Mother, Baby & Kids

Baby Car Seat to be Mandatory in 2020 | Here is Your Ultimate Guide to Choose the Proper Car Seat

Fairuzal Aula

As everyone is informed, baby car seat is set to be mandatory from this month, January 2020 onwards. However, Transport Minister, Anthony Loke said that drivers will not be penalised for the first six months when it comes into effect. As cited from The Star, the Transport Minister told the Dewan Rakyat,

The JPJ will not issue summonses to drivers without the child car seats during this period. Instead, the drivers will be issued warnings and reminders to install the seats,

This urges all parent to get the perfect and standardized car seat that is in compliance with the United Nations (UN) Regulation No. 44 (ECE R44/04) and Regulation No. 129 (ECE R129).

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) research officer, Nurulhana Borhan also mentioned that the standards have been set by the UN Regulation (UNR) are those that only allowed for use in the country and as the safety measure for children with a height of 135cm and below.

We understand that there are many baby car seat options available in the market. It varies from different sizes to prices, colours, and functions. Here are the four important key points you need to keep in mind when you plan to buy a baby car seat:

  • Your baby’s age.
    • You need to buy a car seat that is suitable according to your baby’s age.
  • Does it have Isofix?
    • Isofix is an attachment system that uses metal anchor points built in to the chassis of the car. It is designed to make installation of baby car seat quick and easy.
  • The safety features.
    • Always check the safety features and whether it follows the standards set by MIROS.
  • Your budget!
    • Welp, this is equally important, isn’t it? As the saying goes, “cut your coat according to your cloth”. Buy a car seat that is within your budget, but please make sure it still follows the standards set by MIROS as explained below.

Baby Car Seat’s Standards Set by MIROS

You just have to make sure the car seat follows the standards set by MIROS as below:

1. REAR-FACING: From birth to 15 months

Highlighted


2. FORWARD-FACING: 9 Months to 4 Years

3. BOOSTER: Above 18kg

For children age 4 years old and above, it is advisable to buckle them in a booster seat. You are recommended to choose a booster seat with five-point harness.

In brief, five-point harness is the webbing portion of the car seat. The five points are two points at each shoulder, two points at the children’s hips, and one point where the harness buckles between the children’s legs.

4. SEATBELT: 4 Years old and above (and YOU!)

Before you get rid of the booster seat, do the five (5) steps test to see whether your child still need to seat in a booster or can start using the seatbelt. Meanwhile, please take note that you should keep children ages 12 and below in the back seat.

Our Top 5 Baby Car Seats

If you are still thinking about which car seats you can buy, here are our recommendations on the baby car seat that you can get from Motherhood.com.my.

  1. Sweet Heart Paris CS236 Adjustable Armrest Car Seat (Red)

  1. Evenflo SUTTON 3 In 1 Combination Seat (EV 906F-E7RR)

  1. Meinkind Tranquillo Baby Car Seat

  1. Hugo Baby 360 Twist Baby Car Seat (Blue)

  1. Joie Every Stage Convertible Car Seat

Act Now!

The new regulations were announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke back in 2018. It is set to be enforced starting this month. We understand that most of you are adapting to the new regulations, however, please take note that the use of baby car seat for private cars will be mandatory and punishable by law if ignore.

In all fairness, these regulations are set to increase the safety and added extra precautions that need to be taken when travelling in the vehicles.

For all parents out there, always refer to the standard set by MIROS before you purchase a baby car seat for your little darlings!

  1. What are the standards set for Baby Car Seat in Malaysia?

    There are four standards set for baby car seat in Malaysia as set by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS):
    1. Rear-facing car seat – For newborn to 15 months.
    2. Forward-facing car seat – From 9 months up to 4 years.
    3. Booster – For children age 4 years old and above, or any child that is 18kg and above.
    4. Seatbelt – Do the 5-steps test to see whether your child still needs a booster seat or can start using the seatbelt.

  2. At what age I should prepare a car seat for my baby?

    From the day your baby was born.

  3. Baby car seat positioning – in the front seat or behind driver/passenger?

    It is safe to put your children in the rear of the car when you are travelling. However, if you must put a foward-facing seat in the front when there is an airbag present, make sure the car seat is as far back as possible, to maximise the distance between the child and the airbag.