Car Seats Buying Tips - ConsumerGuru

What to Look for When Buying Car Seats

GURU says this about buying a Car Seat!
There are lots of options when it comes to purchasing a car seat and the choices can be overwhelming. There are three basic categories when it comes to selecting a car seat: Infant, Convertible, and Booster. Based on a child’s weight, age and sometimes height, the appropriate selection can be easily made.

There is a wide range of prices in every car seat category varying from a basic model to a premium model with better fabrics, padding, steel-reinforced frames, armrests, and even cup holders.

Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats are designed to be rear facing only for up to 1 year old and 20-30lbs. The weight limit depends on the particular model selected but typically infant car seats are used for a year. Their appeal is that they are designed specifically for infants offering a secure fit with the proper back, head and neck support. Padding and head support also vary greatly within price ranges. They also serve as an infant carrier with a carrying handle and typically come with a “stay-in-car” base so the seat just needs to be snapped into the base. The infant car seat also usually fits into a stroller which makes up a travel system. The greatest advantage of the infant car seat besides the safety it offers is portability using the carrier itself or compatible stroller.

In purchasing an infant car seat, a 5-point harness with front harness adjustment offers the most safety and convenience. A five point harness secures at both shoulders, both thighs, and between the legs. Most seats offers slots for adjusting the shoulder straps as the baby grows and again there are options for how easily these adjustments can be made based on the model. Energy absorbing foam for side impact protection is another feature to look for. A comfortable carrying handle and usable canopy (preferably retractable with good coverage) are also useful features. Washable fabrics and a cover that is removable are nice features to look for and are not always standard.

As of September 2002, all infant car seats must be LATCH equipped which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This means that the car seat base on an infant carrier may be attached via the bottom hooks to the lower anchors found where the seat back and cushion intersect. This makes installation simple and secure. Note that all cars manufactured after September 2002 are LATCH equipped.

Convertible Car Seats
Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant car seat. They are called convertible since they can be used either rear facing or front facing depending upon a particular model’s weight limits. Typically they are rear facing up to one year and 20 lbs. and front facing from 20-40 lbs. There are some models that are front facing up to 80lbs. or convert to a booster seat. Convertible car seats are not ideal for an infant since they do not offer the snug fit that an infant seat is designed for although some convertibles come with removable infant inserts.

Convertible car seats are designed to grow with a child and usually are used from ages 1-4 years. They can vary greatly in price based on design, construction, fabric, arm rests and cup holders. The five point harness is again recommended at this stage since it is the safest restraint system. Convertible seats have varying height adjustments for the shoulder straps so the seat can grow with the child. There are also some models that offer width adjustments to the seat.

Convertible car seats are also LATCH equipped as of September 2002 making installation with the bottom car anchors and top tether simple and secure.

Booster Car Seats
Booster car seats are designed for children 40lbs and up. They are used with the lap and shoulder belt. The seat is for “boosting” the child into the correct position so the seat belt system is correctly positioned. If the seat belt system is not positioned correctly, it can actually harm a child in an accident. It is smart to determine first if a child is actually ready for a booster seat.

There are two options when it comes to booster seats, high back and backless. High back booster seats offer head support while a backless booster is appropriate if the vehicle offers head support for the child. High back boosters can come with varying height adjustments for head support. Some high back booster models can also be converted to backless boosters which is a convenient option for travel.

Booster seats come in a wide range of prices with some offering aluminum frames, ergonomic seats, seat adjustments, cup holders, arm rests, lights, padded wings for support and side impact protection, and clip guides for correct belt positioning. Booster seats are not required to be LATCH compatible although there are some LATCH compliant models available. The National Highway and Safety Administration (NHSTA) recommends that a child rides in a booster until 8 years of age and 4 feet 9 inches tall.