Q&A's on child & infant restraints

Nothing else offers the same level of crash protection for babies and young children as a properly fitted child restraint.

It's one investment you can't afford not to make. Find out how to fit your child safely, when to change seat size and whether it's best to hire or buy.

Which child restraint should I buy for my baby?

For a baby up to 6 months or 9kg, ask yourself if the restraint will fit in your car and if it's easy to get the baby in and out of the restraint.

Don't use a rearward facing restraint in the front seat of cars fitted with a passenger airbag. An inflating airbag can cause serious injury, or even death, to a baby.

Make sure you buy the infant restraint and have it fitted before your baby is born.   

Which child restraint should I buy my toddler?

For toddlers (6 months to 4 years or 8 - 18kg), you should always use an Australian Standards approved child seat.

Before buying, check that the seats of your car aren't too deeply contoured. This can make it difficult to position some reclining restraints that have recliner bars.  

Can I put my five-year-old in something more than a seatbelt?

Young children, aged four to eight (14 - 32kg), should use a booster restraint with a seat belt.  

• Make sure the booster is appropriate for your child's weight A booster/cushion seat will raise your child to window level and help improve the fit of the seat belt.
• Buy a rigid booster seat with a back, side wings and a sash guide to keep the seat belt in place. The sides will provide support for a sleeping child and also help to hold the sash part of the seat belt.
• Use an adult lap/sash seat belt or child harness with the centre rear lap belt.
• Don't use booster seats without seat backs - this type of restraint doesn't provide any protection during side impact crashes. If you must use this type of booster seat, ensure that the seat belt holds the cushion in place and secure the booster in the centre seat position. Secure with a lap/sash belt or a child harness with a lap belt.

Another option is a child harness, which provides restraining straps that hold the child's upper body and are used with a lap belt in the centre of the back seat. Most harnesses can be used by children weighing 14 - 32kg (or up to about eight years).  

There are also booster-harness combinations for children 14 - 26kg, depending on the model. It's important that the lap belt sits firmly across the hips and doesn't ride over the stomach.

When should I switch to a bigger child restraint?

Change from a baby restraint to a child seat when your child reaches 8kg or 70cm in length.

If you're reversing a convertible restraint to an upright position, follow the instructions carefully - convertible restraints can often be difficult to change around.

Keep using a child seat until your child outgrows it. It's time to change when your child's shoulders are too broad to fit into the seat or their head is above the back of the restraint.

It's time for a young child to move out of a booster seat when the child's eyes are at the same level as the top of the car seat.

How do I install a child restraint properly?

Crash studies show your child's restraint may not be safe if you don't correctly install and adjust it. To ensure your child's safety:  

• have your child restraint fitted at an approved fitting station - here's a list of  RTA Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations. (PDF 247KB/13 pages)
• follow the manufacturer's instructions if you're fitting the restraint yourself
• where possible, install your child restraint in the centre of your back seat, except in the case of a booster seat with a lap-only seat belt
• make sure the top tether strap and the adult seat belt that keeps the restraint in position are properly adjusted - they shouldn't have any slack
• when tightening the seat belt, push your child seat firmly into your car seat using your body weight, so that the car seat cushions are compressed. This helps ensure a tight fit and reduces movement in a crash
• use the minimum number of tether extension straps. 
  

How do I know I'm using the restraint safely?

Read the instructions carefully. Don't ignore the instructions then pull them out when all else fails.

Even when your child's sleeping, ensure his/her restraint is worn properly and is firmly adjusted.

Use this checklist before you set off:  

• attach your child restraint exactly as outlined in the manufacturer's instructions
• tighten the straps or body band to fit your child snugly
• make sure you hear the buckle "click" into place. Check that it's secure 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 his/her shoulder
• adjust straps firmly and make sure they're not twisted. Loose straps won't perform well in a crash, and may allow your child to free his/her arms
• place blankets or rugs over the top of the harness or body band, not between it and the child, and keep the body band (on older capsules) free of fluff.

How should I wear a seatbelt when pregnant?

To strap yourself in safely when you're pregnant, position the seat belt sash above your stomach and between your breasts. The lap belt should be over your thighs, across your pelvis and below your unborn child.  

Is it safe to use a child restraint in a car fitted with airbags?

Airbags save lives.

In NSW, it's illegal to use a child restraint in a front passenger seat if there's a passenger-side airbag.

To avoid unnecessary injury: 

• never use a rearward facing infant restraint in the front passenger seat
• fit all child restraints in the back seat
• if you don't have a rear seat and have to use a forward facing child seat or booster in the front passenger seat: 
   
  • position the adult seat as far back on the seat slide as you can
  • make sure the restraint's top tether (if provided) is attached firmly
  • discourage the child from leaning forward. 

Is it safe to buy a second-hand child restraint?

It may be cheaper to buy a second-hand restraint, but you'll need to check its safety history.

Check for obvious signs of wear on the harness, or if the plastic shell or buckle has cracked or broken. Only use restraints which carry the Australian Standards Mark. Restraints that don't may be dangerous.

Test the buckle and adjusters to make sure they work properly and ask for the instruction manual. If it's missing, get the manufacturer to send you a copy.

Never use a restraint which has been in an accident.

Note: In NSW, you can check if a restraint is in working order at an  RTA Authorised Child Restrain Fitting Station. (PDF 251KB/13 pages)  

Should I hire a child restraint?

It's worth considering hiring a restraint - it's economical and you won't have the problem of finding storage space once you no longer need it. It also allows you to get the most appropriate restraint for your child's age.

Some organisations will fit the restraint at maternity hospitals, ready for your baby to come home. You can get information on hiring restraints at maternity hospitals or community health services.  

Which cars best accommodate child restraints?

Consider a car with a centre lap/sash seat belt. You can also have the back seat lap-only belt replaced with a lap/sash belt in some cars. But make sure there's a centre rear anchorage point if you want to use that position for a restraint.  

Ensure the anchorage points aren't too close to the seat back for the tether strap to be adjusted properly - some cars have this problem.

Check your seat belts are long enough to thread through the restraint when it's in the recline position.

Make sure you choose a car that will carry the number of restraints you need. Not all cars have big enough back seats to carry three restraints at once.

Here's some considerations for various types of cars.
Station wagons

• Make sure you fit a cargo barrier that complies with Australian Standards.

  Hatchbacks

• Check there's a clear path between the back seat and the rear anchorage point so the parcel shelf doesn't interfere with adjustment of the tether strap
• Luggage and some large items carried in the back often obstruct top tether straps
• Some hatchbacks can also be fitted with cargo barriers or cargo nets.

  People movers

• Child restraints may reduce the seating capacity in some people movers, so make sure the restraint won't interfere with your requirements
• People movers don't always have anchorages for each seating position. Check this first, especially if you are going to carry a number of children in restraints.

Two-door cars
It's often difficult to fit and use restraints in two-door cars. You may also hurt your back getting children in and out.

Small cars
A small car may not have enough room to comfortably fit a convertible restraint and a front passenger seat at the same time.  

Does my child have to wear a child restraint?

All children in Australia must use a suitable child restraint.

In most States and Territories, children under one must use a child restraint. Children older than one may use a seat belt, but they will be much safer in a crash if strapped into an appropriate restraint.

As a driver, take responsibility for your passengers. Never carry children unrestrained, and teach them to always ask to wear a seat belt. 

Where are my car's child restraint anchorage points?

All makes and models of car differ. Check your owner's manual for your car's anchorage points.