Car Seats - Buying an Infant Car Seat

WHAT KIND OF CAR SEAT DO YOU WANT?

Alright, let's get a little detailed here as to what styles of baby and toddler car seat are available, so you know what you are looking at while shopping.

Infant car seat - The infant car seat has become one of the most popular styles of car seat. Typically used for infants up to 22 pounds (although some now go up to 30 pounds), infant car seats are compact, come with a carrying handle and an car seat base, which allows the carrier portion to easily be taken out. In general, infant car seats are equipped with a five-point harness which is the most secure. Infant car seats can be purchase separately or in a travel system featuring a coordinating stroller.

• Pros: Parents find an infant carrier convenient, especially with a sleeping baby, to carry the entire seat to and from the house or store without disruption. Due to the compact size and ability to get a secure installation, Consumers Reports recommends starting with an infant car seat and considers them "the safest way to transport the youngest babies."
• Cons: Unfortunately, an infant baby car seat will receive a year or less of use, depending baby's on size. Many babies begin to outgrow their infant seat around 6-9 months. Plus, as baby grows an infant car seat will become heavy, regardless of the seat chosen.

Convertible car seat - A combination car seat that can be used rear-facing up to 30-35 pounds and forward-facing up to 40 pounds. Some manufacturers, including Britax, and Cosco have expanded their weight limit up to 65 pounds while still in a harness. A convertible car seat is what you will need if baby reaches 20 pounds before turning a year old to remain rear-facing the appropriate amount of time. Many convertible seats are also being made to be a belt positioning booster seat for preschool aged children, further extending the value of the seat.

• Pros: Convertible car seats are a good value for the money spent since it can be used for several years and several stages.
• Cons: Convertible car seats tend to be bulkier as they are made for multi-uses. Due to this, some convertible car seats may not fit in smaller cars while rear-facing. For infants, the convertible is not as secure and compact as an infant car seat.

While shopping you will also encounter car seats made specifically for toddlers and older children. These particular car seats should not be used for infants under 20 pounds or one year.

Toddler car seat - A toddler car seat is forward-facing only, so it can only be used after baby has reached 20 pounds and one-year. Generally these seats will hold toddlers up to 40 pounds, lasting 1-2 years. As with the convertible car seats above, several manufactures have created sturdier harnesses to hold toddlers up to 65 pounds, increasing the life of the seat.

Child booster seat - Made for older children four years and older booster seats work strictly with the vehicle‘s seat belts. Only children who no longer need to be in a harness system should ride in a booster seat. A booster can have a high back (recommended for younger children) or no back (recommended for older children).

CAR SEAT SPECIFICS

Now that you understand the options, think about some specific questions relevant to your family and your town.

What are the car seat laws in your state?

All states require children under four years old be restrained in a harnessed car seat. With recent research, many states are now requiring older children to be in car seats and/or booster seats until they reach 4'9" or the age of eight. A current listing of Child Passenger Safety Laws can be found here.

How big is your baby?

All car seats have height and weight requirements. These are the minimums and maximums the seat is safe and should be adhered to. Larger babies will quickly outgrow a smaller infant carrier within six months of use. If you think your infant is going to be on the bigger side, you will want to look at car seats with higher height/weight limits to gain the maximum use out of the seat. Likewise smaller preschoolers may not be ready for a belt positioning booster seat until they are closer to five years old due to height and weight.

How old is your baby?

There are different requirements depending on the age and size of your child. Infants should be rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and their first birthday - longer if possible. Toddlers (over one year) can ride forward facing within a harness system. Older children move into a booster seat around the age of four, depending on the maturity and the size.

What will fit in my vehicle?

Each car seat will fit differently in each model of car. Though the safest position for a car seat is the middle of the backseat, whichever spot fits the car seat best is the safest position. Feel free to test the seat out first. Many baby stores will allow parents to test the store model. Take it to your car to see if it fits. Things to think about: Do you have multiple seats going into the back seat? Do you have two-doors or four? Will the rear facing seat fit comfortably without squishing the seat or other passengers?

