Car Seat Facts
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should ride in a car seat that is installed in the rear-facing position to the maximum weight and height allowed for that car seat.
- Babies born pre-maturely must ride in this position for a minimum of one year past what would have been their date of their birth had they been full term.
- Position your child in the center-rear seat of your car if the car seat can be securely fastened there.
- Your pediatrician will always have the latest safety information regarding car seats.
- If after you purchase your car seat you have any doubts that it is positioned properly consider getting a car-seat inspection -- it's free! To search for an inspection site near you go to: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/ Don't forget to adjust your car seat as your child grows.
- Buy the best car seat your budget will allow- it acts as your child's body guard while on the road and can save his or her life in the event of an accident.
- Depending on the type and model car seat you purchase you may have to buy additional car seats to meet the safety standards for your child's age and weight as they grow.
- In the event of an auto accident the car seat would absorb impact and could be damaged so it may have to be replaced to ensure maximum safety. In the event that the EPS is damaged when it has absorbed chock or for any other reason, contact the manufacturer to see if it can be replaced.
- Many manufacturers have included extra features for baby's comfort or parent's convenience such as cup-holders, soft toys, buntings or boots that keep baby warm, belly and shoulder pads for protection and comfort and graduated inserts for excellent fit and comfort from newborn to toddler. Use only products, cushions and toys that came with your car seat or that are made by the car seat manufacturer.
- In the event that there is a car seat recall and you want to check your model just visit: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/
Reference
| | Infant Only | Convertible | Booster |
|---|
| Age | Newborn to 1 year | Newborn and up | Toddler 3 and up |
|---|
| Weight | Up to 20 pounds | Up to 80 pounds | 40 to 80 pounds |
|---|
| Orientation | Rear Facing only | Rear & Forward Facing | Forward Facing only |
|---|
Weight is approximate - always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and your pediatrician's advice.DEFINITIONS- Five-Point Harness:Both 3 and 5 point harnesses are used on car seats but the five point harness is the safest choice. The straps secure a child at the shoulders and the hips which restrains the strongest sections of the body.
- The LATCH System:The LATCH system is specially designed to connect your car seat to built-in metal anchors in the back seat. The term LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. When a car seat does not have a LATCH system the seat belt is used as an anchor.
- Tether:The tether is an extra snap on piece that connects the car seat to the back seat behind the cars back seat headrest for additional security. Most forward-facing and some rear-facing car seats include a snap on tether.
- EPS:Energy Absorbing Foam used in car seats to absorb the impact of a crash and protect baby. Manufacturers have performed extensive testing to determine the major points of impact in a crash and those are the places to which the most EPS support is added. The objective of the car seat is that the EPS would take the full impact in the even of a crash and protect the baby, if this were to happen the EPS could be broken crushed.
Infant
An infant car seat is the first seat a child will ever ride in. Infant car seats can accommodate a child from 5-22 lbs. and up to 29 in. in height. An infant should never be placed into an infant car seat when above 22 lbs. or 29 in. Infant car seats are car seats which feature a canopy which is adjustable or has the ability to rotate. A canopy will protect the car seat from the elements. Another needed element of a great infant car seat is the LATCH system. Most car seats feature LATCH, but you should always double check. LATCH makes installation more secure as the car seat will attach to anchor points which are installed all cars manufactured after 2001. Infant car seats are much more secure when it comes the LATCH system. Another outstanding element found on some models of infant car seat and other car seats too is the EPS foam. EPS foam makes the car seat safer during an impact. One of the infant car seats which features EPS is the Graco SnugRide. The snugride is the perfect infant car seat as it encompasses all of the elements needed in a nice car seat. Other top models of infant car seats include the Britax Companion, Chicco Keyfit and Evenflo Discovery.
Convertible
Convertible car seats are the next step in car seats after infant. A convertible car seat is one step away from a child using a booster car seat. Most models of convertible car seats can handle a child anywhere from 5-65 lbs. An infant version of car seat usually handles 4-22 lbs. It is not always recommended to put a child in a convertible car seat until he is near 20-22 lbs. Some convertible car seats like the Safety 1st Intera can handle a child right from infant to 100 lbs. The main feature of a convertible car seat which is different than other models of car seat is that it features an adjustable harness to accommodate a growing child. Convertible car seats generally feature padding in the side of the car seat for side impact protection and they are generally LATCH equipped. Some of the top models of convertible car seat include the Britax Boulevard, Evenflo Triumph Deluxe and the Recaro Young Sport. Our convertible car seats have a large amount of accessories to go along.
Booster
The last stop before the car's seat belt, a booster car seat is the final car seat the child will ever need. A booster car seat is different than its predecessors, the infant and convertible car seat. A booster seat can accept a child generally up to 80 lbs. and in some cases up to 100 lbs. Many states are passing legislation making it mandatory for a child to stay in a car booster seat till 8 years or 100 lbs. The car seat market is growing quickly and the booster seat is one of its fastest growing items. Many models of car booster seat are convertible and offer the option of removing the back of the car seat when the child hits 40 lbs. An example is the Britax Monarch. Since many convertible car seats can accommodate a child to 65 lbs., many parents prefer a booster seat which is backless. A car booster seat which is backless is extremely light and easy to move from car to car. One of the top versions of booster car seat which is backless is the Evenflo Fit Right. Other top booster car seats include the Britax Regent and the Graco TurboBooster.
