Avtolyulki: what are and how to fix them in the car?
When transporting newborns, moms and dads have a big responsibility. A safe carrier can only guarantee a safe ride on the back seat - its belts reliably fix the crumb and ensure its retention on the seat.
What is it for?
In 2007, in our country, new requirements were established for the movement of children in a car, in particular, the rule of compulsory placement in special restraining mechanisms was introduced - This standard is enshrined in paragraph 22.9 of traffic regulations. In order to protect your baby from all sorts of dangers and at the same time not to become a lawbreaker, you should purchase a car carrier. Its design and operational features must be selected to match the growth of the child and his age.
Many were outraged by the adoption of this law - because it leads to unnecessary expenses and inconvenience, however, it is necessary to clearly understand that a car seat for a child is not the whim of our legislators and is not at all a luxury item, the installation of which can be neglected if desired.
This is a special design that protects the baby from injuries that he may receive in the event of an accident, sudden braking and other emergency situations on the road.
There are statistics, according to which in cars with an established autolink, the probability of injury to a child is reduced by 90%. But this effect can be achieved only in the case when the device is fixed in accordance with all the rules and technical requirements. Autobies are a kind of car seat, which is used for a child under six months, because in this period the kids have their anatomical features.
The musculoskeletal system of infants is not yet fully formed, so their transportation with the help of an ordinary chair is rather difficult. In the first months of life, the bones of babies do not have sufficient rigidity, and cartilage tissue dominates in the skeleton, the proportions of the baby also differ from the proportions of older children: the weight of the head corresponds to about one fifth of the baby’s total weight and, moreover, its neck is, on the contrary, very thin, underdeveloped. In such a situation, any sudden shaking creates a serious risk of injury. Car seats are characterized by certain dimensions and at the same time they are clearly “great” for infants in infancy.
The infant carrier is made in the form of an ordinary cradle, you can put a newborn into it, who has not yet learned to hold the head and control all active movements of the arms and legs. There is also a small nuance - the respiratory processes of infants are not perfect, they largely depend on the position in which the child is located, therefore it is extremely important that he stay in the most physiological chair in the car. When the crumb lies in it, its chin is lowered, in such a position no interference is created for proper breathing, and there is no increased pressure on the unformed spinal column.
It should be borne in mind that the first months of life children can not adequately perceive the surrounding reality, so they require constant attention and control from relatives. During this period, the carrier seat is much more comfortable and safer for the crumbs than the car seat.A car carrier is more profitable and for more practical reasons - if the child is often transported in the fall and winter, then it will be much warmer for him in the cradle.
Well, you should not forget that no matter how much you want to save money, you still have to buy a cradle - you shouldn't discount this fact.
Types of chairs
Carrots are such types as:
- category 0 - it is applied from the moment of a birth and to 13 kg;
- category 0+ - A kind of avtolyulek that can be installed up to one and a half years.
Category 0 assumes that the crumb is in the prone position, and in the type 0 + car carrier he is reclining, while orthopedic rollers are placed under his back and neck, and his limbs are slightly raised. This category of operation is similar to the car seat, but differs from them in the presence of a carrying handle and the possibility of fixing it on the wheels of the stroller. Nowadays, the choice of avtolyulek quite large. Therefore, acquiring the installation for your baby, you should consider the following important nuances:
- first of all it is necessary to take into account the height and body weight of the child;
- it is better to dwell on the fabrics from which the cradle is made - it is optimal that all the materials used are exclusively breathable and hypoallergenic; it is desirable that the avtolyulka was equipped with a ventilation system;
- Many people buy used avtolyulki - this device is quite expensive and the product with hands can significantly save, but this can be done only if there is absolute confidence in the reliability of the design;
- It is important to clarify whether there is a place for a tab for the head of the baby, and also to find out how many positions the cradle can take;
- Separately, you should pay attention to the labeling of products, for example, the indication of ECE R44 / 04 says that the baby car seat meets all safety requirements.
It is worth considering the most popular and quality brands avtolyulek.
