Car Safety - Capsules

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      Keep your baby secure and safe in one of our comfortable, ergonomically designed baby capsules. Suitable from birth up to 12 months, our stylish baby car capsules are perfect for mums on-the-go, making traveling with bub quick and fuss-free!


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      Protect your Baby with a Baby Safety Capsule

      There are many important decisions to make well before your baby is born. From the moment you take your baby home from the hospital, have the peace-of-mind that you are doing everything you can to protect your precious little one with the best quality baby safety capsule.

       

      Types of baby capsules available

      A baby car capsule is a rear-facing child car seat made up of a capsule base that stays in the car and a removable infant carrier. There are two main types of baby capsules.
      Belt system: This is an older method of installation that uses the car's seatbelts to secure a child restraint. Also known as a non-ISOFIX system.
      ISOFIX base system: ISOFIX is an internationally standardised car seat fitting system. Child car restraints using this system quickly, safely and easily attach using two built-in metal clips (low anchorage points) between the seats in your car.

      Most capsules can be used from birth to 6 months, although some baby capsules like the Cybex Cloud Q Capsule can be used up to 12 months of age or 13kg. You can also buy a capsule as part of a travel system, making it easy to transfer bub from car to pram or stroller without needing to move baby from the capsule.

       

      Understanding ISOFIX vs non-ISOFIX

      ISOFIX and non-ISOFIX are safety features to consider when buying and installing a child car seat or baby capsule. In Australia, if your car has low anchorage points, you can install an ISOFIX-compatible car seat. But you must also connect the top tether strap of your child restraint to the top tether strap anchorage point in your car. While most new cars are ISOFIX compatible, many cars (including older model cars) are non-ISOFIX.

      For non-ISOFIX installations, when installing your child car seat or baby capsule, you'll need to use the car seatbelt installation mechanism. If you're buying a new car and will be installing a baby capsule, check the ISOFIX compatibility. Also check the baby capsule guide on ISOFIX or non-ISOFIX compatibility so you know whether your baby capsule can be installed in your car in line with Australian car seat safety requirements.

      For peace-of-mind, many parents opt for a qualified child restraint centre to install a child car seat. If you choose to install your own child car seat following the manufacturer's installation guide, you can also check your installation once done at a child restraint centre, before placing bub in capsule. All this is done to keep bub safe when driving.

       

      Safety standards you need to know

      Child car seats bought and sold in Australia must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. Check the car seat's packaging as well as the car seat itself for this safety standard requirement. For all child car seat accessories, from covers to padding to seatbelt adaptors, also check packaging and the product for Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 8005.

      How to choose the right capsule for you

      Physical space in your car: Assess the space you have in your car. To fit a capsule, consider regular passengers, siblings and other child car seats, as well as groceries, nappy bag and pram -- especially if you have a small boot.
      How long you plan to use the capsule: Are you planning to use the capsule for the first 6 months or use to 12 months?
      How many capsules and/or car seats do you need in your car: As all children in Australia under the age of 7 need a child restraint, you need to make sure the capsule will fit in with other car seats, whether a forward facing car seat or a booster seat. You also need to ensure there are enough anchorage points in your car if you have more than one child needing a car restraint.
      Stroller compatibility: Decide if you want your capsule to be compatible with your stroller or pram so you can easily transfer bub from car to stroller. You can also consider adaptors (a pram accessory) which lets you fit one brand of baby capsule into another brand pram frame.

       

      Features to also look out for:

      Ease of use: Capsules are bought primarily for child safety and then for the convenience they offer parents on-the-go. Ensure your capsule is easy to clip in and out and has an ergonomic carry handle.
      Weight of capsule: A lightweight capsule is preferable as you'll be carrying bub and capsule.
      Size: Ensure you buy the appropriate size for your baby’s weight, height and age, as well as one that will easily fit into your car. Check the manufacturer's instructions on baby weight and size guidelines.
      Portability: This is an important feature especially for parents transferring a car restraint from one car to another.
      Easy to clean: Make sure your capsule is durable and easy to clean. Because there will be mishaps!

       

      What ages can a baby be in a capsule?

      Depending on the capsule you purchase, a baby can be in a capsule from newborn to 6-12 months before transitioning to a forward facing child car seat. A rear-facing capsule with a built-in harness is mandatory for a bub until 6 months of age. From 6 months and up, your child can be in a forward facing position. 

      How safe are baby capsules?

      Keeping your baby safe and protected is a parent's top priority. Make sure you buy the correct size for your baby’s size and age. Then properly install your capsule and frequently adjust the harness to ensure your baby is securely fastened. Don’t leave your baby in the capsule for extended periods of time. Also always check all child products, including baby capsules, that they meet the necessary Australian/New Zealand Standard. This will appear on packaging and on the product itself.

