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A car seat is something every parent must buy. From birth up to school years, your child will need to be transported to and from in a car seat.
Make sure your infant car seat is properly installed before you go to the hospital to bring your bundle of joy. You’ll need it for the trip home.

There are a variety of car seats to choose from, and we’re going to try and make it as easy as possible and informative so that you can make the best choice for you and your child. Saying that please remember that the convenience function is no less important, if the car seat won’t be comfortable for your child then he or she won’t like to seat in it.

The best way to determine a quality car seat is to purchase one that is ideal for your baby’s height and weight.

There are 4 sub-categories:

Infant Car Seats

These sub-group car seats are designed especially with        a young baby in mind. All children under the age of 1 are required by law to be in an infant car seat that is rear facing. There are some infant only car seats, these seats are smaller in size to contour specifically to a newborn’s body, and are usable for the first year of the baby or up to 20 pounds.        A few designs extend beyond that.
Infant car seats feature a 5 point harness system that safely restrains and protects baby, is the most effective way possible.  The first few times you use a 5 point harness you may fumble with it, but you’ll become a pro in a short amount of time.

Convertible Car Seats

Most of these car seats are considered “convertible” due to their ability to be installed both in rear facing position for infants, as well as forward facing for young children over a year old. After a baby reaches his first birthday and weighs 20 pounds, the convertible seat can be turned around facing forward and still be roomy and comfy. Most convertible car seats will accommodate your growing baby trough the toddler year to about 40 pounds.
Many convertible seats recline and that’s a great feature because it’s cozy enough for the baby to sleep in. It’s hard to tell how a convertible car seat will work until you install it. If you choose one with a recline mechanism, they tend to fit well no matter what.
As babies become toddlers, they tend to enjoy rides in the car and really like their comfy convertible car seat. The height of the seat allows them to look out of the windows easily and see their surroundings. Not to mention the plush seat is extremely comfortable and they like feeling secure with the 5 point harness.

Toddler Car Seats

If you have previously invested in an infant only car seat, and once a baby exceeds height and safety requirements for your specific seat, it is time to buy a replacement. children who are over the age of one and weighs at least 20 pounds are eligible for a toddler style car seat. Many toddler car seats go up to 80-100 pounds and have a 5 point harness system. Toddler seats are plush and padded like convertible seats.

Booster Car Seats

Booster car seats are a great transition piece for children who are not quite big enough to ride like the grownups.
Kids usually remain in the booster until they are able to properly wear an adult seat belt, which happens at around 4′9″. Your child may be taller or shorter than this, depending upon his weight and the maximum adjustments of your convertible car seat. You will know your child has officially outgrown his car seat when his shoulders are resting above the top slots of the harness, or his ears are in alignment with the top of the seat.
Boosters come in two styles- high back and backless. There is no benefit to either, other than style and comfort preferences.
Lap belts cannot be used with booster car seats ( important to know before you make a purchase). Evaluate your car’s settings so you’ll know exactly what will or won’t work with your vehicle. You will want to purchase a high back booster if your car does not have headrests and/ or your seats are lower than what is considered standard.
Backless boosters, which are also very safe, are convenient for parents who need to continually move the booster from one to another, or is the chosen vehicle has high seat backs or useful headrests.
While many booster car seats feature a backless cushioned seat, some parents just fell safer with their child in a 5 point harness system, even if the child is big enough to ride in a booster with a seat belt across the lap and chest.

Never mind what you choose, always buckle up!

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