How to Choose an Infant Car Seat?
- With the LATCH system for infant car seats introduced by the Federal Government now most seats are easy to put in. In response to the shocking fact that 80% of the infant car seats are installed incorrectly, the National Highway and Transportation and Safety Board introduced the LATCH system that has eased the installation process for an infant car seat to great extent. LATCH technology is required in all new cars manufactured after September 2002. Ensure your car is also equipped.
- Research is the key. There are many categories of car seats and you will often find that they overlap each other in terms of scope of use. However, the basic decision that you will need to make is whether you want an infant car seat or a infant/toddler combo. An infant/toddler combo is installed rear facing for an infant and when the infant grows up to a toddler ( 20 lbs – approx 1 yr old) it is turned around.
- Thanks to the internet you can now share your views and also get to know the views of other users for your infant car seat. Log on to the various consumer reviews sites and find out what other parents are saying about the infant car seat that you are planning to buy. Focus on their suggestions in regards to three main points – safe, easy to install, comfortable. Niche websites about babies and baby products are likely to provide better reviews.
- Before you buy your infant car seat ensure that it has passed the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards test.
It is advisable to get your infant car seat even before your baby is born. An infant car seat is typically designed to hold babies up to 20 lbs and is installed rear facing to provide nice support to the baby’s neck and shoulders. I have seen infant car seats from Graco easily snap to a car mounted base that makes easy liftoff for sleeping babies.
Once your kid is 1 year old it is time to move him to a seat designed for passengers up to 40 lbs. These are forward facing seats with harnesses that ensure the child’s safety and comfort. If you are buying one like this, ensure that the car seat is easy to install and your child cannot unfasten it. These seats would cost around $100 for any standard make like Graco or Evenflo.
For kids over 1 year you can use a booster seat. Many states make it a legal requirement to be used for children up to 60 lbs.
I hope this helps you to choose your infant car seat and I will be writing more about how to install infant car seat very soon.
Labels: car, Graco, infant car seat, Install, latch, safety
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