Hi Parents!

Just wanted to check if anyone of you here really make it a point to get your child to sit in the car seat..seeing noticeably that the road accidents are on the rise. Overseas, it's mandatory to have baby and kids in a carseat whereas here is still not needed.

I started putting my son into a carseat ever since he was born. Started first with the rear-facing carseat and then when he reached 1yo..i upgraded to the forward-facing carseat.

I spent about Rm600 for a Halford brand (i think i got the name right) which is a British brand for the forward-facing one. I feel that the money spent on the carseat is worth it as it's for safety reasons.

What about you parents out there?

This post has been edited by phythia79: Jan 15 2011, 11:40 AM

Yes Im also put my child into the carseat..just follow the manual..and drive carefully..

ditto, otherwise how to go kai kai with my bb

i wish i could brain wash my hubby to buy me a car seat...

Get someone to give it to you

Yes for me. Since Day 1.

syd, like who? u?

yes,u should put your child in the carseat in case anything happen,but the price quiet expensive.but still,to compared with your child life,its really worth the money..

My son (soon to be 15 months) cannot sit in the car seat for more than 5 minutes. Will struggle to get out. If we force him to be in there, he will cry cry cry... sigh...

Yups...that's the first thing I had to get so that I don't need to depend on my hubby to bring me go Kai Kai.

Nickit: yeah... Shd get one of your family or friends to buy .

Maybe you can also get some articles about the importance of a babyseat. It's not only when u go out alone but for every time that the baby travels with u and hubby in the car. I read somewhere that if u carry your baby in your arms and if an accident happens...the baby acts like an airbag to protect u. So which means your baby will still get hurt quite bad.

You can also tell your hubby an example if u don't wear seatbelt you'll get flung out..so is the same if a baby/child is not buckled up.

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Added on January 16, 2011, 8:30 amHe cries because he's not used to it and probably hates being confined. It's quite normal. My son does cry when the journey is long or is just bored. it's quite distracting but I'm quite firm and just let him cry. Eventually he would stop.


For long journeys, if he has sat in the caraway for more than 2 hrs, I'll stop at a resthouse for him just to stretch his legs.

Another thing...if u wanna try to put him in the carseat..make sure he's contented (well fed and rested) and then try driving nearby first.

This post has been edited by phythia79: Jan 16 2011, 08:30 AM

you can buy the cheaper local brands like sweetcherry, my bb first year car seat RM108, then switch to front facing seat RM299.

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Added on January 16, 2011, 9:48 amsometimes my bb gets cranky as well, keep her occupied with things, toys, handphone, biscuit - food yeah it works most time.

This post has been edited by moorish: Jan 16 2011, 09:48 AM

at first we also think of that, but once our baby sit on it and each time she will fall sleep on it...

remember those carseat are all make from country where temp is cold , alway blow the aircon to the back(my carseat is behind my driver seat) .

sometime she also like to sit there for snack n play with her toy . Put something to let them feel enjoy instead of boring sitting there...ahahah

Hi mghong,

Out of curiosity..why do you place your carseat behind the driver seat? Coz i was wondering that it may be difficult if you are driving..and you need to take a look at your baby..

I want to ask, how old only can a baby sit on a car seat? Or rather, how many months old only it is safe to bring baby outdoors to shopping and etc?

Many parents worry about taking a very young baby outside the house. In fact, in some cultures moms and babies are sequestered inside for a month or longer. But there’s no medical reason not to take a healthy baby out of the house.

Fresh air and a change of pace can be good for people of any age, including babies. It's exposure to other people that can cause a baby to become sick.

To avoid exposing your baby to unwanted germs, limit the time you spend in close quarters with crowds. Make sure anyone who wants to hold or touch your baby washes his/her hands. Finally, stay away from anyone who's sick.

Jennifer Shu, Pediatrician

Regards, Joey

there are 2 types of car seat- rear-facing ad forward facing. For newborns till 1 yr old, they should be in the rear facing. After 1 yr, you can upgrade it to forward facing.

You can read more about car seats at www.babycenter.com. This the site where I get lots of information.

It depends on each parents to decide when to bring their baby out. I brought my son out in his 2nd month..but just to a restaurant. During that time was the Influenza-A outbreak, so i avoided crowded places.

