Baby Car seats are an investment for baby's safety

Aside from basic needs, if you and your baby will be riding in a car at any time the one thing you really need ia a baby carseat. You can pore over all the different carseats at the local Babies R Us store for hours trying to figure out which one is best. In reality, there is no one carseat that is better than others. There are certain things you want to keep in mind when you are shopping for a baby car seat, however.

The first thing to consider… is the seat you are thinking of buying appropriate for your child’s size and weight? Does it fit the requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)? If you have an infant, you will want a rear-facing seat. If your child is over a year old and over twenty pounds, you can look at forward facing seats. And if your child is forty pounds or heavier, and their ears reach the top of the seat, they are ready for a booster seat.

With any seat, the most important part is that it fits properly in your car. Each car model’s seats are slightly different… they may be mounted at a slightly different angle or have more or less padding… all of these elements affect how well a carseat fits in your car.

Infant Seats

Infant seats are made to face backward. Most are detachable from the base, so a baby can be transferred from the car to a shopping cart or stroller. How easy is it to detach and reattach securely? You’ll want to look for one that is easy to put baby into and take baby out of, and one that offers more than one place for the straps to come out so they can be adjusted as baby grows. Try out the handle… is it comfortable to carry with ten or more pounds of baby in it?

Convertible Seats

Convertible seats are made to face backward when baby is young, and then it can be turned forward when baby is older. They don’t fit newborns as well as the infant seats, but you can add specially made accessories that will help hold baby’s head in place and make them more secure. They are also heavier and may be more difficult to maneuver. On the plus side, you can use the same seat for a longer period of time. Convertible seats come in a variety of harnesses… the five point, the T-shield and the overhead shield. Choose one that is easy for you to operate.

Used Seats

If you can, don’t buy a used seat. If you must use one, make sure it has never been in an accident. Even though it looks fine, carseats are made to withstand one accident. It may be weakened from the stresses of the accident. Look for the label that lists the manufacturer, the model number and manufacturing date. With this information, you can look up any safety recalls for that model. Get instructions for installation… some seats glue this onto the back of the seat. Look carefully for signs of wear and tear or signs of stress on the frame.

A carseat is a very important purchase, so do your homework, and find one that meets safety requirements and fits your budget.

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