Seat with bumper shield: pros or cons?
If you are looking for a car seat, you may be aware that there are two types: the car seat with harness (the best known) or the car seat with bumper. The Impact Shield has gained popularity in recent years, but how much is it really worth? Which type of car seat is best for your baby? To help you choose, we have reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of the car seat with bumper.
Before starting, here are some necessary precautions for the safety of children in the car:
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What is a car seat with impact protection?
There are 3 ways to accommodate a child in a car seat: the harness, the seat belt (reserved for older children) and the impact shield. The shield, which looks like an inflated air cushion, is placed in front of the baby to protect him in case of shock. The child's body wraps around the shield rather than being pressed against the car seat, as is the case with the harness or seat belt. In the event of an accident, this reduces the cervical pressure caused by the fact that only the baby's head is thrown forward.
The shield is also an "excellent protection against frontal impacts because it is composed of materials that absorb energy and cushion impacts.
Note, however, that this difference only applies to street-facing car seats.For car seats facing the road, the distribution of the impact in the event of an accident is the same, that the child is protected by a shield or a harness.
Is the car seat with a bumper shield safer than the others?
While the safety guarantees are very good, the shield also has some flaws. Here is a summary of the elements in favor of the 5-point harness and those in favor of the bumper shield.
The advantages of the 5-point harness:
- in an accident, the stiffest points on the child's body receive the pressure: shoulders and hips
- whatever the source of the impact, the child remains positioned correctly
- The harness fits all sizes to protect every child equally
The advantages of the impact shield:
- the car seat with shield has only a 25% chance of being installed incorrectly, compared to 81% for the harness
- the shield reduces the risk of neck injuries
- the shield absorbs shocks related to kinetic energy
What do the crash tests say?
While car seats with impact shields generally perform very well in various crash tests, there is a controversy that they would be less effective in a crash.
Can the shield be used at any age?
The car seat with shield cannot be used from birth, the child must first be able to sit down. The shield is suitable for a child from 9 to 18 kg, i.e. a car seat corresponding to group 1. However, there are also car seats, belonging to group 1/2/3, which are equipped with a shield. In this case, the screen will be removed and removed when the child reaches 18 kg to continue using the seat as a booster, which is recommended to use from that weight.
Care must be taken to ensure that the child is not too small or too tall for the shield. A well placed shield will come to chest level (and not belly level). As your child grows, you will adjust the height of the shield. The screens are height adjustable to support the child's growth and offer optimal protection, regardless of size.
Will my child feel comfortable in this type of seat?
We can't say it enough, every child is different and what suits one may not suit the other. In terms of comfort, in particular, your child will be the best judge, so watch their reactions from an early age. Some are more comfortable in a car seat with a shield, while others prefer seats with a harness.
Some items can still help you make your choice, we have listed them for you.
Pros of the car seat with shield:
- some car seats have armrests where the child can rest his arms
- the child can move his arms more freely than with a sling
- Quick installation will be appreciated by the most impatient
Account of the car seat with shield:
- Screened seats are generally less reclining than rear seats
- children are accustomed from birth to child seats with harnesses
- in hot weather, the baby may feel uncomfortable
What is the best car seat with a shield?
Specializing in shielded car seats and achieving excellent crash test results, we recommend the Cybex brand if you want to purchase a shielded car seat. Here are the models we have selected for you, in the same price range (between 200 and 250 euros).
CYBEX Silver Juno 2-Fix Group 1 Child Car Seat (9-18 kg)
- For children from 9 months to about 4 years (9-18 kg)
- Suitable for vehicles with or without isofix
- Depth adjustable bumper
- Side impact protection
- Comfortable and height-adjustable headrest in 8 positions
- Air circulation system
- Dimensions: 40.5 x 53 x 60.5 cm
- Weight: 6.7 kg
- Available in different colors
Cybex Silver Car Seat 2 in 1 Group 1/2/3 (9-36 kg)
- For children from 9 months to about 12 years (9-36 kg)
- Suitable for vehicles with or without isofix
- Depth adjustable bumper
- Side impact protection
- Comfortable and height-adjustable headrest in 12 positions
- Easy conversion to the M-Fix SL car seat solution for children from 3 years (group 2/3)
- Backrest with adjustable inclination
- Air circulation system
- Dimensions: 42 x 54 x 63 cm
- Weight: 6.86 kg
- Available in different colors
How to install a car seat with a shield?
The big advantage of shielded car seats, which everyone agrees on, is the ease of installation.
If it is difficult to know exactly how tight a harness is to keep your baby safe, you will appreciate the simplicity of the shield, which snaps directly onto the seat.
The appearance of the impact shields is quite recent, most of these seats are equipped with the isofix system, which further facilitates their installation.
However, if your car is not equipped with this system, don't worry, there are also car seats with shields without isofix.
Pay attention to the height of the shield. As previously mentioned, it is important that it is level with the child's chest. If it is positioned too high (in front of the shoulders), the body will not be able to wrap around the shield as expected. in the event of an accident. If it is positioned too low (in front of the belly), the impact will be on a soft part of the body, which will not be able to counteract the rigidity necessary for the shock.
To properly adjust the height of the shield, refer to the headrest. If the head is well positioned in the headrest, it is likely that the shield is well positioned.
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Car seat: which one to choose?
