Top Tips For Buying A Baby Car Seat

As a parent, one of your primary concerns should be the safety of your child, who may be unfamiliar with the environment of a moving car. Investing in a child safety seat is one of several precautions you may take to protect your kid while driving. Here are some things to keep an eye out for to ensure that your investment is beneficial and will keep your bundle of joy safe in the event of an accident.

What Are The Baby Car Seat Buying Tips ?

A safe car seat for your child should be a top priority among the many other items you'll need to purchase. From the time you bring your newborn home from the hospital until the time that he or she is old enough to sit safely in an adult seat belt, usually around the age of 10 or later, you will need to use one. Worryingly, improper installation affects roughly 46% of child restraints and boosters. If a child's safety seat is improperly placed, they are at risk in the event of an accident.

When tested at 30 miles per hour, vehicle seats must adhere to federal safety regulations. CR has been conducting seat safety tests for over 30 years, and today we mimic an accident at 35 mph to more accurately reflect modern vehicle interiors. We also check the car seat's ease of use, including how well it fits in five vehicles with varying interiors and how well it is to follow the directions and manage the buckles and straps. Therefore, the higher a seat score in our testing, the more likely it is that you will be able to properly install it and keep your child safe.

Not every expensive car seat is the best option for your child. There are a lot of great options that are reasonably priced that perform just as well as their more expensive counterparts. Unfortunately, not every car seat is compatible with every vehicle, no matter how much you'd like to spend on it. Because of this, preparation is essential. Check out our guide to find the best car seat for your kid (and vehicle) and to learn when to upgrade.

Looking for a car seat for your baby? Look no further. My Baby Nursery have a wide range for you to choose from.

Why Is Finding The Perfect Car Seat So Important?

To begin with, the hospital will not release you if your newborn's car seat is not correctly placed. What kind of car seat you can legally have and how you must use it is also subject to local, state, and federal laws. Depending on the type of seat you get, you may need to buy more as your child gets bigger and outgrows each one.

Before You Shop, Inspect Your Car.

To begin with, though: Be sure to check the car seat's installation instructions against those in the owner's handbook before making a purchase. All modern cars are equipped with a mechanism called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, and which may be used to secure a child safety seat in the back of the car. Before making a purchase, decide if you'll be using the vehicle's seat belt or the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH).

Knowing the location of the LATCH attachments in your vehicle is essential if you plan to use them; the centre back seat of the vehicle is the safest option for a child, but certain vehicles may not have them installed.

Any other advice? Find out if you have enough space for a car seat by measuring the rear of your seat. If your vehicle is on the smaller side, a standard car seat base may not fit, and you'll need to look for an alternative. Think about who will be riding shotgun as well. They were wondering if you could tell me the total number of your kids. In what number are child safety seats installed? Bring a measuring tape to the store to get the exact depth of your back seats.

What Should You Know Before Buying?

• Parents, get to know your kid: Get in the habit of recording your child's height and weight so you know when it's time to upgrade your child's car seat. It's important to remember that any underlying health or behavioural difficulties will also weigh heavily on your decision.
• Recognize your stores: It's nice that some stores will allow you to try installing a seat in your car before you buy it, as we've learned that the angle of a cushion or the location of a seat belt might render a vehicle incompatible with a kid safety seat. Additionally crucial: a shop that allows for refunds. Big box retailers like Target and Walmart stock a smaller selection of items in-store and provide a far broader assortment on their websites. There is an even wider variety of brands and models of seats available through online merchants like Amazon, Albee Baby, Buy Buy Baby, and Diapers.com. You can get a car seat shipped to your door for free from a lot of stores. Don't buy anything online until you've seen it in person. Luxury brands can be found at boutiques and speciality shops.
• Know your vehicle: Learn more about the seatbelts, LATCH, and kid safety seats in your car by reading the owner's manual.

It seems like car seat purchasing would be a breeze if only it weren't for the fact that all currently available models already comply with minimum safety criteria. Almost, anyway. Think about your financial situation, your daily routine, your future family goals, and even the size of your vehicle. The decision should be less difficult once you've thought about the following questions and provided replies.

How Long Will You Be Using It?

To maximise safety, keep the child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible. However, many modern convertibles allow for longer rear-facing use up to 40 pounds or more, so purchasing one for long-term use may be a good idea if space and cost are considerations.

How Much Room Do You Have? 

