The shell is the popular name used by parents for the car seat for the newborn.
Small babies, who can sit safely in a semi-tilted position, MUST be transported in a backward-facing position, the so-called “rear facing” position. This means that the shells must be mounted MANDATORY only with the back to the direction of travel. The mounting angle of the shell must be between 30 and 45 degrees, this varying depending on the model and being usually specified in the user manual of the respective car seat and checked by specialists. Child Safety Center.
But what do we do if the baby was born prematurely (ie before 37 weeks), or was born at term and is very small (weighs less than 2.5 kg or less than 45 cm)?
Most shells have a lower weight limit of 3.5 kg and a length of 45 cm. Unfortunately, most manufacturers omit information about the lower limit from which these shells can be used, putting in a generic description: from birth and then mentioning the upper limit of weight (10 or 13 kg) or length (85 cm).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends observing premature babies in a car seat before discharge. They are placed in the shell brought by their parents to the hospital, monitoring their heart rate, oxygen saturation. If you notice a decrease in heart rate (bradycardia – heart rate below 80 beats / minute), or oxygen saturation (below 90%), then doctors recommend parents to move to another type of shell that provides a more comfortable position. Hi. This test is called the “Car Tolerance Test”, it applies to all babies born before 37 weeks, has a duration of 90-120 minutes, or the duration of the journey from maternity to home (which period is longer).
To make it easier for you to choose a shell suitable for the newborn, we review some of the impact-tested models that give the most suitable position for the newborn baby in the world:
Maxi Cosi Jade i-Sizeis the first pram approved and tested on impact by ADAC with exceptional results (score 1.5). The general recommendation of specialists is that babies should be transported with their backs to the direction of travel, but this special pram allows transport at 180 degrees, which is necessary for premature babies and low birth weight babies. It is recommended for children with a length between 40-70 cm, and as an age range from birth to 8 months.
Maxi-Cosi Coral We fell in love at first sight with this ingenious car scan, light as a flake and yet so safe and comfortable for the baby. Designed to keep you close. The first modular car basket meets the highest safety standard I-Size R129, it is recommended from 40 cm to 75 cm, about 0-12 kg, ultra-light, with multiple ergonomic transport positions, a very large sunroof. detachable weighs only 1.7 Kg, its handles are retractable and ensure a comfortable use for both parents and the newborn. The detachable basket locks easily, intuitively in the safety housing that clicks quickly based on isofix thus making installation easy.
Car seat Aton M i-Size de la Cybex Aton M continues the success story of the chairs from the Aton Group 0 months + family, awarded several times, Aton M obtaining an excellent score of 1.6 points (good) in the tests performed by the independent organization Stiftung Warentest (Test 06/2014). strong> Features Aton M i-Size Car Seat from Cybex: • Telescopic side impact protection system (L.S.P. System).
• Automatic seat height adjustment.
• Headrest height adjustment with integrated safety harness adjustment guide.
• Integrated and foldable sun canopy of increased dimensions.
• Travel system together with CYBEX trolleys and more. Height-adjustable headrest 11 positions, for perfect adaptability and maximum protection.
The 11 height adjustment positions of the headrest allow the seat to grow with the child and offer the possibility of using it for a long time.
The new telescopic linear impact protection system (L.S.P. System) absorbs the force of a side impact in the event of a collision, and the housing absorbs energy.
Graco Snugride i-Size is another shell that can be used for babies born prematurely or with low birth weight. It is recommended for children with a length between 40 and 85 cm (18 months) and has an almost horizontal position in the mounting with the back to the direction of travel, “rear -facing ”. The result obtained at the impact tests performed by ADAC is 2.3.
Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro another very good seat from a child safety champion, Maxi-Cosi, Pebble Pro is really a suitable model from birth and easy to install in the car. Recommended 0-75 cm (from birth to approx. 1 year) Pebble Pro meets the requirements of the latest safety standard I-Size (R129) in combination with the 3wayFix car base. The included reducer offers a much improved position for the newborn. The side walls in the head area are made of impact absorbing material, ensuring increased comfort and safety in case of a side impact.
Doona + is the optimal choice for dynamic and practical parents, on the American model. In a single product, Doona + offers both an ergonomic position for the newborn, and the possibility to travel anywhere, without restriction of space in the trunk or on the plane, because in a split second the seat turns into stroller.
Inspired by the position of a child in her mother’s arms, Doona ™ was designed, together with a team of medical experts and technicians, to ensure that the child’s body is properly supported, in a position as ergonomic. Moreover, Doona ™ has been specially designed to ensure a correct position of the newborn in the first months of life, so that the position of the back is as well aligned as possible with the position of the neck, offering full comfort. The material covering the mattresses inside the chair, as well as the head support pillow, were made of bamboo fibers treated with charcoal, which provides anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic protection, while ensuring a regulation of body temperature and humidity. designed with 2 special layers resistant to side impact, with an Anti-Recoil handle, with 3 points for fixing the seat belt and ergonomic mattresses to support the baby’s position, all these make Doona ™ one of the safest car seats available on the market today.
Very important dear parents: although the market is assailed by ads for chairs that promise to cover more age groups, we recommend you ALWAYS opt for the shell in the case of a newborn, because only the shell is designed to provide maximum protection in accident case for such a small kit.