       

      How long can you keep a baby capsule before it expires?

      If you're buying a new baby capsule, your baby will outgrow the capsule based on Australian safety standard guidelines on age and weight. Baby capsules are generally suited to children from birth to approx. 12 months or 13kg (i.e. the Cybex Cloud Q Capsule). For parents using pre-loved baby capsules -- often passed on from friends or family, or stored from older siblings -- it is important to know that second-hand baby capsules can expire. In Australia, second-hand baby capsules expire after 10 years; check for a manufacture date on the car seat. A second-hand car seat for any age, even if well under the 10-years of manufacture, is unsafe to use if it is damaged, has cracks, been in an accident, or doesn't show the AS/NZS 1754 Standard on the car seat.

      Getting it fitted into your car

      Make sure your baby capsule is correctly installed in your car and also be sure to regularly check and adjust the harness. This ensures your child is safe while traveling in your car. For peace-of-mind, many parents choose to visit an authorised Restraint Fitting Station to ensure a child car seat is professionally fitted. If you choose to install your child restraint yourself, make sure to follow your product’s instructions carefully and precisely. You can then also drop past an authorised fitting station to check your installation for complete peace-of-mind. 

       

      Accessories you may also want to consider

      When buying a trusted brand baby capsule, standard items are included like the capsule itself, the base and the tether strap. But there are other accessories parents consider.

      • Adapters: Browse our range of adapters which allow various baby capsule brands to fit to other brand prams. Like UPPAbaby's adapters which fit the Minu pram frame with Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 and Mico AP, Nuna Pipa, and Cybex Aton capsules, plus others.
      • Pram organiser: Skip Hop's range of Grab & Go Pram Organisers, available in a range of designs with adjustable velcro straps, conveniently fit most prams. In sturdy neoprene material, on-the-go mums are always prepared whether steering a Baby Jogger City, Bugaboo Turtle, or Britax Safe-n-Sound Unity Neos.
      • Sunshades for windows: These are an effortless way to protect your little one from harsh sunlight and keep your car cool in warmer weather.
      • Car seat protectors and liners: Another essential car accessory to protect car seat upholstery under all kinds of baby capsules from the Maxi Cosi Mico Plus baby capsule to a Britax Safe-n-Sound Unity Isofix, to all baby capsules in between.
      • Car seat mirrors: Keep your rearward facing cherub in view from the front seat with these useful mirrors. The Infasecure range easily attaches to your backseat headrest.

       

      Child car seat brands which fit the Australian Standards

      Maxi Cosi, Cybex, Infasecure, Chicco and Joolz are just a few quality brands which adhere to Australian safety standards.

      Buying online with Metro Baby

      Metro Baby is a one-stop baby shop for all your baby needs from big ticket items like infant capsules, highchairs, cots, and bassinets to sleep-time essentials like swaddles, sleeping bags, and night lights. Our other bestsellers include bouncers, rockers, breast pumps, baby carriers, playpens, thermometers, and potties. We strive to make online shopping easy, with our Price Promise making price comparisons on RRP end with OMG. We're here to help make parents' lives easier by making shopping for safe baby items fun and hassle-free.

       

      FAQs:

      Do babies need a capsule?

      In Australia, the law requires babies under 6 months to be in a rear-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness, such as a baby capsule or a convertible baby car seat. While capsules can generally only be used for babies up to a year old (and a convertible car seat can be used until 4 to 8 years), a capsule keeps baby safe while also keeping things convenient for parents. With just a few clicks, you can easily move bub from car to stroller and back again.

      How long can a baby sit in a capsule?

      It is best not to leave a baby in a capsule longer than 2 hours, as extended periods are not good for bub's physical development. Capsules are a convenient baby item that help make life easier for parents of newborns. Be sure to add a capsule to your gift registry today!

      Are car capsules bad for babies?

      Car capsules are not bad for babies if they are used responsibly. Car capsules are required by Australian law to keep babies safe. Child safety concerns become an issue when a baby capsule is used for the wrong reasons. While it’s tempting to not wake a sleeping baby, a baby should not be left in a seated position in a car capsule for a long time as it can increase their risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you have any further questions, please contact one of our helpful customer service team members today.

      What is the best baby capsule?

      There are many quality brands and models to choose from in Australia that comply with Australian safety standards. Finding the best product depends on your lifestyle, budget and the features that are most important to you. To help make traveling even easier, browse our car accessories page.