A child restraint is not just an option, it’s the law. It can reduce the risk of your child being injured or killed in a crash. But how do you choose the best restraint for your child? And how do you fit it safely and properly?

First, you need to make sure the restraint you want to buy has passed the Australian Standard (AS). The AS is one of the toughest child restraint standards in the world and offers good protection in a crash. In addition, NRMA research shows that some restraints actually offer injury protection well above that required by the AS, and it also found dedicated (as opposed to convertible) restraints were the top performers in each category. Ratings for all restraints complying with the AS are available in the Buyer’s Guide to Child Restraints’ brochure.

Choosing a child restraint

When you go to choose a baby seat, take a teddy bear with you as a model. Some brands are difficult to use, particularly when you have to deal with a struggling child.

Rearward facing seats

• For babies and infants up to 9kg and less than 70cm in length, or up to approximately six months of age.
• Contains an in-built harness system.
• Must be used until the child can easily hold head upright.

Forward facing seats

• For children weighing nine to 18kg, or approximately six months to five years old.
• Held in place by an adult seat belt and the restraint’s top tether strap.
• Seat incorporates six-point harness.

Convertible seats

• Can be used as a rearward facing baby restraint then converted to a forward facing restraint; others can convert from a forward facing restraint to a booster seat.
• Should not be converted until at least six months of age.

Booster seats

• For children 14 to 26kg, or up to eight years.
• Never to be used with lap belt only.
• Utilises adult lap/sash belt rather than its own belt system.
• Use one with back and side wings, and a sash guide to keep seat belt in place. Avoid those without back and side wings – they don’t give protection in side impact crashes. 
• Children can move out of a booster seat when their eyes are at the same level as the top of the car seat.

Child Harness

• Provides restraining straps that hold the child’s upper body.
• Used with a lap belt in the centre back seat – ensure lap belt sits firmly across the hips and doesn’t ride over the stomach.

Adult lap/sash belts

• Only to be used once the child is too big for the booster seat.
• Do not use a lap belt only, if possible.

Fitting a restraint to your car

Make sure you choose a car that can carry the number of restraints you need. Honda’s Odyssey received the people mover gong in Australia’s Best Cars 2005, yet the judges were concerned about the position and functionality of its restraint points. In fact, none of the leading Japanese people movers had restraint points in all seating positions and the top strap often impinged on some area of usable space.

Things to keep in mind:

• Despite its issues with restraining points, people movers are the best type of vehicle for getting children in and out of a child restraint, as they’re easy on your back. They have sliding doors, which means you can step into the car to get the kids out of their restraints. Conversely, a 4WD is high off the ground, which means you have to reach up to get them; a sedan or wagon requires you to have to bend down; and getting a child in and out of a restraint in a two-door car is a recipe for back pain.
• In a wagon or people mover with tipping or folding seats, the seat for the child restraint has to be locked in position.
• In hatchbacks, remove the parcel shelf before you attach the strap to the rear anchorage point. 
• Try to avoid a two-door car as restraints are difficult to fit.
• It is illegal to use a child restraint in the front passenger seat if a passenger airbag is fitted. If you don’t have a rear seat (such as the case with a ute) and have to use a forward facing child seat or booster in the front, position the adult seat as far back on the seat slide as you can; make sure the restraint’s top tether is attached firmly; and discourage the child from leaning forward. Remember, don’t use any restraints if there is a front passenger airbag, and never use a rearward facing restraint in the front passenger seat.
• The best spot for a child restraint is the centre of the back seat. If you can’t place it there, aim for the kerb (left) side so you are not standing in the way of traffic when getting your child in or out of the restraint.

To guarantee your new child restraint is fitted properly, have it done at an authorised fitting station. NRMA has a comprehensive list of these at RTA fitting locations. The cost is around $25–$30, and it takes about 15 minutes. If you do choose to fit the restraint yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. You should also consult NRMA’s Buyer’s Guide to Child Restraints’ brochure, which carries ease-of-use ratings.

Using the restraint safely

Tighten the straps or body band to fit your child snugly, make sure the straps aren’t twisted and listen for the buckle to ‘click’ into place. Check by tugging on the straps. Straps on a forward facing restraint should be positioned about 25mm below your child’s shoulder. The sash strap of the seat belt shouldn’t lie across your child’s face or head – it must sit across their shoulder. Loose straps won’t perform well in a crash, and may allow your child to free their arms. Even when your child is sleeping, make sure their restraint is worn properly and is firmly adjusted.

Second-hand car restraints

If you can afford it, avoid second-hand seats, especially if you don’t know where they’ve come from. If you must buy one, try and get it from a family you know and make sure it hasn’t been involved in a crash. Also, ensure it meets AS and that the webbing has not stretched or become shiny in parts. Shiny sections usually indicate the webbing has been under an extreme load, ie. a crash. Thoroughly check all buckles and fittings for cracks, warps and bends, and if you suspect that it may have been in a crash, walk away.

For more details visit Child Safety or call NRMA Technical Advice on 1800 655 443. 

Child restraints for newborns

A baby capsule – or rearward facing restraint – can be used until your child is about six months old before you advance to a forward facing restraint. The advantage is that you can lift it from the car and move bub about without disruption. Your other option is a convertible restraint which can be used from newborn (as a rearward facing seat) until they can longer physically fit into it (as a forward facing seat). Make sure you buy the restraint and have it fitted before your baby is born. It may be worth hiring a restraint – it’s economical, you won’t have the problem of storing it when it’s no longer needed and you can get the most appropriate restraint for your child’s age. To ensure you get a safe child restraint, see the section on second-hand restraints.