Car Seats

Buying a car seat for your child can be tricky as it seems like the "dos and donts" about car seats are constantly changing. So this article has some helpful advice for those of you who have perhaps gotten a little confused or frustrated over the whole car seat topic.

There are two basic styles of car seats for an infant who weighs less than 20 pounds and is under a year old: infant car seats and infant toddler car seats. Babies under 20 pounds are better off in the smaller infant car seat rather than the convertible car seat. They are shaped to securely hold newborns and offer good support in all the right places. Some infant car seats can handle infants weighing up to 22 pounds. They are also more convenient for you. The infant car seat (which is more lightweight than the convertible car seat) can also be used as an infant carrier, feeding chair, or even a rocker. This means you can take your child from one destination to another without necessarily having to wake them up. With an infant-toddler car seat, you have to unbuckle your baby and transfer him to a stroller or other carrier, which can be a really big pain (especially if you're in a hurry).

There are several things you should look for when buying a car seat for your baby:

1. Easy Installation.

You want to be sure you pick out a car seat that is easily installed. If you don't install the seat correctly, your baby may not be properly restrained. You should also look for a base that you can permanently install in your car. Then all you need to do is settle the seat securely into the base, buckle up your baby, and go.

2. Adequate Restraints.

Look for an infant car seat with a five-point safety harness. There should be one strap for each shoulder, one for each thigh, and one between your baby's legs. These are more adjustable (which means safer) for an infant than plastic shields or T-bar restraints.

3. Belt Adjustments.

Try to avoid car seats that require you to adjust the buckle from the back of the car seat. The better car seats allow you to make any adjustments from the front and have raised belt slots for buckling ease. Some even adjust automatically.

4. Tethers.

As of September 2002, all new child safety seats and vehicles must be compatible with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. This system was created to make installation of a car seat easier and safer by attaching it directly to the vehicle instead of using the seat belt to secure the car seat. Rear-facing infant car seats will be required to have lower anchors only. Convertible car seats (which can face the front or the rear) and front-facing toddler seats will be required to have both the upper and lower attachments.

5. Washability.

Be sure to pick out a car seat that comes with pad covers you can take off to wash. (Be sure they are machine washable, as well.)

6. Comfort.

And, of course, pick a seat that will be comfortable for your baby. He will have a better ride if you buy a well-padded seat with plenty of head support.

If you like the car seat shown just below, go ahead and click on it. That will take you directly to the page to order that seat or look at others. MiniTots has many, many car seats for you to choose from for infants and toddlers. And right now, get 5% off any purchase! Use coupon code 5CJ (not valid for Bratt Decor products). Dreamtime Baby also has many reliable car seats to choose from. And right now, you get a Free Gift With Orders Over $99. Click here because this is for a Limited Time! Amazon also has many car seats to choose from that are not only reliable but also affordable. Getting the best for your baby shouldn't always have to cost you an arm and a leg.

So if you're looking for a car seat for your little one, you've come to the right place. You're bound to find at least one (if not several) car seats that are exactly what you're looking for. Safe, affordable, reliable, and even cute!

Top rated for safety and ease of use by leading consumer magazines, it's no wonder that the SnugRide is America's favorite infant car seat. Equipped with a 5-point harness, an ergonomic carrying handle, a stay-in-car base, a canopy, and an infant head rest for added comfort and support, this SnugRide infant car seat will serve you and your baby well until he or she reaches 22 lbs and is ready to move up to a Graco convertible car seat. Plus, harness straps that adjust at the front of the SnugRide infant car seat make getting your baby in and out of the SnugRide infant car seat even easier.