Frequently Asked Questions!
When can I turn my baby forward?
You baby must stay rear facing by law until they weigh 9kg, and can sit unaided for a minimum of 20 minutes. Provided they meet the criteria of 9kg and sitting unaided for a minimum of 20 minutes then they can legally forward face. However your baby will have drastically reduced protection - keep them in their rear facing seat until outgrown or opt for a combination seat that can rear face and then turn forward.
Why should I get a booster with a back on?
A booster with a back, known as a high back booster will route both the lap and chest part of the belt correctly, most booster cushions are unable to route the chest part of the belt correctly. Lots of high back boosters also offer side impact protection to the child, some offer a recline function and they grow with the child. Some convert to the booster cushion when the child is older.
My friend has come over and we want to nip the shops - does this come under the exceptions?
No. The exception for using a child seat for a journey of unexpected necessity is designed for when the child needs to be transported in an emergency. There was recently a viral Facebook post about a police car removing a child for their own safety. An onlooker was stating the police were breaking the law by not having a child seat. However, urgently removing the child from the situation for their own safety would come under "unexpected necessity". Going to the shops does not.
I can't get 3 seats across the back of my car!
This is a tricky one at best - if you have this situation contact Kat directly. There are seats that can be used and various options.
I've seen the video of the impact shield roll over impact. My child is 3 and 14kg, should I remove the shield and use the seat belt?
No. I understand the video is scary to watch, however the impact shield will provide better protection to your 3 year old in the most common impacts up until 18kg. If you were to switch to seat belt use too early the child will not be adequately protected in any impact, let alone roll overs.
My husband refuses to buy an extended rear facing seat, what can I do?
This is a tricky situation, but I would start by asking your husband to write down exactly what his objections are about keeping your child rear facing. When he has done this calmly take some time to go through them and provide fact based answers. Is he worried about his legs? Show him seats that offer extended leg room. Is he worried your child will get bored? It might be worth 'compromising' on an extended rear facing seat with a forward facing option for 'just in case' - you don't have to utilise it!
My friend has turned her 3 week old baby forward facing! What can I do?
I would gently approach her and make absolutely clear that you are not judging her, but you're concerned that she hasn't been given the information you have and you'd hate for something to happen because she didn't know. I can send you some leaflets which advise on keeping little one rear facing as long as possible. Explain the law to her and that her little one is too young to forward face.
She ignored me and said it's none of my business that her 3 week old little girl is facing forward - what can I do now?
There could be medical reasons for the child's direction of travel, but this will had to have been signed off by a medical officer - it would explain why she may not want to 'explain herself' to you. I would not press the matter, but give her the leaflets and inform her that you know a child seat expert who would be happy to help her with any issues she is having with her daughter being rear facing. Getting into a row with her or accusing her of not caring is not going to make her turn her little girl back rear facing. The refusal of acceptance of information could point to greater issues she may be having.
You could inform the police. It may seem very harsh to do this, however she is now knowingly putting her little girl in danger. An explanation by the police may make her more aware of the danger, although expect her to assume it was you who reported her - you may very well lose her as a friend. If she is having any trouble, she will need you to help her, so this may not be the best course of action.
I found out my Mother carried my LO on her knee in the car last week. I'm fuming. How do I approach this?
Things are very, very different now from when our parents were carrying babies in the car - thankfully! She most likely doesn't see that she has done anything wrong, as that's what she most likely did when she had you! I would direct her to the child seat law section on the government website and explain to her that not only are car seats a legal requirement, but why they should be used - don't be afraid of showing her some YouTube crash tests. Make sure the seat is compatible with her car and spend a lot of time teaching her to use and fit it - she may not be comfortable doing so and scared of getting it wrong. It might be worth buying a separate seat for her car that stays fitted in. Explain to her that baby MUST travel in a car seat and the consequences of not doing so.
When can I turn my baby forward?
You baby must stay rear facing by law until they weigh 9kg, and can sit unaided for a minimum of 20 minutes. Provided they meet the criteria of 9kg and sitting unaided for a minimum of 20 minutes then they can legally forward face. However your baby will have drastically reduced protection - keep them in their rear facing seat until outgrown or opt for a combination seat that can rear face and then turn forward.
Why should I get a booster with a back on?
A booster with a back, known as a high back booster will route both the lap and chest part of the belt correctly, most booster cushions are unable to route the chest part of the belt correctly. Lots of high back boosters also offer side impact protection to the child, some offer a recline function and they grow with the child. Some convert to the booster cushion when the child is older.
My friend has come over and we want to nip the shops - does this come under the exceptions?
No. The exception for using a child seat for a journey of unexpected necessity is designed for when the child needs to be transported in an emergency. There was recently a viral Facebook post about a police car removing a child for their own safety. An onlooker was stating the police were breaking the law by not having a child seat. However, urgently removing the child from the situation for their own safety would come under "unexpected necessity". Going to the shops does not.
I can't get 3 seats across the back of my car!
This is a tricky one at best - if you have this situation contact Kat directly. There are seats that can be used and various options.
I've seen the video of the impact shield roll over impact. My child is 3 and 14kg, should I remove the shield and use the seat belt?
No. I understand the video is scary to watch, however the impact shield will provide better protection to your 3 year old in the most common impacts up until 18kg. If you were to switch to seat belt use too early the child will not be adequately protected in any impact, let alone roll overs.
My husband refuses to buy an extended rear facing seat, what can I do?
This is a tricky situation, but I would start by asking your husband to write down exactly what his objections are about keeping your child rear facing. When he has done this calmly take some time to go through them and provide fact based answers. Is he worried about his legs? Show him seats that offer extended leg room. Is he worried your child will get bored? It might be worth 'compromising' on an extended rear facing seat with a forward facing option for 'just in case' - you don't have to utilise it!
My friend has turned her 3 week old baby forward facing! What can I do?
I would gently approach her and make absolutely clear that you are not judging her, but you're concerned that she hasn't been given the information you have and you'd hate for something to happen because she didn't know. I can send you some leaflets which advise on keeping little one rear facing as long as possible. Explain the law to her and that her little one is too young to forward face.
She ignored me and said it's none of my business that her 3 week old little girl is facing forward - what can I do now?
There could be medical reasons for the child's direction of travel, but this will had to have been signed off by a medical officer - it would explain why she may not want to 'explain herself' to you. I would not press the matter, but give her the leaflets and inform her that you know a child seat expert who would be happy to help her with any issues she is having with her daughter being rear facing. Getting into a row with her or accusing her of not caring is not going to make her turn her little girl back rear facing. The refusal of acceptance of information could point to greater issues she may be having.
You could inform the police. It may seem very harsh to do this, however she is now knowingly putting her little girl in danger. An explanation by the police may make her more aware of the danger, although expect her to assume it was you who reported her - you may very well lose her as a friend. If she is having any trouble, she will need you to help her, so this may not be the best course of action.
I found out my Mother carried my LO on her knee in the car last week. I'm fuming. How do I approach this?
Things are very, very different now from when our parents were carrying babies in the car - thankfully! She most likely doesn't see that she has done anything wrong, as that's what she most likely did when she had you! I would direct her to the child seat law section on the government website and explain to her that not only are car seats a legal requirement, but why they should be used - don't be afraid of showing her some YouTube crash tests. Make sure the seat is compatible with her car and spend a lot of time teaching her to use and fit it - she may not be comfortable doing so and scared of getting it wrong. It might be worth buying a separate seat for her car that stays fitted in. Explain to her that baby MUST travel in a car seat and the consequences of not doing so.