I started bringing him out when he was about 3 months plus but usually with someone along - hubby or mom.

Yep, my son also (2years plus) and he likes to stand at the back sit with my wife. I agreed about the functionality of babay seat and most of them dont like to be confined but is it the best way to let your child cries until he or she stop in order to train them to sit on the car seat? And my son does not sleep easily.

That's where parenting comes in. Kids dont want to do a lot of stuff, it's our job to make them do what's right.

I have a cousin whom had 32 stitches on her head when she was 2 because she was flung around the car when it hit a cow at 70km/h. Her mom, sitting in front with baby on lap died because of head trauma - she didnt wear seat belt. The couple had 4 kids under 4.

So I'm buckling my kids down - no negotiations. Scream all you want - I'd rather tolerate a noisy child than a dead child.

Friends who had used it and now their infants had turn into children.

when I first started training my bb oso seem impossible, she kept on crying and every chance I get I've to turn around, its quite dangerous and seem impossible to achieve. The crying oso damn stressful when you're driving.

Then we put her on the front seat, tried to disable the passenger airbag but tak boleh, so we took a chance, push the car seat all the way behind, only when she is in the front seat and can see me she can seat quietly.

Syd G...I totally agree with you. Sometime, we as human..tend to think that it won't happen to us..but..like the saying goes "Malang tidak berbau".

I too rather tolerate a noisy child than a dead one.

my children r against the child seat.
they will struggle to get out.
so no child seat in the car.
but i hv a rotan in the car, works magic...hahahah

born in the 80s, i grew up with the rotan.
still ok, they won't really run riot in the car

Hmmm..even with the help of the rotan..if there's an accident (touchwood)...i doubt it is safe..as they aren't using any seat belts. Forgive me if i'm wrong..even if a child behaves like an angel in a car...but is not using the seatbelt/ car seat..it's still dangerous.

We may be driving cautiously but we don't know about the other drivers that may hit into our cars (ie drunk drivers, mat rempits).

phythia, no one wanna give me car seat

faceless, err... frens i still keep in contact have kids like mine... how to ask them give their car seat? sigh...

baby can sit in carseat as earlier as newborn, the infant seats come with head support.

I started bringing my baby travelling in the car during 1 month old, and after 2 month old i started bringing him out shopping or makan2. Baby needs to get used to the environment outside, see people and kind of build earlier social skills, otherwise, one fine day when u hv a large crowd at your house, your baby might get shocked and fuss a lot. Of course, make sure all hygiene, safety, etc is practiced when u go out with baby.

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Added on January 17, 2011, 2:48 pminvest in a simple car seat la... sweet cherry or mydear can get <rm300, u can use it for your next baby oso

This post has been edited by qarezma: Jan 17 2011, 02:48 PM

Yep, I agreed with you, i am considering taking the babyseat for my son coz the second one is coming soon. no place for him at d back in d future. You have more than one child I presumed, must be a ruckus in the car

I totally agreed with your saying

Thats a good way for your children, old school method I am planning to introduce the seat to my son but I'm suggesting like better start with a short journey first, let him play with toys and books. I think find the way to make them concentrate on the seat is the better way to go rite. If not we go to step number two, the harsh treatment

i agreed with u.
never over-estimated our own driving ability.
if kids r in car, i drive slow and jus give way give way give way.
it's annoying, but no choice.

Hi, I hope you did get the cars eat for your baby. It is a small investment for the safety of your child. Both of my children are in car seats since day one. In North America, it is the law. If that doesn't change your mind, please look at the following article. Accidents do happen even if you are a careful driver.

http://www.carseat.se/a-swedish-rear-facin...s-another-life/

I live in US, and I would be glad to help you to get one if you can't find a suitable one in Malaysia. Remember to get one with a side impact feature.

Please get the car seat.

I agree with you. My carseat has the side impact feature too.