Some car seats are substantially more spacious than others, which can be an issue if you have a little car. Make sure there's adequate room for the car seat and the infant by measuring the available space (and taking other passengers into account).

Do You Require More Than One Car Seat?

It's natural to believe you'll need a car seat for each car if you and your partner both drive. However, if your schedules and arrangements are flexible enough, you might save money by purchasing only one car seat and switching it out as needed. If you choose this path, it's important to find a seat that is both lightweight and simple to install and remove. If you already have an infant car seat that attaches to a base, you could save money by purchasing a second base instead of a second seat.

How Portable Should Your Car Seat Be?

Some parents will put in a car seat and leave it there for the full two to five years that their child will need it. But if you plan to use the same seat in many vehicles, or if you want to be able to carry the baby in the car seat — or attach the car seat into a suitable stroller — you may need a more portable choice. Look for a model with an ergonomic grip and a reduced weight and smaller overall footprint if you anticipate doing a lot of transporting of your car seat: A baby seat can be as light as 10 pounds or as hefty as 20 to 30 pounds (not including the baby).

Select A Convertible Car Seat That Will Grow With Your Child

We speak from experience when we say that it will be a relief to not have to buy another car seat during those hectic first two years. There are two types of car seats available for infants: those that face the back of the vehicle (rear-facing baby seats) and those that can be rotated around to face the front of the vehicle (convertible seats). When shopping for a car seat, it's smart to invest in a convertible one that can be used from birth all the way up through the toddler years.

That's the only negative aspect, right? It is not possible to install and remove a convertible car seat as easily as an infant seat.

Check out our range of the best baby car seats for your baby.

If You Want To Save Money, Use A Car Seat Stroller.

While a convertible car seat would save you money in the long term, some parents argue that the convenience of being able to transfer a sleeping infant from one location to another while still in an infant car seat is well worth the additional expense. Buying a travel system, which includes an infant car seat and a stroller, can help you save money if you need to buy one but are otherwise set on doing so. These may be located in the stroller section rather than among the car seats.

How Important Is Stroller Compatibility?

A car seat that can be quickly attached to a stroller may be a necessity if you're constantly on the move. There's also the option of purchasing a travel set that includes both an infant and a convertible car seat. Strollers with built-in car seat attachments (through an adapter or a simple one-click connection) are known as "travel systems," and you can often save money by purchasing the two items together.

An alternative would be to get a stroller and car seat that connect with an adapter. Search for "car seat adapter" and the model of stroller you're interested in to see if there are any infant car seat adapters available for it. Newborn strollers have a bassinet or deep recline to support the newborn's neck and squishy body. With this method, you can use your standard stroller from day one and continue doing so even after your child outgrows the infant car seat.

There's also the option of a "snap-and-go" stroller frame, which is effectively just a pair of wheels for a rear-facing infant car seat. This is the more affordable and portable choice, but keep in mind that a baby will quickly outgrow it.

To Be Safe, Spring For A New Seat.

You probably want to know which car seat is the safest for your child. All car seats currently available have been evaluated in accordance with current safety standards; to ensure that your purchase meets these requirements, look for the JPMA seal of approval on the product's packaging.

The best thing you can do is to buy a new car seat and not accept a hand-me-down, as safety technology is constantly being updated.

Focus On What's Most Important.

Try to find one that has a five-point safety harness. (there are four straps total: two around the waist, two over the shoulders, and one crossing the middle of the legs.) and side-impact protection (pads of inflated foam or air at the baby's head's sides) Any convertible child seat or car seat that costs less than $200 and is LATCH-compatible is worth considering (a method of secure base attachment in the absence of seatbelts) if you're spending between $80 and $200.

More expensive car seats (those that cost more than $200) generally come with additional safety features, like an anti-rebound bar just at the seat's base to limit motion in the event of an accident. The cost goes up with luxuries like a larger canopy and a "boot" to protect the baby's feet from the elements.

Premium car seats (those costing more than $200) typically include extra safety elements, such as an anti-rebound bar at the seat's base to reduce movement in the event of a collision. Softer fabric, extras like a "boot" to put on baby's feet, and a bigger canopy all contribute to the overall cost.

Choose one that includes both text and diagrams for easy installation.

When you leave the store, your work is not done. To maximise the likelihood of a successful installation, make sure to consult both the printed instructions that came with the seat and the schematics located on the seat itself.

