seat is secure and that the seatbelt is not restricting your child’s movements or breathing. Make sure you adjust the seat every now and then. Children grow up fast. The adjustments you made now may not be ideal for them in a couple of months.

>>> Click here to get more useful tips and advice for car owners.