THE BEST CAR SEATS

With several car seat brands to choose from, where does a parent start? Graco, Britax, Evenflo, and Chicco are just some of the many brand names you will encounter while searching. Let's see what is being said about infant car seats and what your best bets are going to be.

Overall car seat ratings: What is the best infant car seat?

The praise never ends for Chicco car seats. Most recommended by parents, Consumer Reports, and pediatric professionals, Chicco typically has the highest crash test ratings, and is one of the easiest to use and comes in a trendy fashionable style to boot. Chicco car seats are also fairly priced and can be purchased at most baby gear retailers, including Babies R Us.

What is the best car seat for budget- and safety-conscious parents?

Not a lot of cash available, but you want a good seat for your new baby? There are a lot of cheap seats available on the market... it's choosing the one that is the safest for your child that is important. Priced under $100, there are two recommendations for inexpensive car seats:

•  Baby Trend typically offers one of the most highly rated car seats available and has a budget friendly price tags. Available at Target, the Baby Trend is reported to be extremely easy to use with a center pull harness adjuster for daily adjustments and the easy to adjust head rest that moves the harness as baby grows.

• Graco car seats are the most recommended infant car seat that is also affordable. The Graco Snugride is one of the most popular infant car seats, coming in several patterns. It is also highly rated with crash test results and is compatible with almost every vehicle. Whether purchased in a travel system or alone, the Graco Snugride also fits nicely with most strollers. Making adjustments to the harness or the lower end Graco Snugride will be a little more difficult as it adjusts in the rear of the seat, it is still a one of the safest infant car seats you can purchase on a budget.

Is there an infant car seat that lasts a little longer?

One of the safest infant car seats allowing for extended use is from Graco. Graco makes the car seat with an extended height/weight limit of 32" and 30 pounds, which should extend the life of the seat until baby's first birthday. Although you probably won't be able to carry the seat after baby is 6 months old, it will take several more months until you will need to replace it.

What is the best convertible car seat?

Some parents purchase a convertible car seat from the beginning. Though this may be an investment, and you won't be able to take the seat in-and out of the car, a convertible car seat will last baby several years (generally up to 40 pounds). Check out Britax car seats.

ADDITIONAL CAR SEAT BUYING TIPS

• Buy New. Used car seats are available all over the place from E-Bay to second hand stores. As a second-hand user, you do not know what that particular seat has been through. Although you may not see any damage, the integrity of the seat could have been compromised in an accident. Also, car seats have an expiration date. Yes this sounds odd since a baby car seat is nothing like spoiled milk, but it could be even more dangerous. The main reason for these dates is that parts can wear after many years of use, mainly the harness straps.
• Test the seat out: Pick it up carry it around - just know it will feel a little different with a 15 pound baby in it. Install it into your car and move it around. If you already have baby, set him in the car seat to see his response and how well he fits the seat.
• Place your choice of Baby Car Seat on your registry: Don't underestimate the power of people who want to buy things for you. Search out exactly which baby car seat you want, then place it on your registry. Groups of friends or co-workers may choose to get together to purchase your car seat for you.

CAR SEAT INSTALLATION TIPS

With newer technologies, car seat installation is becoming easier especially when using the LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tether Child Restraint System). Infant car seats have the added bonus of a car seat base that only has to be installed once and then the seat just snaps right in each time.

• Infant Car Seats (generally) can be installed with or without a base making it easy to use in several different vehicles.
• Parents should expect proper car seat installation to be slightly difficult. Basically you are making the car seat become a part of the vehicle. Follow the included instructions closely.
• Depending on the make of your vehicle, you may need to add a rolled up towel or swim noodles to ensure a proper recline on an infant car seat - this is OK. Even the most basic cars can have an odd tilt to the seat making a level installation difficult for any car seat.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are Child Passenger Safety Technicians just waiting to help you install your car seat to make sure your baby is safe. Usually found at a local fire department or hospital, a listing of CPS technicians can be found at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

SOURCES

Additional Resources I suggest include: Consumer Reports, NHTSA.Gov, and Carseatdata.org.

By Carrie Chance