A car seat is a definite must-have for every parent. Otherwise, it will be very hard to take a road trip or a simple trip to the grocery store with the baby with you.
If you are thinking of buying a car seat for your baby, then be alarmed that there are several factors to consider before buying one. For example, which car seats are safer than others, or what are the main features to consider before buying a car seat?
No question that buying a car seat is a huge decision and this article will help you to answer some of the most important questions related to that.
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Things to consider before buying a car seat?
Every car seat on the market today meets the basic safety standards, but this does not mean it will be easier to pick the right one for you. This is because buying a car seat relies on many other factors like your lifestyle, the budget, how you will use it, and ultimately your vehicle’s size. Below are some of the questions you might ask yourself before you buy a car seat.
For how long will be using the car seat?
When we are talking about safety, your wisest choice will be to use a rear-facing seat for as long as possible. But if your budget and space are a little tight, then you should go with the convertible seat which is for longer-term use, due to the fact that many convertibles nowadays offer prolonged rear-facing use.
How much space you have in your vehicle?
There are different car seat sizes, and if you own a smaller car, a big car seat won’t be able to fit in there. You will need to measure out space in the car before you make your decision, and don’t forget to take into consideration the other passengers. This way, you will know how big or small a car seat will fit in your car.
Will you need more than just one car seat?
If you and the other caregiver drive separate cars, you might think you will need more than one car seat. But with good coordination and a solid schedule, you can work with one car seat, which you can move from one to the other car. If you choose to do this, you will also want to buy a car seat that is easy to install and uninstall. Also, a lightweight one will go in your favor. If your first purchase is a rear-facing car seat that goes into a base, you might want to buy another base instead of investing more money in getting another car seat.
How transportable your car seat needs to be?
Most parents install the car seat in their car and leave it there as long as their child will use it. This will not be an option if you plan to use the same car seat for two or more vehicles. You will need a more portable car seat if you want to use it in more than one vehicle or you simply want to be able to carry your newborn in and out of the car in the car seat. A car seat with an ergonomically designed handle and smaller footprint is a much better option if you plan to move it in and out a lot. Usually, car seats weigh around 10 pounds, and there are also heavier ones that can weigh up to 30 pounds, without the baby in them.
How important is it for the car seat to be compatible with the stroller?
If you move a lot, you will a car seat that is easy to install and uninstall into your stroller. We have talked about how convenient is the travel system option, and down the line, you can upgrade to a convertible seat. Most of the travel systems come with a stroller and a car seat that can be easily attached to the stroller and the base in the car. This means the car seat has a one-click connection or an adapter.
Your other option is buying a stroller and a car seat that can be attached by an adapter piece. Some adapters will work for most of the stroller brands you just need to do a little research and see which one will work for your car seat and stroller combo. This will also let you use a regular stroller from the day your baby is born until he/she outgrows your car seat.
There is the snap-and-go stroller frame as an option. This is basically a set of wheels for a baby rear-facing car seat. Yes, these are smaller and cheaper, but your baby will outgrow them in a blink of an eye.
Different types of car seats?
The market offers roughly 3 types of car seats: Infant car seats, convertible car seats, and booster seats. We can see more and more of these all-in-one car seats, but ,we will not cover this topic in this article. Let’s see what each one of them offers.
Infant Car Seats
For infants and younger babies, you have infant car seats that are precisely made for them. These seats are always rear-facing in the vehicle, and you can use them from the baby’s first day on earth until he/she reaches the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. This usually happens when the baby turns one year. The infant car seats can be attached to a base or installed with a latch system’s help. However, using the infant seat together with the base is much more comfortable.
Convertible Car Seats
Convertible car seats can flip from forward-facing to rear-facing, and you can use them with kids on variable sizes. This kind of seat will start in a rear-facing position for your newborn, and you can switch it later on to forward-facing when the baby outgrows the maximum weight and height limits for the rear-facing option of this seat. You will be able to use this seat from the baby’s first day on earth till he/she gets to preschool or even later.