Which comes to the next question, the locally made ones like Sweet Cherry..i wonder if theirs are as compatible with the imported ones? For the fact that since in overseas, it is mandatory to have car seat for children, the car seats manufacturer over there will have to undergo tests to make sure that it meets all the safety requirements. Whereas, since in Malaysia it's not the law, manufacturers here may not manufacture the seats up to par, though it's cheaper.

obviously you cannot compare sweet cherry and combi, but then if you're driving a proton or likewise, its good enuf then:P if you're driving a beemer than get a combi and it'll served its purpose

You got a point too..

I think the greatest battle first is to emphasize the importance of a carseat.

I don't put my kids on baby seats, mostly because when they were smaller, there is usually someone else in the car. Like, hubby will be driving, the baby will sit with me or I carry the baby [edit : We usually sit at the back]. Now my kids are 6+ and almost 3, so am thinking of getting booster seat for the 3 year old... Anybody with experience with booster seats?

This post has been edited by budakjahat: Jan 19 2011, 08:05 AM

I envy u all. My wife and MIL don't like to put my 7 mth old son into the car seat. It annoys me every time but i can't out argue them cause its 2 against 1, and besides my son don't like the seat as well. So i have to endure, my MIL or wife, carrying my son on their laps while i try my best to be as cautious a driver as i possibly can. But u know, shit happens, other cars might run into u.

euthanasia, u're the opposite from my hb >.<

I agree with you..shit happens. This is the thing that most ppl don't get...they will say that they will drive cautiously but they forget that there are other drivers too that may not be as careful as them. Worst is..if child is on your lap..child is acting as an airbag for you..

How so?

Which is why my sister did not bring out her baby out anywhere for 1 whole year. Imagine that.

euthanasia, my hb dun want a carseat coz he thinks my boy won't even sit in it~! but every now n then i'll try to brainwash him... slowly at a time... *evil smile*

Try put in car seat @ malls. I did that with the Bumbo seat

i've had my baby in the carseat when ever he's going out since infant, even if it's a five minute drive to babysitter's home.
you might drive careful and make way for others, but not all drivers drive sensibly.

he's 10 mths old now and doesnt mind the cramp space at the seat. i wonder if that would change when he started to walk?

My son is now 1.5 yo..and so far..he's good in his car seat..though he hates it when it's stationary (ie jam or traffic lights). But I rather tolerate a screaming child. On long journeys, i'll stop at a rest house for him to stretch his legs..for a toddler to sit in the car quietly for abotu 2 hrs plus is considered very good..so that's the award i give him..let him run about for about 15 mins or so before we start the journey again. He'll scream but i'll just let him scream...and then he'll just be quiet..and soon fall asleep.

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Added on January 24, 2011, 12:48 pmI believe it's all about letting them get used to it..you can't expect them to get used to it in a day or two...but if you are firm with them..then they'll know that you meant business when it comes to buckling them in the car seat.

This post has been edited by phythia79: Jan 24 2011, 12:48 PM

Every time we put him into the car seat, he falls asleep, which is a good thing!

I'm so glad we got a stroller and the car seat.

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/us_med_car_seats_children

hrmmm... that gives me something to ponder... since just switched my youngest (9 months old now, but a big, strong baby) from a rear-facing to a front-facing, due mostly to the fact that he looks to have positively out-grown the rear-facing one, and in a small part due to his reluctance to stay lying down i.e. keeps trying to get up. Mind you, my three other children have all been strapped in from the day they left the hospital, so it's not like I am doing it out of ignorance (or apparently I am?).

...anyway, always keep your young uns in the car-seat, however they argue,scream or throw tantrums... the younger they start, the easier it will be... my first child was born in the uk, and the first thing the hospital gave to us was a proper child-seat when they found out we had none (actually, they gave us a whole bunch of stuff, from clothes, diapers, medicines, and even a stroller... yeah I know... it was a used one but still... but that's another story) and were taking him home via taxi. So, coming home I stuck with the whole rigmarole, even when I apparently was the only one interested in the safety of my kids, since both sets of grandparents were tsk'ing and tut'ing, looking at their grandchild being strapped in, especially when they start fussing or crying. Even the wife tries to persuade me to let the aby ride sans carseat for all sorts of reasons e.g. short distance, baby screaming etc but hey, what's the use of being the head of the household when you can't put your foot down especially on something as essential as your child's safety?

