road safety

infant restraint

Birth to 6 months
(Up to 700-850 mm long)
(Up to 9 or 12kg)

Infant restraints face rearward and allow the baby to lie down. This supports their back and neck in a crash or during heavy braking. There are two types of infant restraints available:

• single purpose infant restraints – only used in the rearward facing position and suitable for babies up to 9 or 12kg
• convertible dual purpose infant/child restraints – designed to be used in the rearward facing position until a baby weighs 9 or 12 kg and then can be used as a child car seat in the forward facing position.

While convertible restraints can be used for a little longer, some convertible restraints may be safer in one position over another. RACV recommends that parents refer to the latest CREP results to choose a restraint that performs well in both positions.

Infant restraint hire schemes can be an effective method of maximising your child’s safety without the full cost of an infant restraint. For more information on hire schemes contact your local council or a local restraint hire service.

To ensure that this restraint is the right restraint for your child, use the Child Restraint Calculator.

restraint safety tips

• Approximately 70% of child restraints are not installed correctly. A child restraint that is not fitted properly could result in serious injury or even death in a crash. It is strongly recommended that new restraints are professionally fitted by a trained child restraint fitter, so that parents can be shown how to fit the restraint correctly
• Adjust the harness to fit baby as snugly as possible, and ensure the straps are not twisted.
• If you use a bunny rug, put it on over the top of the harness.
• The baby’s nappy should not be thickly folded at the back, otherwise the baby’s back will not be evenly supported.
• If an infant restraint is to be used in a position where there is an airbag, check the car owner’s manual for advice.
• DO NOT place an infant restraint in the front seat, particularly where there are front airbags.

further information

• Learn about the laws and standards on child restraints.
• For advice on fitting the restraint correctly see: Fit the restraint correctly or RACV members can contact the Motoring advisory line on (03) 9790 2190 for free motoring advice
• Tips on how to use the restraint correctly
• Download RACV’s latest Child Restraint Evaluation Program results