Compared to the infant car seat, the convertibles are bulkier and heavier. They do not use a base. Instead, they use the car’s seat belt or the LATCH system, which allows them to install directly to the vehicle. This system consists of built-in hooks and straps on the car seat and anchor hardware in the car, which will make the car seat installation a lot simpler and safer. And because these seats are much bigger than others, they cannot be attached to a stroller, and it will work hard for you if you decide to move it in and out of the car every day.
Booster Seats
Just like its name implies, these kinds of seats are designed to boost the child higher in the vehicle’s seat. This means that the child will be on the desired level to use the car’s belt. The car seat will be able to go across the lap and the shoulder. These seats are for children who are 4 and above and weigh at least 40 pounds.
These seats come in two versions: the backless and the high-back. The high-back boosters can be compared to the car seats because, just like them, they are smaller in size with a back and a bottom. You will need to thread the car’s shoulder belt so that it can correctly fit your kid. The backless booster comes just with a seat component. They will put your child in the right height so you can put the seat belt correctly on them.
How to choose the right car seat
You must be aware of how important are the child seats. These are an essential part of your car safety, they literary save lives. Car seats can reduce the risk of dying in a car accident by 71%, says the CDC. Still, buying and then installing the car seat can feel overwhelming. There are so many types and choices that will make your head spin in a matter of minutes. Try to relax and remember the most expensive ones aren’t always the best ones.
The three things you need to consider the most are:
- The baby’s age
- The baby’s height and weight
- The car seat’s safety, whether or not it is meeting the standards.
Car Seat Safety
Safety is the most important factor when you are choosing a car seat. You should do a little research on the car seat’s safety features like harness fit and impact protection and how the seat will fit in your car particularly.
Now you are wondering which car seat could be the safest?
This is the most common issue parents wonder about before they decide to buy a car seat. In the US all car seats pass the minimum standard testing. The more expensive car seats will include a few more features related to the car seat’s safety, but it all will come down to installation and fit. Therefore, your safest choice is a car seat that will fit the child correctly and also will fit your car, meaning you can install it in your car currently every time you want.
The car seat’s safety features
Below you will find the most important safety features you need to look at when you are about to shop for a car seat.
The five-point harness. This type of harness involves two waist straps, two shoulder straps, and one strap between that legs, and all of them meet in the middle buckle. What makes these harnesses better than the three-point harnesses is the fact that these ones spread the force from an accident over more areas of the child’s body. These harnesses will also hold your child in place and not let him/her wiggle into a position that is not safe.
The easy harness adjustment. If the harness is not fitting properly, then there is no use in it. That is why it is better to have one that is easily adjustable. If you have the possibility to look for the no-rethread harness, those ones will allow you to move the seat’s shoulder straps down and up, and you won’t have to reroute them manually.
The higher weight limit for rear-facing seats. It was mentioned many times before that rear-facing seats are much safer for your child compared to forward-facing car seats. It is better to choose one with a higher weight limit so that you can use it longer.
The side-impact protection. Statistics show that a third of the cars involved in a crash are hit from the side. Until this day, there are still no regulations about side impact protection, and there are still researches that work on this issue. Still, you will definitely want a car seat that will advertise the side-impact protection, bear in mind that yet no brand can offer you more than the others, as they all are working on this issue and have not figured it out to the fullest.
We would not recommend you to save money when you are buying a car seat unless you really must. If you think about buying a used one, remember that it can be damaged or today’s safety regulations are not met by it. But if you know the person who is selling you the used car seat, we can only assume that they are being honest that they are selling a good and safe car seat. It would be wise to do some research about the used car seat and see what you are buying. When it comes to cleaning it, always follow the manufacturer’s rules.
When is it time to switch to the next stage car seat?
It is being advised to wait for as much as possible before you switch from a baby to a toddler car seat. We mentioned many times above that your baby will be best protected in a rear-facing car seat. This is because, in a car crash event, the energy of the impact will be absorbed by the seat’s shell and the car seat belts.
Switching from baby seat to toddler seat
You will know that your baby has outgrown the car seat when the top of his/her head is reaching the top of the seatback. You should not make the switch before this happens. Pay attention is your baby’s head is well protected by the seat’s top. It is not an issue if the baby’s legs dangle off the edge of your car seat.