...keep'em strapped in... malang memang tidak berbau... it really rankles me when I see apparently educated and loving parents letting their children un-strapped in the car, or even worse, stick their heads/hands out of the window or even the sunroof... I am like, my god

Yups..grinner...i'm the same with you..i gelengkan kepala when i see those kids...and sometimes see 2 young kids sitting in the front passenger's seat. I always say..even though we try to be a careful driver when our kids are in the car..but you just don't know about other drivers.

...Well, kids being kids, they're just doing what's natural for them i.e monsters ... it's the parents I don't understand... everyday when I pick up my two kids from school, I frequently see this lady in a viva, stop her car leaving half on it on the road, leave a small kid on the passanger seat then bring literally a whole brood of kids into the car. there must've been about 7 in the back seat, i kid you not. and each time i am like ...just came out in the papers today, the 4-yo kid being taken when the car he was in was hijacked after the dad left the car with the engine running to go to the shops for a few minutes... if not for the fact that there was a real kid involved, I would have said 'serves you right' if anything nasty happened... brainless...

... not saying I am anywhere the perfect father of course, but stuff like this really makes me wonder how adults like these function...

This post has been edited by grinner: Mar 22 2011, 12:16 PM

It's not the first time this carjack with a kid inside has happened..and really...we never learn from it.

I meant to post something about this, rather than just put up the link, but got called away for something else in the middle of it.

I was interested when the article mentioned kids under 13 should sit at the back seat.. My 6+ sits in front once in a while, and it just occurred to me, that much like her baby brother who's 3, the seat belt doesn't fit her that well too... so how? booster seat too ke?

Though I did see this thingamajig at Jusco once, some kind of seat belt adjuster thingy for small kids.. Alas, didn't bother to read the instructions or labels...

I think booster seat will be ideal..though i've not come to that stage yet to really look for it. what's this thingamjig that you saw? probably..the next time round..can you please post a picture of it?

It's something like this.. Dunno if it is as safe as having them sit on the booster seat and wear seat belt normally...

Hmmm..interesting. However, i have my doubts when it comes to these kind of 'inventions'. I'd rather get the real mccoy..then something that may look of similar function but not sure if it really functions the same.

Judging from the photo..it looks like the seatbelt is still lose and the child can still wriggle his way out. Whereas, if a booster seat..i think it can be adjusted to snugly fit the child.

That's my personal point of view.

since 1 mth give him car carrier and turn 1 change to car seat.
i told him that he need to be stay in car seat and will bring him go gai gai
fortunely, he very co-operate with me. so far very enjoy bring him out alone

...think booster seat is the way to go. My 4 yo just graduated from a carseat to using a booster seat, and though he pleads once in a while to not use the booster seat like his two older siblings, I told him he does not fit in the seatbelts yet and if anything happens, he might get hurt. And I tell him he does not want to end up like the kakak in the safety commercials that were on not that long ago (about this girl who came into class with a bruised and knocked up face due to her parents not using seatbelts on her). Works every time

anyone interested?


http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1994998

hi sifus -

i've got few questions :

1) can we put the newborn(between 1-14days old) into the carseat? i need to travel 3hrs journey
2) there are few models that can't fully recline to flat or the design is a bit curve..can the baby sleep in the not flat position? will it hurt the back or spine?
3) do you need to buy another carseat as your child grows-up?

appreciate your wise answer/advise. thanks

metaltooth, u can get either baby car seat cum carrier (usually stated 0-13kg) or those car seat that can be reclined (usually stated there 0-18kg or some sort)... hope i'm giving the rite advice i'm planning to sell my baby car seat cum carrier that i've gotten from phythia so i can get another car seat for my growing boy... anyone interested? planning to sell abt RM30-40... still in good condition la...

1. My almost 2 week old loves his car seat. We have a Recaro Akuna (stroller) which comes with a Profi Plus (Infant carseat/stroller attachment). Your one should be fine, we introduced Cyrus to the seat in our room and let him sit in it for a few minutes when he was clean and well fed. You will probably want to plan a stop or 2 on your trip to give him a change and feed, depending on how often he needs to eat and stuff (with our schedule i would give him a good long feed before we left and then have a break half way through the trip).

