Choosing a car seat is a difficult task. And there is more to picking a car seat than selecting the cutest fabric. A seat given to you as a gift may not be the best for you or your baby. Child passenger safety experts encourage you to avoid buying car seats from second hand stores or garage sales. Although they may be cheaper or even free, used seats usually have hidden safety issues and will not properly protect your child in a crash.

There is not a brand or style of car seat that is safest for your baby. All car seats on the market meet the same federal crash test requirements. The best seat is the one that fits your baby, fits your vehicle And one that you will use correctly every time your baby travels.

New babies should ride in a rear-facing infant only seat. As a convenience and to prevent misuse, many parents choose an infant seat that has a detachable base. The base attaches to the car and the infant car seat easily attaches to the base. This allows you to carry the baby in and out of the car without installing the car seat or base each time. The base stays in the car and the carrier is mobile.

There are several options that may make using a car seat easier. For example, a car seat with a front pull harness adjuster may be easier for you to use than one with a rear harness adjuster. Car seats with a 5 point harness fit small babies much better than a 3 point harness. The 5 point harness also provides more protection in a crash than a 3 point harness. Parents are encouraged to visit their local retailer to get hands on experience with car seats. Play with them and see which one you like and which one is easiest to use. Then you can decide which one works best for you and your baby.

Forward-facing vs. Rear-facing Seats

Children should ride rear facing as long as possible. Once your child outgrows the infant car seat, you will need to upgrade to a convertible car seat. That is one that can be rear facing or forward facing. Children will ride rear facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the rear facing convertible seat. This means your child could be almost 2 years old and still ride rear facing. Read the labels on the car seat or the manufacturers instruction for the maximum weight and height limit of your car seat.

If you child has outgrown the rear facing weight or height limits on the convertible seat then it is time to turn around forward facing. It is a good idea to contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to help you with this. Before you turn your child around forward facing you should read the manufacturer’s instructions for your car seat.