A car seat or a booster seat is a godsend and can make traveling in the car with your baby a lot easier. As a new parent, you will definitely want to invest in one as it isn’t just convenient but also doubles as a safety gadget.
By law, a baby isn’t allowed to be hurled around in the car and has to be buckled safely into a car seat. With so many different options available on the market, making the final choice can be a bit confusing.
We have prepared this short guide that will help you to shortlist and choose a booster seat for your child, based on the top requirements that people look for.
How to Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Child?
It goes without saying that a car seat needs to be in accordance with the weight and the physique of the baby. A toddler can’t fit into an infant’s booster seat, and therefore you must weigh up your options accordingly.
Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggested that a child be seated in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two, but recently the age limit has been removed.
The AAP now suggests using a car seat until the child reaches a suitable or a maximum height and weight allowed by the car seat.
Infant car seats are generally lightweight and are portable, so you can take them out of the car when you have to carry your baby with you. They usually double as a stroller seat and can snap right into a stroller base, making everything convenient.
If you’re looking for something that will last a little longer and can be used after the infant years, then investing in a convertible car seat is suggested. It can be used as either a front-facing or a rear-facing seat.
For toddlers and children weighing between 30 to a 100 pounds, you can use a combination car seat that usually requires a harness until a child weighs about 50 pounds.
You can remove the harness on a combination seat after your child reaches 50 pounds and use the car’s shoulder belt instead, making it an ideal investment for children up to 100 pounds.
Everything You Need to Know When Buying a Car Seat
Car seats can be front-facing or rear-facing and while it is suggested that you use a rear-facing seat for babies under the age of two, it is not a legal requirement.
Front-facing car seats are easier to manage and fare well with the inquisitive nature of children.
Combination car seats can transition between rear and front-facing positions with ease and will last longer than the infant ones. Make sure the materials of the car seat are child friendly and that there are no protrusions that might affect a child in case of a mishap.
Takeaways
Investing in a booster seat can be the best option, particularly if you’re a new parent; it can make managing journeys with a child on board much easier and might also be a requirement by law in some states.