How to Replace a Car Seat

When and how to replace your childs car seat safely.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• proper sized car seat
• back seat of a vehicle
• seat belt

1. 
   rear facing car seat

   first of all you need to decide what size car seat is best for your child. If you have a newborn then either a rear facing infant only seat that holds from birth weight up to about 20-22 lbs, some accommodate up to 30 lbs, or you can choose a convertible car seat which are very nice because they grow with your baby and save you from having to purchase another car seat so soon, once a baby turns one year(this is your choice, you do not have to but it is legal) to turn them forward in the convertable seat or forward facing car seat, which generally holds up to about 40 lbs, then go onto a booster seat which generally holds up to anywhere from 80 to 100 lbs.

2. 
   tether strap

   It is very simple once you have the car seat to actually install it into your car, if its brand new, (which is the best way to go that way you know it hasn't been in a car accident) it should have step by step instructions telling you how to safely install it, there should also be a sticker on the side of the seat which instructions as well.
   If you are leaving the hospital with your newborn, a registered nurse will generally walk with you to your car and make sure it is properly installed and answer any questions you have.
   generally you put it in the car facing the desired directions, the middle of the back seat is the safest place, usually the seat belt will go through a section in the back (if its forward facing) pull the belt as tight as possible not allowing any slack, make sure the seat belt is locked.
   Most cars have a tether strap, The tether strap for a forward-facing child car safety seat must be used. The tether strap is located on the rear of the child car safety seat and has a hook. The hook is designed to attach the strap to the tether anchorage on the vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Ensure the tether is only secured to the designated anchorage point(s) in the vehicle as specified by the manufacturer.

3. 
   Booster seat

   Booster seats are designed to raise your child so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. This means the lap belt lies low across your child's upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your child's chest and shoulder. Correct belt fit helps protect the stomach, spine, and head from injury in a crash. Both high-back and backless booster seats are available. They do not come with harness straps but are used with the lap and shoulder seat belts in your vehicle, the same way an adult rides. Booster seats should be used until your child can correctly fit in lap and shoulder seat belts (see "Seat belts" below).
   
   Your child should stay in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible before switching to a booster seat. You can tell when your child is ready for a booster seat when one of the following is true:
   Belt-positioning booster seat
   
   She reaches the top weight or height allowed for her seat with a harness. (These limits are listed on the seat and are also included in the instruction booklet.)
   Her shoulders are above the harness slots.
   Her ears have reached the top of the seat.

Tips & Warnings

• The soonest you are able to turn your child forward facing is one year AND 20 lbs, this does not mean you have to do this, the longer your child is rear facing the better and the safest, at least until your child reaches the weight limit of the seat.
• If you are ever in a car accident with your child, the child safety seat must be discarded and replaced, if you are taken to the hospital,(even in fender benders its always good to have your baby checked over just in case), most hospitals will not let you leave with the same car seat, and will provide you with a new one to take home! :)
• There is some controversy about the "expiration" date for safety seats. All experts agree that a seat should be discarded and destroyed if it is more than 10 years old, even if it looks fine. Most manufacturers suggest replacing a seat 5 to 8 years after the date of manufacture, because current safety seats may have better safety features than older seats, such as a tether or air bag warnings. The date of manufacture may be found on a sticker on the seat (unless it has peeled off) and may be stamped into the plastic shell. However, don’t confuse patent dates, which can also be molded into the plastic, with the date the individual safety seat was manufactured.