2. Our seat isn't a fully reclined one (like a bassinet) as they only last until 3months old so not so worth while. Generally the slightly reclined/curved ones (that usually work as a rocker on the floor as well) generally seem to last until around 9months which is a little more worth it. Obviously don't let your baby sleep in the seat all day and night, but for a day trip or a car ride won't do any harm at all. As for sleep, as soon as the car (or stroller for that matter) starts moving, Cyrus is fast asleep and will stay that way until we stop.

3. We will be switching to a Recaro ProRide (hopefully, still need to arrange to get one into the country) which is rated for newborn to around 5years (after which we may still need to use a booster seat for a couple of years depending) once he grows out of the Profi Plus... if you weren't set on a specific brand like we are you would probably be able to get a seat that didn't suit a newborn but would last until older to switch to once you grow out of the first one.

I hope that helps. Basically make sure the seat you are looking at is suitable for your age range and hopefully will last for a decent amount of time. Also try to find one that has had some safety testing done.

Hey Metaltooth,

My baby travel'ed from Ipoh to KL in baby car seat before 14days old.
We change to a bigger car seat when he's around 4th month (Can't really recall the exact month).

hi metaltooth,

1) it's fine to put your newborn into the carseat. my cousin was staying at Pahang. the day she discharge from hospital, she travelled with her baby all the way back to Johor, her hometown for confinement. anyway, it's more safety.

2) i'm not too sure if the design will hurt the baby's back or spine but Sweet Cherry brand carseat that i bought from Jusco is not bad. my girl (2YO) still sit in the carseat when we travel around.

3) i think some carseat really can be used for newborn until about 4-5 yrs old. for me, i will only consider to get another one if i have 2 small kids

i'm using a child's booster seat for my 3yo son and a bucket type for 7m baby..so far no problem

Booster seat is for taller or older kids right? Ur 3ye old got be quite tall huh?

I couldn't agree with you more. The awareness about child safety amongst Malaysia is so alarming low. You can even see parents riding motocycles with their baby between them. So not safe at all! Can't parents think for their child carefully? We can see a lot of careless acts by parents everywhere. Or do they want to wait for law enforcing child safety first then only will act?!

yea its very important to have the proper safety seats based on the childs age. been doin that since my 2 kids are babies.
did u all read on the seats that has some toxin from the major child safety seats makers? the studies from US.

Stumbled onto this thread by "accident".

I just wanted to add that when I was around 5-6 years old (I think) and living in Singapore in the mid-80s. Can't remember if they had implemented the rear passenger seatbelt rules yet.

I don't know why but I asked my Dad if he could get a VHS videotape of those actual crash tests from his Volvo dealer. He got me one and I must've watched it a dozen times once I got it. Like a kid who received his latest cartoon.

After that, I told my dad that I still needed a booster seat as advised by the video and he must've been stunned by me giving that suggestion but anyhow, the next thing I remember is that the booster seat was in the car and it was there till I passed the height requirement to start using the seatbelt without booster.

I'm not sure about current seatbelts and whether booster seats still have benefits. Just a story to share...

seems like in malaysia its not that popular with children car seats.. hmm but its always safe to do so!

It is important, I bought Halford too.

ya i cringed when i see parents let their kids sit all around the car, even my 7 yr old sits on a booster seat

Please note that there is a expiry date of car seat.

So when you are buying a "new" car seat, please check the manufacture date.

And if people give you their used car seat, please ask when did they buy it.

why due to material wear?
most seats comes with manufacturing dates or expiry dates?

My son now is 2yr, every time also sit on he car sit. Car sit is safe for Child.

click the spoiler



source

my kid start using the car seat since young, i think when she was few months old until now. i am using halford as well.

did he cry alot in the car seat?

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Added on September 30, 2011, 10:44 amgot cry? how old is she now?

This post has been edited by katijar: Sep 30 2011, 10:44 AM

its matter of training and habit. i always talk to them on safety etc, eldest is 6 ,youngest just turn 3.

Katijar,
Thanks for the info

I agree..it's all about training..I trained my son ever since he was a baby. And now..he knows that if he gets into the car...he needs to be buckled up. Of coz..being children, there are times (rarely, though) that he refuses and cries..but i'm adamant in putting him into the car seat.

