Baby Shower Planning

From the time you leave the hospital with your precious new addition, you will need to transport your baby safely in car seats. It’s important that you do some research before choosing which car seat is right for you and your baby.

Shopping for car seats for your baby or toddler can be hard with all the options and features available, here are some tips to help you make the choice a bit easier.

Choose car seats that you find easy to use and fits well in your car. Be sure it can be buckled tightly.

Look for car seats you can use in the rear-facing position for as long as possible.

Be aware of weight limits.

Keep in mind that if you buy infant-only car seats, you will need a convertible car seat later when your baby outgrows the infant car seat.

Do not buy used car seats, you never know if they have been in an accident, had a recall or possibly have missing parts.

Finding the perfect car seat for your baby or toddler

Some infant car seats today have detachable bases, which means the base always stays in the car, and you simply unlock the seat and carry your baby around in the seat portion, which is great if your baby falls asleep, you will not wake them up by moving them to the house or where ever you are going.

A 5-point harness which secures your baby at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs does a much better job at keeping your baby safe than the 3-point harness system.

There are three types of car seats available today:

Infant Only - Used specifically for infants up to 22 pounds or 26 inches long, these are designed to support a growing baby’s head, neck and back.

Convertible Seats - Can be converted from a rear-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing seat, which means you only purchase one seat until your child reaches 40 pounds.

Booster Seats - Are used for When your toddler has outgrown the convertible seat, but is too small to use your car’s seat belt system.

Since September 1, 2002, all new infant, child car seats and vehicles are equipped with a standardized child restraint system known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).

When you are traveling, whether it be around town running errands, going to the grocery store or traveling long distance, having the right car seat will make your time in the car more pleasurable by providing comfort and safety for your baby or toddler, and by giving you peace of mind.

Infant car seats, Convertible and Booster car seats come in many styles and brands, by top baby manufacturers such as Graco, Britax, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo and Peg Perego.

Unfortunately, sometimes car seats are recalled. When you buy a new car seat, please make sure you send in the registration card so you will be notified of any problems or recalls.

Before making your car seat purchase, please check the National Highway Transportation Safety Administrations site to see if there have been any recalls or problems with the car seat you are thinking of purchasing.

Please note: Laws in all states require infant, toddler and child car seats.