How to Choose a Car Seat

Choosing the right car seat can be an agonizing process for nervous new parents, and a significant expense as well. Research, talk to other parents, and buy the best seat you can afford to keep your child as safe and comfortable as possible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Consumer Reports
• Consumer Reports
• Consumer Reports
• Safety information

1. Thank Uncle Sam for seats that are easy to put in. The National Highway and Transportation and Safety Board, recognizing that 80 percent of car seats are installed incorrectly, designed the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system to make installing a seat safely and properly a cinch. LATCH technology is required in all new cars built after September 2002.

2. Research. Car seats come in many categories with a lot of overlap. Decide if you want an infant car seat or an infant/ toddler combo, which is installed rear-facing for an infant and turned around when the child is 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) and one year old.

3. Read Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org) for in-depth comparisons of various seats in each category. Confirm that any seat you're considering has passed the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) test.

4. Read the parent comments on Web sites such as BabyCenter.com. You'll find solid information from real users about what works (easy to install, comfy armrests) and what doesn't (hard to adjust, poor padding). If a parent says his or her child can unbuckle a particular seat, and you have a little monkey, keep looking.

5. Get an infant seat before your baby is born. Designed to hold children up to 20 lbs. (9.1 kg), infant car seats are installed rearfacing to cradle the baby's head and back as securely as possible. Many seats, such as Graco and Snap-N-Go, snap into a carmounted base, allowing smooth liftoffs for sleeping babies. Expect to pay $60 or more or borrow one.

6. After the first year, graduate to a seat designed for passengers up to 40 lbs (18.1 kg). A forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness will keep your child safe and comfortable for several years. It should be easy to install and have a locking mechanism your child can't unfasten. The straps should not get twisted or jammed. There's a wide range of seats available, and many good ones (such as Graco, Evenflo and Eddie Bauer) in the $100 range. Many parents buy a Britax (britaxchildcare.com), the creme de la creme of car seats, which is safe, well-designed, comfortable and easy to install securely.

7. Give a child over 40 lbs. (18.1 kg) a boost. Required by law in many states for children up to 60 lbs. (27.2 kg), booster seats generally thread the standard seatbelt through a back or headrest at a height suitable for small bodies. Research and shop around for the best booster for your youngster.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to borrow an infant car seat from a friend or family member who is no longer using it. Babies grow fast and most infant seats can withstand several years of use. Just make sure the seat is still compliant with safety regulations.
• Your child is more likely to fall asleep in a car seat that's comfortable.
• Local police and fire departments often provide information and demonstrations on car seat safety and installation.
• Ask if you can install a car seat before you buy it to make sure it fits your car and is easy to install correctly.
• Don't buy a second-hand car seat. If it has been in an accident, it is illegal to use since its ability to keep your child safe in another wreck could be greatly compromised.
• If you get into an accident with a car seat in your car, the law prohibits using that seat any longer.

[goodpapa]

on 6/10/2009 Great article! I am always concerned about my children safety and do everything to protect them. I buy all of my safety products at www.kindersafetyproducts.com and highly recommend this website to every parent. Check it out.

[davidhoffman]

on 10/11/2007 also, before settling on a car seat, it's helpful to verify the child restraint requirement for the state you live in:
http://www.childseatcenter.com/article10.html

on 11/22/2005 AAP Guidelines recommend rear facing your child until the limits of the seat - not to 1 year and certainly not to 20 pounds. This is to protect the delicate cervical bones in the event of the most common types of crashes. Look for seats with higher rear-facing weight limits.