Everything you need to know about baby capsules
Car seat type: Baby Capsule. Age range: 0-12 months*.
*This age range is a guide only. Your child may fit a seat for a longer or shorter amount of time.
What's included in this guide:
- Benefits and drawbacks of using a baby capsule
- Features to look for when choosing a baby capsule
- Information on second-hand baby capsules
What is a baby capsule?
A baby capsule is a type of rearward-facing car seat (looking at the back car window) which comes in 2 distinct parts – a base, which stays secured in your vehicle, and a carrier with an inbuilt harness, which easily clicks in and out of the base. Some capsules can be used without the base unit, but for safety and stability, it is recommended to use a base. Depending on the model, baby capsules can accommodate babies until they are around 6-12 months old. However, this may vary depending on your baby’s growth rate and could be more or less than this. Capsules are only able to be used as rearward-facing car seats.
Capsules have a reputation for convenience; they allow for smooth transitions while you’re out and about, which is handy if your baby is settled and comfy in the capsule. They allow you to strap your baby safely into the capsule within your home, relocate the capsule into your vehicle to travel somewhere, then remove your baby from the car at your destination without having to disturb your baby. After that, you can either hold the capsule or click it into your pram if you have compatible models.
Is it worth buying a baby capsule?
The answer is…it’s up to you! Whether or not it’s worth buying a capsule will depend on your lifestyle, your baby and your budget.
What are the benefits of using a baby capsule?
There are some benefits that a capsule offers, which a convertible car seat cannot provide:
- Capsule car seats enable you to transition your baby smoothly in and out of your vehicle while you’re on the go.
- Capsules can be compatible with prams which can make it simple to transport your baby without disturbing their sleep. If you use your pram to transport your baby in their capsule, it’s important to be aware of how long you have had your baby in the capsule and make sure to remove them from time to time to stretch their spine and clear their airways.
Are there any drawbacks to using a baby capsule?
There are some factors which may mean a capsule isn’t the right choice for you:
- Capsules can be heavy or awkward to carry, especially as your little one gets bigger and heavier.
- In some cars, bigger capsules can reduce the space available for people in the front seats.
Capsules generally won’t be used for a long period of time for each baby, which can make them less cost-effective than a seat that can last for a number of years.
If you decide that buying a capsule isn’t practical for your family, you can choose to hire one instead. Hiring a capsule is a cost-effective way to get the benefits of using a baby capsule for your infant, allowing to you transition easily when they outgrow it. Ask a team member at your local Baby Bunting store for more information about capsule hire.
What features to look for when choosing a baby capsule
When you’re looking to purchase a capsule, there are some things to consider as your browse the options.
Safety and installation features
Look out for safety and convenience features such as an active headrest, which is dynamic in an accident to absorb force, and easy-adjust straps, which let you keep the harness at the perfect height for your child as they grow. Depending on your vehicle, you may want a capsule with a base that has ISOFIX, which allows you to install the seat using built-in connectors to anchors that are positioned in your car’s vehicle seats.
The type of pram you have or want
If you want to get more out of your capsule, having a baby capsule that fits into your pram will be an important feature. Not all capsules are compatible with all prams, and some may be compatible but only with special adaptors. If you have a certain capsule in mind, or already have your pram picked out, this can help guide your decisions on these big-ticket items.
Length of the capsule
This is especially important if your car has limited internal space. When a capsule is installed, it may push your front seat forward, impacting legroom in the front. Some capsules are more compact than others, so if you need to reduce the impact of your capsule on the front seats, then it can be a useful exercise to visit our stores and try these in your vehicle for fit.
Weight of the capsule
Capsules range in weight. Many are between 4kg and 5kg, but some are as light as 3.75kg and others as heavy as 6.8kg. Once you add baby’s weight and consider you may also be loaded up with a nappy bag, you may find that every bit of weight counts. You’ll be carrying and lifting the capsule in and out of the car at an awkward angle, which can become tricky if it is too heavy.
Should I purchase a second-hand baby capsule?
Our experienced child restraint technicians discourage the purchase of second-hand child restraints as you can never be 100% sure of their history. It may not always be obvious that a second-hand capsule has been involved in an accident, important parts may be missing, or it may already have passed the expiry date.
However, sometimes using a second-hand capsule is right for your family situation. In this case, it’s wise to proceed with caution and ask a few questions before using it for your child:
- Do you know the full history? Has the baby capsule been involved in an accident or stored for a length of time?
- Has the capsule been visibly damaged or modified in anyway?
- Is the capsule in line with current manufacturing standards, or does it meet previous versions of the standard?
- Is the capsule complete with all the components in good condition and in place?
- Is the capsule within the manufacturer's recommended lifespan?
Would you like more information on choosing the right capsule for your child? Make sure you call or visit our experienced team in store.
Alternatively, you can view our range of baby capsules on our dedicated Capsules page.
