Protecting Your Child with the Right Car Seat

Getting the right kind of car seat is definitely a big deal in most countries. In the U.S, there are strict laws implemented to make sure that infants will be safe as possible whenever they are traveling in cars. Since there are so many types and brands of car seats available in the market, it can be quite confusing to choose which one to get for your child. Generally, the type of car seat that you will choose will depend on the height and weight of your baby, the type of vehicle you are driving and the budget that you have.

Of course, the best infant car seat is the one the can provide total safety for your child. Here are some safety points to consider:

• The harness
The standard one used in majority of car seats today is the five-point harness, which is equipped with straps that cross over the shoulders and hips of your child. This provides better protection than the three-point harness, especially for side-impact crashes. Also, you need to check the adjustment of the harness on the car seat, since you will be tightening and loosening the straps regularly. There are some car seats that do not provide smooth and easy adjustment once installed in the car. :

• Weight and height limits
Your baby must fit perfectly into the car seat for safety and comfort reasons. Incredibly, there are still some parents who ignore the height and weight limits when buying car seats. Car seats that are too small or unable to contain your baby’s weight will make your little one vulnerable to crash injuries, particularly to the head. Rear-facing car seats can be used for babies that are 30 lbs or less. If your baby is already exceeding this weight, then consider getting a front-facing seat, which can accommodate bigger children better.

• Anti-rebound features
Anti-rebound features are not really a requirement for car seat safety, but you may want to consider it as an additional plus when shopping around for a car seat. These features lessen the chances of the baby’s seat from popping up and hitting the seatback of the vehicle in case of severe crashes.

Most parents are torn between choosing an infant-only car seat and a convertible car seat. Some consider infant-only car seats as the logical choice for newborns because it provides perfect fit for smaller babies. These car seats can carry babies weighing 22 lbs or less, although the newer models in the market can accommodate up to 30 lbs of baby weight.

For more practical parents however, the convertible car seat is the economical choice. It can be used as a rear-facing seat when the baby is still small, and it can be converted to a front-facing seat when the baby becomes bigger. Most convertible car seats are manufactured to fit newborns with an average or large size. Some parents may find the seats a little bit big for babies who are on the smaller side. Buying a convertible car seat can be more practical than buying two car seats in a single year. Whatever type of car seat you choose, make sure to check the labels that are usually located on the side of the seat. These will tell you the height and weight that the seat can accommodate, as well as installation guides.

To avoid committing the common mistakes in using infant car seats, take note of the following:

• Do not throw away the instructions that comes with the baby seat package There are some parents who think that it is bothersome to trouble themselves with the manuals or instructions. This is a bad practice because all car seat brands are made differently. What works for one brand may not work for the other one. Even if you already have experience with installing baby car seats, you should still make a point of consulting the instructions. There are specific instructions on harness adjustment and placing the seat on the car that you will find very useful. In case you lose the instruction book, contact the manufacturer and ask for a new copy. Most of them will give you the book for free. Or you can visit the manufacturer’s website and check if they have an online and downloadable version of the manual.

• Do not take car seat advice from just anybody
Although they usually mean well, some friends and relatives can give you advice on using car seats which are not entirely correct. Some speak from personal experience, but keep in mind that they may have used a different car seat or that their knowledge is already outdated. If someone gives suggestions on using the car seat, make sure to check with the instruction book first before even considering it. Or to be sure, find out if your manufacturer provides a customer service hotline which can give you more reliable instructions.

• Do not soak the entire car seat into the washer
Keep in mind that infant car seats are made with special materials designed for durability and safety. These materials can be damaged if they are soaked entirely in the washer or subjected through very hot ironing. These materials should be taken care of as well as possible to prolong the life of your car seat and maintain its overall quality. The instruction book will tell you the proper cleaning methods for the car seat.

• Do not buy a car seat based on its appearance alone
Car seats today definitely look better than those in the old days. Aside from basic safety features, manufacturers are outfitting their infant car seats with the prettiest fabrics and designs available. While it is understandable that you want a hip-looking car seat for your little one, make sure not to buy one just because it looks great. The safety features are the most important things to consider when shopping for car seats and these should take precedence over aesthetics.

Some parents with budget restrictions opt to purchase used car seats instead of getting brand-new ones. Although a brand-new seat is better than a used one, it may be necessary to settle for the latter is budget is really a problem. In that case, buy only from people that you trust. They should provide you all the details of the car seat, including the crash history. Make sure that the car seat does not contain hidden damages which can put your little one at risk in case of accidents. Also, make sure that the car seat was not altered in any way and that the instruction book is still available.