Roemer Baby-Safe Sleeper
This is a device belonging to category 0. It is designed to move children weighing up to 13 years due to the increased dimensions, which correspond to 30x43x62 cm. The mass of the infant carrier is 7 kg. The design is fixed in the car with the help of two regular three-point belts. Thanks to the same straps inside the installation, the baby’s body is securely fastened, thereby giving it maximum immobility.
Among the advantages of the model are the following:
- frame strength;
- interior upholstery causes good kinetic energy absorption in the event of an impact;
- the presence of the handle, which acts as an additional protection in a side collision;
- the possibility of removing the inner liner, which effectively supports the body of the child;
- backrest position can be adjusted;
- Car carrier made of their hypoallergenic material, which is easily cleaned from dirt when machine washable.
Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix
Such a cradle can only be used until a tiny one-year-old is reached, until its weight goes beyond 13 kg. This model is fixed against the movement on the front or rear seat, has two mounting options. The advantages of the model are as follows:
- ease of attachment;
- low weight - only 3.5 kg;
- the extended sides protecting a neck from lateral blows;
- the presence of the handle, providing additional security in frontal collisions;
- centralized belt tensioning mechanism;
- Compliance with quality requirements ECE-R44 / 04.
Maxi-Cosi Peb
This cradle is a more modern version of the previous model. It makes it possible to transport children weighing up to 18 kg, so it can be used up to one and a half, and in some cases even up to 2 years. The device has a support leg, which rests against the floor of the car, thereby ensuring its maximum stability.The carrier of this type is equipped with the FamilyFix system, thanks to which the cradle can be installed in a matter of moments with the help of a special button, which gives additional security of attachment and physiology of the child’s position.
BOB
This cradle is designed for the youngest - you can only use it at a very early age, as a rule, not more than 9 months. It is quite compact, its dimensions correspond to 74x32x20 cm, and it weighs only 3.2 kg. This product is versatile - it can be installed on the stroller chassis and move the baby both in car and in hiking. The model has built-in adapters, due to which it can easily be transferred to the car seat mode.
ForKiddy
These avtolyulki can be purchased to move babies from the moment of birth. The model fully complies with current European standards, and various crash tests rated it at 4 out of 5 points. The advantage of this chair is in anatomically shaped pillowwhich helps to keep the baby's back in a comfortable position. The cradle is made of soft material, soft linings and liners are pasted on the straps.
However, such products are quite badly unhooked from the seat, so it is easier to fix them once and leave them on the seat, and to carry the baby along the streets in another way.
Graco Junior Baby Sport Luxe
This model is the ideal value for money. The brand is recognized as the absolute leader among products of the middle price segment. This cradle is designed to move children from birth, so the kit always includes an orthopedic liner that fixes the head in the desired state, which prevents the load on the immature muscles of the neck and spine.
All internal belts included in the package have a three-point device. A nice bonus is the option that allows you to shake the child, and a visor that protects from sunlight. The body of such avtolyulki additionally protected on the sides. This cradle can be installed on the chassis of the stroller. It has a handle that makes it easier for parents to carry the cradle, it is small in size and light in weight.
"Aegis"
Pretty good reviews are deserved autolines of the domestic company "Aegis." They are mounted backwards and held in the desired position with a special belt. Fasteners located inside have 3 points of fit, which makes the placement of the child the safest. For a more comfortable stay of the baby in the device is equipped with an awning that protects from the sun, a portable handle and an orthopedic pillow under the head. On the sides installed enhanced protection.
Cybex
This avtolyulka recognized as one of the best in its segment. It fully meets the basic requirements and wishes of young parents, in addition, it is considered the most comfortable and convenient. This model received the highest marks on the basis of numerous crash tests. A unique feature of the car seat is its specific denim colors in several shades.
It is very important that this carrying has an anatomical back and a physiological headrest, while the latter has 11 different positions. Such parameters allow to have a beneficial effect on the correctness of the child's fixation and the level of his comfort. The mount is quite strong, but at the same time gently presses the crumb and creates additional protection against sharp collisions. The disadvantages of the product include its overestimated cost, which is not available to every young family.
Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix
Such a device for transporting infants belongs to the premium segment due to the exceptional quality of the materials used, as well as an increased level of convenience and safety of the young child during transportation.In our country, this model in 2016 became the winner in the nomination “Parents' Choice” - this speaks better than any words that the cradle of this brand has earned the trust of many thousands of buyers.
The safety of the crumbs is provided by enhanced mounting of the side panels and a special three-point retention system for the baby. Additionally, there is a sun visor, a handle for carrying the child and a special pocket for storing small items. If necessary, the cover of soft material can be easily washed and washed from any dirt in the washing machine.
In the car, this cradle should be put in the back seat, where it is attached with a regular belt.
Seat installation
Installation avtolyulki for very young children has some features. The cradle is installed exclusively on the back seat for the following reasons:
- the baby carrier, unlike the chair, is characterized by a rather impressive size, since the baby lies in it lying down;
- mounting the cradle requires the use of multiple seat belts, and in the front seat is only one thing and it is impossible to secure the cradle securely;
- in addition, securing avtolyulki in the front seat will pretty much interfere with the driver, because he will be constrained by the size of the device and the need to constantly be distracted by the baby.
For the sake of justice, it should be noted that there is no consensus about which seat in the car to be considered the safest. For many years, experts have argued that this is a rear seat on the left - that is, immediately behind the driver. The logic here is simple - in the event of an emergency, the driver begins to automatically unscrew the steering wheel so as to protect himself, and therefore the passenger in the rear also receives certain advantages. However, some time ago, American scientists proved that The safest place in the car is the rear middle seat.
According to statistics, over several years, it was found that the rear seats are 60–85% safer than the front seats, while the average safety is higher than that of those located on the sides by 20–25%. This is explained by the fact that in the event of a collision, the middle position is not subject to compression, and this cannot be said about the edges.
Mounting options
Depending on the modification of the autolines emit The following main ways of attaching it to the seat:
- in the direction of the car;
- against movement;
- mount in both directions.
The safest option is considered the second. As for the combined devices, they are at first set up against the movement - until the baby grows up and its weight reaches 13 kg, and as the child grows the cradle is moved against the movement - this option is optimal up to 18 kg of weight. However, in most cases, young parents prefer two separate chairs instead of a single combo.
Car carrier is fixed along the seat of the car in such a way that the child is taken sideways. Such carriers, as a rule, completely occupy the free space of the rear seat and are fixed with two seat belts to the inside of the car.
In such a cradle, the child is placed in the prone position, and across the top of his chest is a rather wide mount — a safety belt.
It has been found that the best place to install an auto carry is the seat is right behind the driver. In front of the baby can be placed only in the most extreme case, or in a situation where the mother is forced to carry the crumbs alone. In this case, the child is on the eyes and the parent keeps his condition in the attention zone, feels calmer because he sees the child.
It should be borne in mind that the car seat on the front seat can be installed only when the airbag is disabled.
For a car with 7 seats recommendations are the same - the cradle should be placed in the middle of the seat, located immediately behind the driver.
The most popular mounting option is fixing with seat belts. By the way, for cheap models of economy class this option is the only possible one. To fasten the car carrier with these belts, you need to use Isofix system belts. They are installed on most modern vehicles. The belt is fixed in such a way that the lower part of the chair is pressed tightly and fixes the back vertically, ensuring a reliable and durable mount.
Due to the large variety of models, the design features of the car seat body can vary significantly, as a result, and the mechanism for pulling them through the grooves also varies. It is worth noting that if such fasteners are used for purposes other than their intended purpose, then their effectiveness decreases markedly. The disadvantages of this method of fixation include a rather inconvenient method of fastening and unfastening the seats.
In addition, when loosening the degree of tension such belts can be stretched, which is contrary to existing safety standards. In 1990, the International Committee for Standardization introduced a common standard for car autolock fixing - Isofix. In European countries, the requirements are fixed by law to place this fixation system in all machines sold.
This type of fixation consists of two main elements - brackets made of metal. They are attached to the body part of the vehicle at a distance of 28 cm relative to each other and are located strictly between the back of the rear seat and the cushion in the passenger area. Usually the locations of these elements are marked with the appropriate signature - Isofix and supplemented with a picture depicting a baby in a cradle.
