Types of Car Seats
Rear Facing Infant Seat
A rear facing
car seat is the best option for your infant, depending on the model, up to 22
to 40 pounds to use. The type of car seat is designed specifically for newborns
to small infants. In a crash, the seat cradles and moves with your infant, in
order to reduce stress to the baby's neck and spinal cord. Babies tend to
outgrow an infant car seat by nine months; it is then recommend to purchase an
all-in-one car seat and use it rear facing.
All-in-One
Convertible Seat
Many convertible seats have a higher rear-facing weight limit (40-50
pounds), which makes them ideal for larger babies. This option for a car seat has
the ability to change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat, as your
child grows. It not only provides you with the most for your money, because it
can be used with children of various sizes, it also allows your child to stay
rear-facing for longer.
Forward Facing Seat
Once a
children has exceed the height or weight limit for rear-faced seating, using a
forward facing car seat with a harness is advised, until they reach the highest
weight or height allowed by the manufacturer.
Booster Seat
Older
children who have outgrown a forward-facing car seat are to move into a
belt-positioning booster seat. A booster seat should be used until the
manufacturers suggest height, typically around 4 feet 9 inches or between 8-10
years of age.
Installation is Key
Properly installing a car seat can
be more challenging than it sounds. Common mistakes include; installing the
seat too loose, threading seat belts through the wrong slots, failing to use
the locking clip or leaving a child
unbuckled. All car seats and vehicles made
after 2002 are manufactured to be compatible with the LATCH system. The LATCH
system, which stand for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, was designed in
order to make car seat installation safer and easier. A car seat should be able
to directly hook on to the permanently attached anchors on the vehicle, rather
than using a seat belt to secure the seat. Always check the movement ability of
the car seat, it should not be able to tip forward or sideways more than an
inch or so.
unbuckled. All car seats and vehicles made
after 2002 are manufactured to be compatible with the LATCH system. The LATCH
system, which stand for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, was designed in
order to make car seat installation safer and easier. A car seat should be able
to directly hook on to the permanently attached anchors on the vehicle, rather
than using a seat belt to secure the seat. Always check the movement ability of
the car seat, it should not be able to tip forward or sideways more than an
inch or so. A proper-installed car seat is
crucial for the safety of your child. Many parents have a difficult time
installed their car seats properly; manufacturers and experts recommend new
parents to sign up for a car seat installation workshop. If you are interested
in investing a small amount of time for the safety of your child, the NHTSA has
inspection stations with technicians who can inspect your car seat and teach
your about installation. You can find a list of child safety seat inspection
stations on NHTSA's website.
