Car Seat Buying Guide
Updated June 10, 2015.
It was a fairly warm day for December as my husband loaded our luggage and the new baby into the car for our first trip. We were going home from the hospital. I remember being told that everything changes once you have a baby. Driving in a car was no different.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, she was nestled in her car seat with the head snuggly and her head still drooped. So I rode in the back seat with my finger on her forehead to keep it upright.
As I stared out the window, I became acutely aware that now every car seemed to be aimed at us and our precious cargo. Suddenly my husband was driving way to fast and the bumps in the road were unbearably harsh for our baby.
Some scary facts:
There are different types of car seats dependent upon the age and weight of the child. There are even special guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for premature and low-birthweight infants.
Car Seat Basics
There are four basic kinds of car seats: infant only/carrier, convertible, forward facing and boosters
Infant Only
These car seats are smaller and usually offer the best fit for newborns. They are rear facing and usually hold up to 20 lbs., though some will go a bit beyond this. Many are now sold with added features such as bases, ability to attach to shopping carts, strollers, etc.
They will also be sold with tether straps after September 1, 1999 for added newborn safety. The harness tends to be either a three or five point restraint.
Convertible
These are designed to be for both newborns and forward facing infants, sometimes through the toddler years. This seat has the ability to be rear facing for smaller and younger infants, and to convert to a forward facing seat once the child is older and weighs more. There are very few features added on to these. Harnesses can be a three/five point restraint, a shield, or an over-the-head shield.
Forward Facing
These seats are strictly forward facing and for infants who are greater than 20 lbs. (or more depending on the car seat) and over one year of age. These cannot be used for newborns or infants under 20 lbs.. Harnesses can be a three/five point restraint, a shield, or an over-the-head shield.
Boosters
These are generally for children over 30-40 lbs., depending on the manufacturer. Harness can be anything from the regular seat belt to a lap shield or a harness system.
Shopping for a Car Seat
The AAP states that there is no one best car seat in their shopping guide. They stress that seats are continually tested. Other points to remember are that extra expensive does not mean added safety.
My advice is to talk to other parents about what they've liked and disliked about car seats. Read Baby Bargains and the Consumer Reports Guide to Baby Products for more on consumer alerts and comparison shopping.
Be grateful but concerned about donated car seats. Have them inspected by your local inspection authority to ensure that the seat is still in the best shape for your child.
Installing the Car Seat
You've made your final choice! Congratulations. Now you really need to install the car seat in your car prior to your water breaking, preferably a few weeks before baby's due date.
When installing the car seat read the instructions, even though it may look fairly simple, it can be quite confusing. Car seats, or children for that matter, do not belong in the front seat, particularly if there are air bags. They can kill your children, even if buckled in the car seat correctly. Most cars have warnings that say this. Check with your owner's handbook if you're unsure if your car has air bags.
Remember that the photos on the box your car seat came in may not always show the proper way to install the car seat.
Don't forget to ask for help from an experienced parent when in doubt. Many hospitals will now check for a properly installed car seat prior to discharge, but in case they don't, you don't want a false sense of security. Even after months of using it, every three months it's wise to inspect the car seat. It only takes a minute.
It was a fairly warm day for December as my husband loaded our luggage and the new baby into the car for our first trip. We were going home from the hospital. I remember being told that everything changes once you have a baby. Driving in a car was no different.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, she was nestled in her car seat with the head snuggly and her head still drooped. So I rode in the back seat with my finger on her forehead to keep it upright.
As I stared out the window, I became acutely aware that now every car seemed to be aimed at us and our precious cargo. Suddenly my husband was driving way to fast and the bumps in the road were unbearably harsh for our baby.
Some scary facts:
- According to recent studies an average of 9 children a day, under the age of 15, are killed in motor vehicle accidents.
- Only 50% of children are routinely buckled in.
- More than 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly.
There are different types of car seats dependent upon the age and weight of the child. There are even special guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for premature and low-birthweight infants.
Car Seat Basics
There are four basic kinds of car seats: infant only/carrier, convertible, forward facing and boosters
Infant Only
These car seats are smaller and usually offer the best fit for newborns. They are rear facing and usually hold up to 20 lbs., though some will go a bit beyond this. Many are now sold with added features such as bases, ability to attach to shopping carts, strollers, etc.
They will also be sold with tether straps after September 1, 1999 for added newborn safety. The harness tends to be either a three or five point restraint.
Convertible
These are designed to be for both newborns and forward facing infants, sometimes through the toddler years. This seat has the ability to be rear facing for smaller and younger infants, and to convert to a forward facing seat once the child is older and weighs more. There are very few features added on to these. Harnesses can be a three/five point restraint, a shield, or an over-the-head shield.
Forward Facing
These seats are strictly forward facing and for infants who are greater than 20 lbs. (or more depending on the car seat) and over one year of age. These cannot be used for newborns or infants under 20 lbs.. Harnesses can be a three/five point restraint, a shield, or an over-the-head shield.
Boosters
These are generally for children over 30-40 lbs., depending on the manufacturer. Harness can be anything from the regular seat belt to a lap shield or a harness system.
Shopping for a Car Seat
The AAP states that there is no one best car seat in their shopping guide. They stress that seats are continually tested. Other points to remember are that extra expensive does not mean added safety.
My advice is to talk to other parents about what they've liked and disliked about car seats. Read Baby Bargains and the Consumer Reports Guide to Baby Products for more on consumer alerts and comparison shopping.
Be grateful but concerned about donated car seats. Have them inspected by your local inspection authority to ensure that the seat is still in the best shape for your child.
Installing the Car Seat
You've made your final choice! Congratulations. Now you really need to install the car seat in your car prior to your water breaking, preferably a few weeks before baby's due date.
When installing the car seat read the instructions, even though it may look fairly simple, it can be quite confusing. Car seats, or children for that matter, do not belong in the front seat, particularly if there are air bags. They can kill your children, even if buckled in the car seat correctly. Most cars have warnings that say this. Check with your owner's handbook if you're unsure if your car has air bags.
Remember that the photos on the box your car seat came in may not always show the proper way to install the car seat.
Don't forget to ask for help from an experienced parent when in doubt. Many hospitals will now check for a properly installed car seat prior to discharge, but in case they don't, you don't want a false sense of security. Even after months of using it, every three months it's wise to inspect the car seat. It only takes a minute.