Parents often ask which of the many car seats is the best car seat on the market. The truth is, the best car seat is the one that fits your vehicle, your budget, your baby and that you will use properly each time your baby rides in the car.
There are several criteria to help you decide your car seat for your lovely babies and toddlers.
Safety first
Some car seats may have extra features that make them easier to install correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-twisting straps. Because proper installation is key in car seat safety, these installation helpers may add safety for some people.
Car seats must fit the baby
Use your baby’s height, weight and age to choose the type of car seat to use. Rear-facing-only infant car seats are used through about 20 lbs. Convertible car seats are used rear-facing until baby is at least 1 year old and weighs at least 20 lbs., and forward-facing through the weight limit listed on the car seat. Height-wise, baby’s head should be one inch or more below the top of the car seat when rear-facing. For front-facing seats, the tops of baby’s ears should be below the seat top.
Easy installation
Check the car seat manual to be sure you can install and use the car seat as it is intended. Can you adjust the harness to secure baby in the car seat? Choose a car seat that you will use according to the instructions.
Are Used Car Seats Safe?
Steer clear of used car seats if you cannot get an accurate history of the car seat’s use. You must know a car seat’s crash history to determine safety. Car crashes can cause hidden damage to car seats, and the car seat could fail in a second crash, putting your child at risk of injury.
If you aren’t careful, you could end up needing to buy an infant only seat, a convertible car seat, and a booster seat as your child passes the weight or height limits of the car seats that you buy.
For older kids, choose a car seat with high weight and height limits that is easy to use and will last your child as long as possible. Remember the states that “no one seat is the “best” or the “safest,” so choose a seat that fits in your car, meets your child’s height and weight requirements and is easy to install.
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September 5th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Those are all great things to look for in a car seat. It can be hard to find the perfect one right away, but it is important to consider these few things! Thanks for sharing! :)