Sponsored by: Evenflo
Obey the Law
It's the law to have your baby in a car seat. Along with putting your baby in danger, you will face severe penalties if you don't have your baby in a car seat. Never travel without one.
Common Questions
Choosing a car seat can be a daunting task. But your baby's car seat is one of the most important purchases you will make as a parent. Not only will it keep your little one safe, but it will allow you to have a mobile lifestyle with your child! Here are a few common questions asked by parents:
Is it okay to buy a used car seat?
No. Resist the temptation to pick one up at a flea market or garage sale. Using a secondhand seat is risky, as you don't know how old it is, if it's been in an accident, whether it has all it's original parts, or whether it was designed according to the most recent federal safety standards.
How can I be sure I've correctly installed the car seat?
Statistics show that many car seats are improperly installed or misused, so it's a good idea to have your seat checked by an individual certified in car seat installation. You can have your seat checked at the local fire department free of charge.
I've heard a lot about the LATCH system on car seats lately. What exactly is it?
LATCH -- which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children -- is a universal attachment system required on all new carseats and vehicles sold in the US since September 2002. With LATCH, installing car seats no longer requires the use of your vehicle's safety belts.
Picking the Right Seat
Before you shop for a car seat, you need to consider the different types available to determine which is appropriate for your child. Here is an outline of the most popular types of carseats:
Infant Carseat
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Designed for infants from five to 22 pounds
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Always used rear-facing in the car
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Convenient for parents: infant seats can be used as carriers or rockers and are often compatible with stroller systems
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Comfortable for Baby: infant seats are lightweight so you can transport your baby without disturbing her sleep, and many offer a separate base which allows you to snap the seat in and out of the car with ease
Travel Systems
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Designed for infants from five to 22 pounds
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Combines the infant car seat with a stroller
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Most include an auto base for the car seat, so that parents can easily move the baby from the car to the stroller and back again
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Convenient for parents: parents can take the baby with them wherever they go
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Comfortable for Baby: the baby is never disturbed
Convertible Car Seat
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Required for children over 20 pounds
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Can be used rear-facing for infants from five to 30 pounds, then converted to a forward-facing position for use with toddlers 20 to 40 pounds (and who are at least one year old)
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Accomodates both infants and toddlers with a single purchase
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Unlike infant seats, convertible car seats cannot be used as carriers or rockers
Booster Seat
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Required for children who are 40 pounds and over
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Designed to use your car's safety belts
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Adjustable to provide better fit and comfort, which encourages your child to wear the seat belt properly
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