It’s a no-brainer. When it comes to your child’s safety, a good car seat or booster seat is an essential when travelling in cars in Singapore.
Whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned one with a brood, you know there’s nothing more important than ensuring your children’s safety during car rides. That means the kiddos must be safely ensconced in car seats suited to their needs when out and about on the roads. Did you know, research shows that utilising a car seat reduces the risk of fatality in road traffic accidents by 50% to 70%? In Singapore, the law requires individuals below the height of 1.35m to be secured with an appropriate restraint, booster seat, or adjustable seatbelt.
Click below to read more:
The car safety law in Singapore
How to choose an age and size-appropriate child restraint
Types of child car seats
Car seats for newborns and toddlers
Booster seats for bigger kids
Ride Safer Travel Vest
The car safety laws in Singapore
There’s good reason why it’s the law in Singapore for kids under 1.35m (irrespective of age) to be restrained with a car seat, booster seat or adjustable seatbelt. If you’ve ever succumbed to whacking on a Baby Bjorn carrier and then wearing a seatbelt thinking it’s a good option, then it’s time to wise up and commit to your child’s safety. This short video from The Car Seat Lady is an unsettling reminder. Take note that individuals who are 1.35m or taller must wear a seatbelt regardless of their age. According to the Road Traffic Act, drivers and passengers who fail to use a seatbelt or suitable restraints may face penalties of up to $1,000 in fines or imprisonment for a maximum of three months, or both.
Avoiding unnecessary car journeys with young babies is recommended. Pediatric researchers suggest limiting car journeys with infants to no more than half an hour. If it’s necessary to travel with a baby, ensure they are securely placed in a child seat. Whenever feasible, have an adult sit beside the baby to monitor their breathing. There have been reported cases of infant deaths occurring when left in a sitting position, including in car seats.
How to choose an age and size-appropriate child restraint
Okay, we’re all on the same page that car restraints are necessary for car rides. The question is, which one, and where to get it? The type of seat you choose will depend on the age and size of your child.
Elise Mawson, car safety guru at Taxi Baby, explains it in a nutshell: “Kids’ skeletons are very different from adults’ – their head is proportionately larger and heavier (watch a toddler try to touch the top of his head: very cute, very difficult). Their neck, spine and pelvis are also much weaker and more flexible. Age is a more accurate indication of how strong and mature your child’s skeleton is to withstand the impact of an accident rather than height or weight. Using a restraint for which your child is too young is better than using nothing at all (or sharing a seat belt with them), but it doesn’t provide enough protection to reduce their risk of injury sufficiently.”
Types of car seats
When selecting a child car seat, be sure to consider the evolving needs of your growing child. There are a number of styles catering to different age ranges, including baby capsules (newborns to 6 months), rear-facing car seats (newborn to 2 years), forward-facing car seats (2 years to 5 years), and booster seats (5 years until seatbelts fit properly).
Here are some types to take note of:
Baby capsule, suited for newborns to 6 months: The classic car seat for infants, the baby capsule provides essential protection. Featuring a two-piece design, it is initially rear-facing (until babies develop head control) and consists of a portable carrier within a hard shell anchored by an adjustable harness. Ensure the capsule is well-fitted before the baby’s due date for a safe and secure journey home from the hospital.
Rear-facing car seats, suited for newborns to 2 years: Rear-facing car seats offer versatility, designed to transition from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. Recent statistics indicate that children in rear-facing seats are 500% safer than those in forward-facing seats. It’s crucial to note that KK Women and Children’s Hospital advises against placing a rear-facing car seat in the front if an active airbag is present.
Forward-facing car seats, suited for 2 to 5 year olds: Forward-facing car seats are designed for children who have outgrown rear-facing seats and are typically used for toddlers and older children. These seats are positioned in the car to face the front, allowing the child to look forward.
Booster Seats, suited for 5 years till seat belt stage: Intended for older children who have outgrown traditional car seats but are not yet ready for unassisted seating, booster seats are recommended by KK Women and Children’s Hospital for children above five years old and below 1.4 meters. It’s important to adhere to international safety standards, including the recent ban by the United Nations against backless booster seats for children weighing less than 22 kg and below 125cm tall.
