ABC Baby Land Blog

Car seats aren’t just essential; they’re  the law.  As soon as you leave the hospital, you’ll need to be prepared to transport baby safely–no matter where you go.  That’s why, before baby arrives, you should do some research and carefully choose an appropriate car seat.

Knowing a car seat is required is the easy part, but choosing the right one is tricky.  It’s similar to buying a car: there are scads of body types, upholstery styles, safety features, and prices.

Before You Buy

Before going into the nitty-gritty of car seat types and features, keep in mind these helpful guidelines:

• Choose a seat that you find easy to use and that fits in your vehicle. Be sure it can be buckled tightly.

• Look for a seat you can use in the rear-facing position for as long as possible.

• Be aware of weight limits.

• Keep in mind that if you buy an infant-only seat, you will need an infant/toddler (convertible) seat later.

• Determine what type of seat you need based on your child’s age and weight.

• Be sure it’s a car seat. Sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to confuse some top-of-the-line carriers with car seats. Make sure the product description specifies “car seat.”

• Look for car seats featuring easy-release latches and buckles. When your hands are full, an easy release can save aggravation.

• Make sure there’s wiggle room. You want baby to be comfortable year-round, so allow room in the seat for bundling up during cold weather. Make sure the product description indicates that the seat accommodates larger youngsters than yours.

So Many Choices!

There are as many opinions about the safest, most comfortable, and most convenient car seats as there are car seats. But there is only one absolute to follow in the process: a baby car seat must pass Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Make sure when you’re shopping around that the seat you choose has passed muster.

There are three types of car seats available:

Infant Seats (Used specifically for infants up to 22 pounds or 26 inches long.)

Although there are many brands and features to choose from, all infant car seats have one thing in common: they are designed to support a developing infant’s back, neck, and head. Infant car seats should be installed rear-facing (facing the vehicle’s back window) in the center of the back seat. For added convenience, many models offer a stay-in-car base that allows both quick installation and gentle removal to prevent waking a sleeping baby. Newer infant car seats offer a safe, five-point harness restraint system (older styles may have only a three-point harness) that secures baby at the shoulders, hips, and crotch.

Convertible Seats (Used for newborns up to approximately 20 pounds, then for toddlers from 20 to 40 pounds.)

These seats are so named because they convert from a rear-facing infant seat to a forward-facing seat, allowing you to keep the same one until baby is well into toddler-hood or weighs 40 pounds.

Like infant seats, convertible car seats usually have a five-point restraint system consisting of straps–two at the shoulders, two at the hips, and one at the crotch. This allows parents to adjust the harness closer to baby’s body and it’s easy to buckle and unbuckle. This is the best choice if you’re using the seat for a small baby, and it provides the best protection against head injury. Some convertible seats also offer an overhead shield — a padded bar that swings down over baby’s head and buckles to the seat at the crotch.

Booster Seats

When your child has outgrown the convertible seat but is too small to use your car’s safety belt system alone, it’s time for a booster seat. Designed specifically to help standard vehicle seat belts fit children better, these specialized seats are appropriate for children who are 4 to 8 years old, weigh between 40 and 80 pounds, and are shorter than 4 feet 9.

Boosters reduce the potential for belt-induced injuries in small children and help transition them from a safety seat to an adult-size lap and shoulder belt.

What About Preemies?

These extra-small bundles of joy need added attention while on the road. Here are some helpful suggestions when considering a seat for a preemie.

• Use a seat with the shortest distances from seat to harness strap slots, and from back to crotch strap.

• Supplement baby’s comfort and safety by rolling blankets or towels and placing them on either side of baby to keep his head from slumping.

• Never place any extra cushioning under or behind the baby.

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