Car seats are one of the most essential items of baby gear you'll need when welcoming your new baby into your home, and there is a lot to take into consideration before you buy. This car seat buying guide will help you figure out how to buy a baby car seat that will best meet your needs and keep your baby safe.
The first time you bring your baby home and every outing thereafter, you will need a car seat. It's important to make a good decision when it comes to the safety of your child. There are many makes and models to choose from, but there are three main types of child safety seats: infant car seats, convertible car seats and booster seats.
As your baby grows, your needs will change and your baby gear will need to be updated. When you bring your newborn home from the hospital, you will need an infant car seat, but by the time you drop your child off on the first day of school, he or she will be big enough a booster seat.
Infant car seats are always rear-facing and are meant for use from birth until your baby reaches the height and weight limits of the seat, typically 22-30 pounds (6-9 months) depending on the model of the car seat. Infant car seats are small and typically have handles for carrying. Some infant car seats come as part of a stroller or traveling system, and many also come with a convenient base that stays in the automobile. The seat clicks into and out of the base, so it doesn't have to be installed each time you run an errand. It's a good idea to buy more than one base for use in additional vehicles. Infant car seats are safer than convertible car seats for newborns and babies under 30 pounds. You'll need to switch to a convertible car seat once your baby outgrows your infant car seat.
Convertible car seats can be used in a rear-facing position or a forward-facing position as your baby grows. This extends the useful life-span of your car seat. Convertible car seats have higher rear-facing maximum weight and height limits (1 year or up to 35 pounds) than infant seats. You should use your convertible car seat in the rear-facing position for as long as possible, as this is the safest way for your baby to travel. Some convertible car seats have as many as five different reclining positions to keep your baby optimally positioned for safety. The incline should be adjusted as close to 45 degrees as possible for maximum safety. Convertible car seats are larger and heavier than infant car seats and do not come with carrying handles or a separate base, but they can accommodate toddlers up to 40 pounds or more. This means that you won't have to buy a new car seat when your baby becomes a toddler.
Booster car seats should be used until your child exceeds 80 pounds and 57 inches tall because 57 inches tall is the minimum height requirement for your car's seat belts. Children under 13 years old should always ride in the back seat and should always use over the shoulder safety belts -- never just a lap belt.
Front-facing toddler car seat
Front-facing toddler seats are similar to convertible car seats but can only be used in the front-facing position. Front-facing toddler seats use a built in harness system similar to those of infant and convertible car seats, but when your child reaches 40 pounds or more, the harness can be removed and the seat converted into a booster. A booster seat positions your child safely for use of your car's seat belts.
Belt-positioning or standard booster car seat
Whether you decide to go with a convertible car seat or a front-facing toddler seat, eventually you will need to move up in size to a booster seat. Inevitably your child will exceed the height and weight limits of harness system car seats. Booster seats make your child tall enough to be able to safely use your car's seat belts. The seat belt should fit across your child's sternum (not the neck) and low across the upper thigh (not the stomach).
Belt-positioning booster seats have a high back and include a safety guide for proper seat belt positioning. A standard booster seat is usually just a cushioned platform without a back to lift your child high enough to use a seat belt. Most booster seats are relatively inexpensive and can accommodate differences in cars and seat belt positions.
Are more expensive car seats safer?
No. A higher price does not necessarily mean the car seat is safer or easier to use. The best car seat is the one that fits your baby's age and size, is installed properly and fits your vehicle best. For example, if your car was made on or after September 1, 2002, chances are it comes with the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). LATCH is a built-in attachment system for car seats which eliminates the need to use seat belts to secure your car seat. But unless both your car and the car seat have this anchoring system, you will still need to install your child safety seat using your car's safety belts.
Do I have to buy an infant car seat or can I use a convertible seat for my newborn?
The safest car seat for your newborn is an infant car seat. You should use an infant seat for the first 6 to 9 months and then switch to a convertible seat. They grow up so fast, it's true, but don't let that tempt you to buy a seat that is too big and then purchase products that say they can help make your baby fit the seat. These products interfere with the safety of the seat and make it unsafe for your baby to use. You should buy the car seat that was made to fit your baby's size; don't try to make your baby fit a car seat that is too big.
What's the difference between high-back and backless booster car seats?
Both types of booster seats are meant for use with your car's safety belts. High-back booster seats are good for cars that don't have headrests and cars with low seat backs. Many high-back booster seats are also combination seats with harnesses for smaller children and seat belt compatibility for older children. Backless boosters are safe for use in cars with head rests and high seat backs. Backless boosters are typically less expensive and easier to move from vehicle to vehicle.
Are all car seat harnesses the same?
Most infant and convertible car seats have a built-in adjustable five-point harness system. The five-point system has two straps for the shoulders, two for the thighs and a crotch strap. The extra straps on the five-point harness system make it safer than a three-point harness by preventing your child from sliding out of the harness and, in the event of a crash, the five-point harness spreads the force of the crash more evenly across your child's body than the three-point harness. In seats with a high weight capacity, look for ones with the most harness slots. Harness slots adjust the height of the harness, and the more slots there are, the better the seat can grow with your child.
Strollers and travel systems
Many infant car seats come included as part of a travel system. Travel systems typically include an easy-to-carry infant car seat, a mounting base for your car and a lightweight stroller. The infant seat snaps easily into and out of the base for no-fuss transition into and out of your stroller. You don't have to buy a travel system to be able to use your car seat with a stroller. Many strollers can accommodate infant seats from other manufacturers. Overstock.com has a wide variety of travel systems and stand-alone strollers to make traveling with your baby safe and easy.
Backpacks and carriers
A travel system is a great choice for parents who mostly drive. But for urban-dwellers who mostly walk or take public transportation, a car seat and stroller just aren't convenient. Overstock.com has the solution: Baby carriers are the comfortable, convenient, non-bulky must-have in baby gear for city folk. Made from lightweight, breathable fabric and utilizing a five-point harness system for even weight distribution, baby carriers can be worn comfortably for long periods of time. Your baby can nestle directly against your body in a natural, stable hip position leaving your hands free while you walk, shop and ride around town. Overstock.com has a wide variety of colors and prints to fit your personality.
Diaper bags
Every mom or dad on the go needs a great diaper bag. A well-designed diaper bag can make all the difference between a smooth day and a disaster. Carry snacks, drinks, diapers, wipes and toys for baby plus cell phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses for you. Overstock.com has fully featured diaper bags in every color and style for both moms and dads.
