subject: Tips for Choosing The Perfect Infant Car Seat [print this page] Tips for Choosing The Perfect Infant Car Seat
Choosing the perfect infant car seat is no easy task. You want to be sure that your little on is safe and secure as well as comfortable and content. The perfect car seat is also the car seat that fits your budget and is easy to use. I had purchased a car seat that was so difficult to buckle and unbuckle that it eventually got permanently put in the garage and I had to purchase a different one. Needless to say, I should have bought the more expensive car seat that I originally had my eye on. The call of the "sale item" talked me into itnow I know why it was on sale and no returns!
Here are a few basic ideas to keep in mind when looking to purchase a car seat:
Safety comes first, always! In the U.S. and Canada all car seats must pass federal crash tests. Having said that some car seats come with more "bells and whistles" than others. More expensive car seats come with extra features that make them easier to install correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-twisting straps. The less expensive models with no extra features, has passed the basic crash tests and is safe for your baby when installed properly. So keep in mind your budget, more is not necessarily less safety.
Always use your baby's age, height and weight as an indicator of which car seat to purchase. Rear facing car seats are used till the baby reaches around 20 lbs. Convertible cars seat are just that. They convert from rear facing to front facing when the baby is around 1 year and weighs at least 20 lbs. These car seats stay forward facing until the child has reached the specified on the car seat. As for height, baby's head should be one inch or more below the top of the car seat when rear-facing. For front-facing seats, the tops of baby's ears should be below the seat top.
With so many seat styles in different cars it is very important to purchase a car seat that will fit you car, not all car seats fit every car. It is essential to find a car seat that can be installed tightly, with the proper angle and less than an inch of side-to-side wiggle. As for installation, that is entirely up to you. I consider myself quite handy and decided to install the car seat myself. I actually thought I did a great job and the car seat was snug and secure. I took it to the local police station as they were holding a car seat clinic and wouldnt you know itthe car seat was not as secure as I thought and I ended up taking it to the local baby store to have it reinstalled by a professional. So, the choice is yours but don't forget to have the car seat checked by a reputable clinic.
Car seat recalls happen and it is very important to be notified when they do. If you have borrowed or purchased a used car seat, checking for recalls is even more important. If you also send in the registration card for a new car seat, you will be quickly notified if your baby's car seat is ever affected by a recall.
The best way to keep baby safe in the car is to use a car seat with the most crash protection for as long as it fits your baby. You don't have to turn baby forward-facing right at one year and 20 pounds. Many seats today offer higher rear-facing weight limits, and this is a good option to choose if possible. Also look for higher forward-facing weight limits on 5-point harness seats, and keep your toddler in a booster seat as long as possible after he or she outgrows a regular car seat.
