The Canadian Family

When purchasing a baby car seat, some features are absolutely essential. Keeping your baby safe should be every parent’s highest priority, and a good car seat will do just that. Unfortunately, searching for the right car seat can be overwhelming as there are hundreds of models, features and brands to sort through. If you don’t know what to look for, the process can be time-consuming and draining. Concentrating on a few essential features will help you sort through your choices and find the car seat that’s right for your family.

The single most important feature of any car seat is the 5-point attach. Most car seats feature one of two kinds of attachments: the 3-point harness and the 5-point harness. A 3-point harness is probably okay, but the 5-point harness will do much more to keep your baby safe and secure in the car seat. With more attachments, the 5-point harness further restrains the child in case of ejection.

While everyone knows the basic rule that a small child has to be restrained in a car seat, not everyone understands the other features and safety recommendations for child safety seats. In the most basic terms, there are four kinds of seat positions: front-facing, rear-facing, combination and booster seats.

Even older children are candidates for child safety seats, including children who weigh around 60 pounds. A nine-year-old, for example, might be a candidate for a car safety seat made for an older, larger child. In general, a standard car seat will accommodate a child that weighs 20-25 pounds. If your child is about 10 pounds heavier, you’ll probably need to purchase a car seat that is geared for larger children.

Most experts agree that the safest type of car safety seat is the rear-facing seat. It’s a good idea to select a car seat with a higher weight limit so that it will last longer as your son or daughter grows. You can also purchase a car safety seat that is “booster only” if your child is closer to 40 pounds. Whatever your child’s size, it’s vital to properly install any kind of child safety seat.

What should you look for? First, be sure the shoulder belt is not fitting over the child’s neck. Instead, it should hit across the shoulders and chest. The lap belt goes around the hips. For cars with low seats or headrests, it’s important to purchase a high-back model of child safety seat. You can also find car seats with additional padding and adjustable head supports.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for safety tests on child car seats. They rate all car seats on a series of tests and safety features, including how easy it is to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Thankfully, car seat makers are continually updating their products based on suggestions and ratings from the government. NHTSA’s web site provides complete information about safety testing and car seat guidelines.

If you want to find a model that got straight A’s, you can definitely find the one that’s right for you. eBay and Froogle are two good sources of information to start your search. When you find the car seat that fits your needs, make sure it received an acceptable safety rating from the NHTSA.