On the installation of such a system should be specified in the instructions for use of the vehicle or an authorized car center when buying a car. The basic area of use of fasteners of this type are devices of type 0+, where the crumb is securely fixed by seat belts. They maintain body weight up to 18 kg.
In the US, there is a different principle, which, however, is analogous to Isofix - this is Latch. Its difference lies in the fact that belts with a given mechanism of fixation to the brackets are equipped, and not just guides. In addition, there are such additional fasteners as:
- supporting leg - it is also called “telescopic support” - it is required for the maximum firm fixation of a given position of the auto-carrier; such a mechanism is most often mounted together with an Isofix mechanism and is made on the basis of a simple seat for children;
- stubborn foot it is made in the form of two metal tubes interlocked with each other on the platform of the cradle and allows adjusting the required length for a full stop to the bottom of the car with further rigid adhesion;
- anchor mount also often found in modern cars; it is a latch for attaching to the anchor bracket, which is located on the floor, as well as to the ceiling of the cabin, the back of the car seat, located directly behind the driver; in the place where this mount is located, the image of the child is placed in the car seat.
Important! The main task of the stubborn foot and anchor lock is to reduce the overall load on all the basic fasteners of the carrier seat, as well as minimizing the “peck” of carrying during a frontal impact. The use of such structures as a whole significantly increases the degree of protection in case of an accident.
The Isofix and Latch attachment systems have such undeniable advantages as:
- strong fixation of the seat in the vehicle body;
- minimizing the risk of illiterate installation of the cradle in the car;
- reducing the risk of "diving" carrying under the seat belt with a strong collision or sudden braking;
- ease of installation and assembly of the chair - to fix the cradle on the seat, you just need to place the guides in the special brackets and firmly press them until full adhesion - two clicks will tell about it.
Important! Chairs with fasteners of these types make transporting the child the most comfortable and safe. Their effectiveness was confirmed by crash tests, which gave much higher marks for the level of safety of infants in a car, when compared with other types of fixation.
The rules of baby's fastening
Baby carriages in a car carrier are transported in a prone position and reclining, with the second option being more desirable after 3 months, since at the same time the head and butt have a fulcrum. The optimum angle is 30–40 degrees. If the angle is greater, then this significantly reduces safety in frontal collisions. If the angle is smaller, then a shock creates an increased load on the baby’s spine. In addition, this situation interferes with the normal functioning of the respiratory system.
In the first three months of a child’s life, his head needs additional fixation. For this purpose, special orthopedic rollers are used, which are placed on both sides of the crumbs head. Some parents use the usual carrying from the stroller instead of the carrier. This is a big mistake, because such cradles have low security performance. In such an installation, the child is in an unstable position, dangling while moving and at any abrupt stop can fly out of his “chair”.
When using a baby carrier for infants, the following standards exist:
- the traditional car carrier is placed on the back seat in such a way that the baby’s head is located opposite to the door, which will save the baby from injury in the event of a side impact;
- there should not be any foreign objects on the seat where the cradle is installed - during movement and emergency braking they can get into the cradle and harm the child;
- if the size of the regular belts is not enough, then they must be replaced in a specialized service center;
- fixing avtolyulki two-point belt, as well as a defective mount;
- It is not allowed to transport a child in a cradle that has been in an accident - in this case, the probability of damage to the fasteners is high;
- The weight of the baby should be monitored - if it is higher than the allowable for each particular model of infant carrier, the chair must be changed.
Car carrier is a mandatory attribute of the movement of children in the car, regardless of whether it is a personal car or a taxi. Such a device ensures maximum safety of the crumbs in a collision, as well as at the time of emergency maneuver and forced braking. It is extremely important that the seat is securely and firmly fixed in the cabin, and the baby is properly fastened. To do this, children's autolypes are supplied with various stickers, which are a kind of instruction and describe the method of fixing the child.
The use of the car carrier allows the baby to travel comfortably in a comfortable physiological cradle and protects it from the risk of injury.
How to install the autolite in the car, see the following video.