Choosing the right car seat for children can be quite hair raising sometimes. With so many brands available, it would appear obvious that you need to equip yourself with some knowledge before buying. Of course, pricing also has to be considered. So which car seat should you buy and which one is right for your child?
No matter which brand you decide on, remember that safety comes first. Selecting the right one for your child depends on your child's age, weight and size. A rule of thumb is, your child must fit properly in the car seat and the car seat must also fit properly in your car.
Always read the instructions handbook that comes along with the packaging and ensure that the product is properly installed according to the manufacturer's specifications. Such precautionary measures will help to reduce the risk of your child being hurt in the event of an accident.
Newborns and infants require rear-facing car seats. The infant seats will support infants up to 20 lbs. Some infant seats are convertible and can hold children up to 40 lbs. They can be fixed as rear-facing for infants and when your child grows bigger, they can be fixed as a forward facing. These convertible car seats are good for babies who are big.
When you buy a convertible car seat for your infant, make sure that the seat can be reclined. The suggested angle should be around 45 degrees. They are usually economical as they can be used for a number of years. Just remember that the seat must always be rear facing for children under the age of 1. The car seat should also be installed either on the right or left back seat of your car, for easy access to your child.
Infant car seat usually includes a base that is always securely attached to the back seat of the car. To remove it, just detach the car seat from the base and when you return, place it back into the base and it will snap into place. This allows you to transport your baby with ease.
You may also want to consider a three point or five point harness system when buying a car seat. The five point harness requires some practice to fasten but it seems to be the safest.
If you opt for a convertible car seat, it can be converted into a booster car seat later. It starts off as a rear facing car seat and when your child grows bigger, the seat can be changed to forward facing.
There are a number of manufacturers that make booster car seats for children like Graco, Safety 1st, Chicco, just to name a few. Whichever brand you decide to buy, do read the manufacturers