Baby Car Seats

In today's post I want to give information on Car Seats and where a new parent can find even more information on this important topic.

Which car safety seat is the best?

This is a question that you will probably ask when you consider buying your first car seat. There really is no correct answer to this question, it depends on a lot of different factors. Such as;

• How much does your child weigh and how tall is she?
• Is the seat installed correctly (even a good seat can be used incorrectly)?
• Do you use it ever time you drive?
• Do you use and need all the seats features?
• Does the seat and work well with your car?

Types of Car Seats

• Rear-facing seats - Rear-facing seats are for infants. Infants should ride in rear-facing seats until they have reached at least the age of 1 year and weigh at least 20 pounds. That means that even if your baby weighs more than 20 pounds prior to his first birthday, you should still use a rear-facing seat until he meets both requirements. There are 2 types of rear-facing seats: infant-only seats and convertible seats (more on that later).
  


• Following are some important features of both:


• Infant-only seats
• all and portable (sometimes come as part of a stroller system).
• Have a 3-point or 5-point harness.
• Can only be used for infants up to 20 to 22 pounds, depending on the model.
• Many come with a detachable base, which can be left in the car. The seat clicks in and out of the base, which means you don't have to install it each time you use it.
• Most have carrying handles.
  
  
• Convertible seats - Bigger than infant-only seats. Can also be used forward-facing for older and larger children, therefore these seats can be used longer. Many have higher rear-facing weight limits than infant only seats. These are ideal for bigger babies.


• Have the following types of harnesses:
• 5-point harness - 5 straps: 2 at the shoulders, 2 at the hips, 1 at the crotch
• T-shield - A padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield attached to the shoulder straps
• Overhead shield - A padded tray-like shield that swings down around the child

Other features to look for in rear-facing seats

• Harness slots. Look for seats that come with more than one set of harness slots to give your growing baby more room. The harness should be in the slots at or below your baby's shoulders. Check the manufacturer's instructions to be sure.
• Adjustable buckles and shields. Many rear-facing seats have 2 or more buckle positions for growing babies. Many overhead shields can be adjusted as well.
• Other features. Angle indicators, built-in angle adjusters that help you get the proper recline, and head support systems are other features that are made to help you install the seat the right way.

Forward-facing seats

Once your child is at least 1 year of age and is at least 20 pounds, she can ride forward-facing. However, it is best for him to ride rear-facing until he reaches the highest weight Forward-facing seat and height limits allowed by the car safety seat. There are many types of seats that can be used forward-facing, including convertible seats, forward-facing only seats, and combination forward-facing/booster seats.

As mentioned, convertible seats can be used forward-facing. However, if you have used your convertible seat rear-facing, you need to make 3 adjustments before using it forward-facing.

1. Move the shoulder straps to the slots that are at or above your child's shoulders. On many convertible seats, the top harness slots must be used when the seat is in the forward-facing position. Check the instructions to be sure.


2. Move the seat from the reclined to the upright position if required by the manufacturer of the seat.


3. Make sure the seat belt runs through the forward- facing belt path.

Built-in forward-facing or booster seats are available in some cars and vans. Weight and height limits vary. Check with your vehicle manufacturer for details about how these seats are used.

Booster seats

Your child should stay in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible and then ride in a belt-positioning booster seat. You can tell when your child is ready for a booster seat when one of the following is true:

• She reaches the top weight or height allowed for her seat.


• Her shoulders are above the harness slots.


• Her ears have reached the top of the seat.

Booster seats are designed to raise your child so that the lap/shoulder belt fits properly. This means the lap belt lies low across your child's 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. Both high-backed and backless models are available. Booster seats should be used until your child can correctly fit in a lap/shoulder seat belt (see "Seat belts" below).

Some car safety seats combine the features of a forward-facing seat and a booster. These seats come with harness straps for children who weigh up to 40 to 50 pounds (depending on the model). Once your child reaches the weight and height limits, you can use the seat as a booster by removing the harnesses and using your vehicle's lap/shoulder belts. Keep in mind that when using the harness straps, the seat can be secured with a lap/ shoulder belt or a lap-only belt. However, once you remove the harness, you must use a lap/shoulder belt.

A few online merchants where you can get more info on Car Seats;

Dreamtimebaby.com

babystyle's bestselling gear

thebabyoutlet.com