Planning to zip around Singapore with kids in the car for activities? If your children are below 1.35m in height, you’ll need a baby or child car seat for each of them. But wait! Before you start searching “where to buy the best car seat for baby/toddler”, here are some handy tips on choosing the right seat from PramWash, Singapore’s first baby gear cleaning specialist. Plus, they run through the importance of keeping car seats clean.
How to choose the best car seat for my baby or toddler?
Infant, pod capsule, convertible, all-in-one, booster; with so many terms used to describe child car seats, how do you know which is the best for your child? Picking the best car seat for your baby or toddler depends largely on their age or weight.
Here’s a general guideline:
- A rear-facing car seat is for babies up to 9 months or up to 10kg. Most infant car seats and pod capsule seats fall in this category.
- A forward-facing car seat will suit toddlers from 9 months to 4 years or between 10kg to 18kg. A convertible child car seat simply means that it can be installed both rear- and forward-facing.
- A booster seat is needed for children from 4 to 6 years or between 15kg to 25kg. This can be with or without a backrest, although a backrest is recommended.
- A booster cushion without a backrest can be used for children from 6 to 8 years of age or between 22kg to 36kg.
A rear-facing seat would be the ideal car seat for babies as it provides better support for a child’s neck and head. The front-facing seat is a better choice for older toddlers as it offers greater protection for the back and internal organ
If you’d like to forgo the hassle of changing the seat as your child grows, opt for an all-in-one child car seat. These take your child from birth through to 4 or 5 years of age.
What are some other things to keep in mind around safety?
Don’t forget these three other important aspects of choosing the best child car seat for your child.
#1 Safety first: Since a child car seat is primarily about the safety of your child when riding in a car, you should opt for one that has been approved according to safety standards.
#2 Ease of installation: Check whether your vehicle has the ISOfix or the LATCH system for attaching a child car seat. This will be a factor in deciding between a rear-facing and a forward-facing child car seat.
#3 Ease of cleaning: The fabric, harness and buckle of the seat should be easy to wipe down after every use. For those who worry about potential skin issues for your child, opt for a seat where the fabric is removable for a deep wash.
Why is it important to clean a child car seat?
Just as you disinfect and regularly wash and clean all your baby gear, why wouldn’t you do the same for a child car seat? It’s important to keep it clean to prevent dust or dirt from accumulating, which can contribute to potential skin issues such as rashes and itchiness.
Before using the child car seat, give the fabric a good wash with a mild detergent and water. This will remove any residual chemicals or glue that was used in making and assembling the seat. Repeat this deep cleaning wash once a month – or more often if you’re using the car for weekly family outings and activities. Always ensure that the fabric is completely dry before fitting it back into the car seat.
On a more regular basis, a sanitising wipe down of the fabric, harness and buckles is recommended after each use.
Let the experts handle it
If you would rather let the experts look after the cleaning, you can drop your baby items at PramWash. Established in 2017, they are Singapore’s first baby gear cleaning specialists and have washed more than 10,000 prams and baby gear across all brands and models.
As they’re mindful of how sensitive a baby’s skin can be, the team’s cleaning solutions are made from plant-based ingredients and have been certified non-toxic by lab tests. Their cleaning specialists are also trained specifically in cleaning and washing kids’ equipment; everyone undergoes two weeks of intensive hands-on training under the supervision of a senior specialist before they start cleaning customer’s baby gear.
PramWash is located at VivoCity and Tradehub 21. Or you can opt for a pick-up and delivery service at an extra cost. For more information about their car seat and baby gear cleaning services, head to the website.
Written in collaboration with:
PramWash
VivoCity #B2-22A | 8 Boon Lay Way, #04-119 Tradehub 21
8686 8001 | pramwash.com
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