Every parent knows how important it is to have the right car seat to keep their child safe while they’re riding in the car. However, it can be hard to choose one that’s going to meet all of your needs, especially when you have no idea what those needs are or what to look for. This article breaks down car seat buying tips that you should know so you can make an informed decision about your choice of car seats before it arrives at your door.
Table of Contents
1. The stage at which your child is able to ride in a regular seat
The age of the child when they’re ready to sit in a booster seat The height and weight of the child when they’re ready to sit in a booster seat
These factors will give you a better idea of which seats you should go with, but all three need to be taken into consideration. If you don’t find one that meets all three criteria, then look at other seats that could serve as your next pick.
2. Types of Car Seats
There are a variety of car seats available, with one for every type of child. If you need more information on what can be purchased and what they do, then look to the Car Safety and Booster seat sections further down this article. Keep in mind however that some car seats are also compatible with other infant car safety seats, so keep an eye out for these.
3. Comparison Shopping
Luckily, you only need to compare three different types of car seats to find the one that will be the best fit for your family. Here are a few that you can compare:
(1) Infant Car Seat: An Infant Car Seat is designed specifically for infants between two and ten pounds. These don’t have any padding or thick fabric to help protect the child’s head and neck when they’re sitting in the seat. These are great for taking your infant from the hospital straight to the car if you don’t want to purchase a specific car seat for them. However, you’ll need to take them out before helping them into their stroller, which might not be ideal for some families.
2) Convertible Car Seat: A Convertible Car Seat is an infant car seat that also has a toddler feature. These are ideal because it allows you to use the same seat as your child gets older without having to replace it with a new one. You can keep your child strapped into the harness until they weigh between 25 and 80 pounds while they’re sitting in this seat. These tend to have a longer, more supportive body than an infant car seat which is good for smaller children.
3) Booster Seat: A Booster Seat has a seatbelt tether to secure it to the chair. It’s ideally used by children between four and 12 years of age. When they’re old enough to use one of these, you won’t need to restrain them in the seat with any straps or harnesses. This will allow them to sit more comfortably and be able to buckle themselves into their seat just like an adult would when driving the car. Booster seats usually have a removable back so it can fit on any chair, as well.
It’s going to take a little trial and error to find the right seat for your family but with these car seat buying tips you can make an informed decision, so the process won’t be difficult.