It's a good habit..coz if he is going into another car (that doesn't have a car seat), he asked to be buckled up with the safety belt.

one more tip to share:

Installing your rear-facing child car safety seat on a proper angle

Most child car safety seats have a recline position that must be used when in the rear-facing position for an infant (up to 9kg or 20lb). Check your child car safety seat owner's manual for instructions. For rear-facing seats, if necessary, use a tightly rolled towel or a foam bar (pool noodle) under the base of the child car safety seat to adjust the angle to 45 degrees. A forward-facing child car safety seat should be in the upright position. Make sure that when the seat is turned from rear-facing to forward-facing, the recline feature is adjusted to the upright position.


source

she is coming to 3 years old soon and she still like to be on her seat. anyway, they are seated higher and can see more things.

yea here in msia enforcement on child safety seat hardly done unlike singapore.

[quote=katijar,Sep 30 2011, 10:43 AM]
did he cry alot in the car seat?

Since he 2nd mth already start sit, until now no problem.
Must let them feel this is he sit.

wont cry if ur baby is not hungry.. bcos the he/she got goyang2 when the car moves.. my son even fell asleep when i put him on.. plus i put a thermometer inside my car so that i can accurately adjust cabin temperature by varying aircond setting, not too cold or not too hot, just nice..

ya its good u guys uses it, i think we all here need to educate our friends & family on the safety aspect. we may be safe drivers but we cant predict what kind of drivers out there.

Well, that's why is called accident

Btw, I think the combi range is pretty nice

I just read this in The Star online - Parenting Section. A personal story from a reader on the importance of a carseat.

http://parenthots.com/parents_corner/soapb...y-car-seat.aspx

yeap

luckily for me, my sister bought one for me as a present. this carseat is the type that can attach to a stroller.

i only started to bring my son out after he's around 2 and half month. but only to parks or relative house. no supermarket or shopping complexes.

as the kids grow a different kind of seats needed from baby to toddler and young child above 4 yrs old

This post has been edited by DM3: Oct 5 2011, 08:41 AM

correct, also the seating angle varies with age

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...1942&sec=nation

Another reason for kids to be buckled up..for her age..8 years old..should be using a booster seat. And..i wont be surprised if she was standing or movign about..just like how we see in vehicles..kids jumping here and there.

Even if you have rotan in the car..it won't be effective as the porsche driver rammed the toyata unser from the back..i hope those parents who claims that the use rotan to make sure the kids sit quietly see the importance of the carseats.

This post has been edited by phythia79: Oct 11 2011, 12:26 PM

its all matter of setting the priorities right as in safety 1st.

Nania car seat for combination group 0+ and 1. Anybody bought, is it good? Searching the internet, not found any physical store selling.

This post has been edited by cokelatpanda: Feb 29 2012, 05:20 PM

Some people don't use seat belts and don't use car seats for their kids. Yet kids all grown up and everybody still alive.

The question is - do you feel as lucky? Better safe than sorry.

i deem it a necessity

like riding motorcycle, its not like everyday you gonna crash so why bother with the helmet?

Try find convertible car seat, can used up to 32kg (approximately 4years old)

Previous experiences on near missed, crazy toyota camry overtake at corner, i pumped brake very hard, luckily baby is buckle up at the car seat, sleep comfortably eventhough her mom & dad heart beat wants to explode already...I'm using recaro proride,purchased at recaro dealer sunway.

Please do not compromised on safety.

child seat aside,

heard pregnant ladies can be excused from carseat? anyone can verify? this is useful if mummy is feeling discomfort, but i think should not be encouraged

Chester do you mean seatbelt?

I used seatbelt till the day i delivered..and I was overdue for a week plus

mine since new born in car seat...now 1 year old still using car seat..my mom bought for baby gift..from new born to 3-4 years old

I also using car seat...

Yes, i actually mean seatbelt for pregnant ladies..wondering if there's a law that pregnany ladies not compulsory to wear seat belt?

Car seat is very important. We will never know when the driver will push on emegency brake and when you are losing grip during emergency. if you think your child will be bored during the journey, talk and interact to him, bringing some toys in the journey would be useful.