It is nevertheless suggested that you have a professional verify your work once you have installed the car seat, even though all manufacturers are working to simplify the installation process (videos on YouTube complement certain instruction booklets). An inspector in your area can be quickly located through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To conduct a search on NHTSA, simply input your current location.

What's the simplest approach to make sure everything are set up properly? Rather than attempting this on your own, hire a local Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician to inspect your vehicle. You can find CPS technicians at places like police and fire stations, hospitals, the local AAA, and more.

Safety First! And Foremost. 

Make sure your child's car seat is fastened properly and securely by reading and following the manual's installation instructions. Check the car seat's height and weight limits to see if it needs to be replaced or upgraded to the next stage of use. (On their child's first four birthdays, some parents set their phones to remind them to check the car seat.) And while many infants may fall asleep during vehicle rides, it's important to remember that a car seat is not a substitute for a secure testing environment, so once you get your child home, they should be moved to a bassinet or crib.

My Baby Nursery has a wide range of baby car seats to help you choose.

Conclusion

Only 54% of kid safety seats and boosters are installed correctly. We found that the more stars a car seat received, the more likely it was to be installed correctly. No matter how much money you're willing to spend, only some car seats will work with your automobile. When looking for a child safety seat, you must know your vehicle's exact make and model. Depending on the car, LATCH or seatbelt anchors and tethers may not be present.

Amazon, Albee Baby, Buy Buy Baby, and Diapers.com are some of the many websites that sell car seats. Some parents believe the added cost of a car seat specifically designed to transport a sleeping child is well worth it. You can also find packages that include an infant and a convertible car seat for your trip. Any LATCH-compatible convertible car seat or child safety seat that costs less than $200 is a good option (a method of secure base attachment in the absence of seatbelts). Extra safety features are especially vital if you're spending between $80 and $200. Find a qualified CPS technician to check your car and ensure it's safe for your kids.

Content Summary

• A safe car seat for your child should be a top priority among the many other items you'll need to purchase.
• If a child's safety seat is improperly placed, they are at risk in the event of an accident.
• When tested at 30 miles per hour, vehicle seats must adhere to federal safety regulations.
• To begin with, the hospital will only release you if your newborn's car seat is correctly placed.
• Before purchasing, decide if you'll use the vehicle's seat belt or the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH).
• Find out if you have enough space for a car seat by measuring the rear of your seat.
• Bring a measuring tape to the store to get the exact depth of your back seats.
• Know your vehicle: Learn more about the seatbelts, LATCH, and kid safety seats in your car by reading the owner's manual.
• Think about your financial situation, your daily routine, your future family goals, and even the size of your vehicle.
• To maximise safety, keep the child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible.
• Make sure there's adequate room for the car seat and the infant by measuring the available space (and taking other passengers into account).
• It's natural to believe you'll need a car seat for each car if you and your partner both drive.
• If you choose this path, it's important to find a lightweight and simple seat to install and remove.
• If you already have an infant car seat that attaches to a base, you could save money by purchasing a second base instead of a second seat.
• But if you plan to use the same seat in many vehicles, or if you want to carry the baby in the car seat — or attach the car seat to a suitable stroller — you may need a more portable choice.
• It is impossible to install and remove a convertible car seat as easily as an infant seat.
• A travel system, which includes an infant car seat and a stroller, can help you save money if you need to buy one but are otherwise set on doing so.
• There's also the option of purchasing a travel set with an infant and a convertible car seat.
• An alternative would be to get a stroller and car seat that connect with an adapter.
• All available car seats have been evaluated in accordance with current safety standards; to ensure that your purchase meets these requirements, look for the JPMA seal of approval on the product's packaging.
• The best thing you can do is to buy a new car seat and not accept a hand-me-down, as safety technology is constantly being updated.
• And side-impact protection (inflated foam or air pads at the baby's head's sides). Any convertible child seat or car seat that costs less than $200 and is LATCH-compatible is worth considering (a method of secure base attachment in the absence of seatbelts) if you're spending between $80 and $200.
• More expensive car seats (those that cost more than $200) generally come with additional safety features, like an anti-rebound bar just at the seat's base to limit motion in the event of an accident.
• The cost goes up with luxuries like a larger canopy and a "boot" to protect the baby's feet from the elements.
• Rather than attempting this on your own, hire a local Child Passenger Safety (CPS)technician to inspect your vehicle.
• Ensure your child's car seat is fastened properly and securely by reading and following the manual's installation instructions.