Best car seats & booster seats in Singapore
The Cosco Scenera NEXT
Suitable for newborns and toddlers up to 18kg
Lightweight
This is a top pick with mums, as you can use it from birth. It’s rear-facing (proven to be safer than forward-facing) and is the lightest option at just 3kg. It ticks all the boxes for a taxi-friendly toddler seat. It’s compatible with several prams, including the Snap-N-Go, so you don’t have to lug it around (or check out some of the hacks parents use for the Bee and Yoyo). Our verdict? It’s the best solution for the tricky stage when your child has outgrown the infant car seat but is too small for the Ride Safer Vest or mifold. Get the Cosco Scenera NEXT from Taxi Baby for $239.
Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix
Suitable for infants
Clips onto prams on arrival
For the tiny tots (0-1yr), the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max rear-facing car seat can’t be beaten. It protects their little necks from side-impact and comes with handy accessories that click directly into most leading brand pram frames (like Bugaboo and BabyZen yoyo). It is handy for not disturbing slumbering babies so that you can enjoy that well-deserved latte in peace on arrival.
Urban Kanga
Suitable for children aged 9 months to 4 years or between 9 to 18kg
Quick installation and easy folding
We love this European offering from Urban Kanga – a super-light 3kg portable seat for kids 9 months to 4 years. Once your little one has the neck strength and weight to face forward, strap them into this cosy seat in 60 seconds flat. We love its patented easy-folding design and the fact that you can carry it under one arm. Safety rating is good as it is height adjustable and has a 5-point safety harness. Here’s some good news: The Urban Kanga ($299) is available in Singapore through Taxi Baby.
Graco Travel Systems
Suitable for newborns
Car seat plus pram package
Graco carries many travel systems, including a sturdy infant capsule and compatible pram. They are on the cheaper end of the market, too. The rear-facing capsule can be used with a seatbelt but comes with a base for those wanting the flexibility of using it in a car. Suitable for use for newborn babies up to 22kg. Check out the range on Lazada; prices start from $399.
Combi Coccoro
For children from 10 – 18kg
Cooling mesh fabric
The Combi Coccoro is a fabulous portable car seat for your precious cargo. It attaches to many different strollers (such as Mountain Buggy and Graco) and is lined with 3D mesh and cooling fabric, perfect for Singapore weather. It’s a good combo of sturdy and lightweight.
Chicco NextFit Zip
Suitable for newborns to 8 years
Looking for comfort, safety, and peace of mind, consider the Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Baby Car Seat. This meticulously engineered car seat ensures your child’s well-being from infancy through preschool. The seamless transition from rear-facing to forward-facing positions caters to infants and growing toddlers. It has a removable newborn positioner, a nine-position headrest, and a padded, no-rethread harness, accommodating a weight range of 2 to 30 kg. Plus, it’s at a discount from Motherswork!
Diono Radian
Suitable for newborns to 8 years
Plane seat compatible
Another option that comes with a free carrying case is the Diono Radian RXT convertible car seat. It has rear-facing, front-facing, booster seat, and plane seat capabilities, so it is a one-stop-shop for travelling needs from newborn to eight years. The steel frame makes it extra robust but a little heavy.
Booster seats for bigger kids
mifold
For ages 4 onwards
Super compact
If you haven’t heard about the mifold yet, this brilliant redesign of the booster seat is for kids age four and up. It’s small enough to carry in your bag and is super easy to set up (our kids have already figured it out). And for parents with three kids above four who need to fit the whole gang in the back seat, the compact mifold ($99) finally solves the ‘three across’ dilemma. The mifold is approved by Singapore Traffic Police and certified to European crash test standards.
Trunki BoostApak
For ages 3+
Folds into a backpack with storage for snacks
For children ready to graduate to a booster seat, the Trunki BoostApak is a stellar option for busy families. It will last your child from an advanced toddler to age 11. It has space for their travelling essentials and zips up to a backpack. Cool colours, too!
Ride Safer Travel Vest
For ages 3 onwards
Fits in your large bag
The Ride Safer Travel Vest is head and shoulders above the rest in bulk, weighing in at a featherlite of 500g. It’s the go-to restraint for savvy taxi-taking parents in Singapore. For little travellers over 3 years (or weighing 13kg+), it can be whipped on while flagging a cab and secured in a jiffy with a seatbelt once you’ve jumped in. It’s not as secure as a car seat, but it’s still safe. Available from TaxiBaby and Kid on the Move.