Switching from toddler seat to child seat
You should make this switch when you notice that your child’s shoulders are about 2 cm above the highest openings for the toddler seat’s straps while the headrest is set on the highest position. When you are making the switch, the headrest on the child car seat should be set at the lowest position.
Being done with the car seats
After your child has turned 12 years or is between 1.35 to 1.50 meters tall, you will legally no longer need to put him/her in a car seat. You can do some research on this and see your country’s laws regarding this issue to be sure. After you are done with the car seats, your kid will have to use your car’s seat belts every time your car is on the go. The same goes for you!
Car Seat Accessories
The car seat’s accessories are not necessary, but many parents will agree that they do make things a lot less complicated. Below you will be introduced to the most popular car seat accessories.
A second car seat base
If you and your partner plan to use the car seat in separate cars, you can buy a second car seat base; therefore, you won’t need to buy another car seat.
A car seat canopy
Every car seat comes with a canopy, but some have better than others. The canopy should provide good shade and protection from the sun. The peekaboo window is also very useful. You will be able to look at your baby at all times. The canopy should be strong enough so that your baby won’t be able to rip it apart.
A car seat cover
These covers are good for providing your child a cocooned and quiet space for sleeping, and also, they can keep the baby warm in the cold weather. The newer models will offer you to use them as nursing covers as well.
An infant insert
Most of the car seats on the market today will come with an infant insert, making the seat safer and cozier for little babies. Some brands will sell you super-luxe additional inserts. Always use inserts from the same manufacturer as your car seat because if you go with different brands, there is no guarantee about how safe it will be.
A back seat mirrors
These mirrors will help you keep an eye on your child without having to turn around to check on him/her while driving.
FAQ
What represents i-Size for car seats?
This refers to the European safety standards for child and baby car seats. The ECE R129 regulation will replace the old safety regulation, and all car seats will have to meet the tighter safety standards by the i-Size. IF you want to be able to use the i-Size car seat, your car has to have the Isofix connectors. Today not every car has the Isofix connectors. Therefore not everyone can use the i-Size seats.
Should your baby be wearing a jacket while it is in the car seat?
Strapping your baby into his snowsuit or jacket is a very bad idea. This is because there will be an extra layer between the harness and the baby, and the bulky clothing will not allow the harness straps to get tight enough. What you can do, instead of putting your baby in a jacket, is to cover the baby with a blanket after you have secured him in the car seat.
How safe is it for a baby to sleep in his car seat?
If you have properly secured the car seat, then there is no reason for your baby not to take a nap. Still, you will need to supervise your baby and don’t always rely on the car seat as the best place for your baby to sleep because there is always a risk of suffocation or strangulation. So yes, quick and supervised are ok. Just remember that the baby’s crib is his best friend for sleeping.
Is it ok to put the car seat in a shopping cart?
Many car seats have the option to lock into the shopping cart, which is dangerous even though it feels convenient. The car seat’s weight will make the shopping car heavier and more prone to tipping over. Therefore, be very careful how you place the car seat in the shopping cart.
How to choose a car seat according to the child’s age?
From birth to age 2, you should use a rear-facing seat. Bear in mind that the child’s weight must not be higher than the seat’s limited weight.
You should use the forward-facing baby safety seat from age 2 to age 4 but no heavier than 40 pounds.
From age 4 to age 8 or up to 4ft 9icnh tall, you should use the belt-positioning booster seat in the back seat of your car.
After age 8 or after the child is taller than 4ft 9icnh you can use the seat belts. If the seat belts don’t fit properly, you should continue using the booster seat. You will know which one to use by checking if the belt is on the neck or the shoulder. It must be on the shoulder!
According to CDCD, all kids younger than age 13 need to ride in the back seat. The same goes for when they are using a car seat, seat belt, or booster seat. The main reason for this is because airbags can kill or hurt the young and fragile child’s body.
It is recommended to keep babies under age 2 in the rear-facing until the child outgrows the weight and height limit dedicated by the car seat’s manufacturer. In the event of a car crash, the rear-facing car seat should be able to protect the baby’s neck. The laws on children’s car seats differentiate from state to state. And the fine is rather big if you don’t secure your kid in the correct car seat.
