Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, making your baby’s safety a top priority in the car. Choosing a car seat is often a challenge for new parents. There’s so much to consider, for instance, price, safety features, and durability. But this process doesn’t have to be complicated or challenging. You just need to know what to look for.
Here are some recommendations on what to look for when buying a car seat.
Types of Car Seats
These days, there are several types of car seats that you can choose from. Each offers your child security in a different way, and they have different functions. Here’s a short list of some types of car seats:
- Infant car seat
- Convertible car seat
- Booster seat
- All-in-one car seat
- Combination car seat
- Travel car seat
- High-back booster seat
- Backless booster seat
Important factors to Consider when choosing a car seat
Choosing a car seat is an important decision. A good car seat could be the difference between saving or losing your child in the event of an accident. That’s why parents should carefully choose a car seat for their child. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a car seat:
Has it been crash-tested?
When you’re choosing a car seat, you’ll know that you’re taking a step in the right direction if the car seat has been crash-tested. This simply means that the car seat has been tested in a crash situation and passed the test. You’ll usually see an NHTSA (for US car seats) stamp of approval or another stamp of the same kind indicating this. An important aspect to check is that you can fit two fingers between your child’s chest and the harness.
How easy is it to install?
Some car seats can be a nightmare to install. This is what you don’t want, especially if your car seat is portable. You want it to clip in and out of the car with ease. This comes in handy when your child falls asleep in the car, and you don’t want to wake them up. Just unclip the car seat and carry the whole thing inside with them while they sleep.
Is it easy to clean?
Babies are unpredictable. One minute they’re happy, and the next, “Blah!” all over the car seat. This is why having a car seat that’s easy to clean is a plus. Try to look for car seats that have removable, washable covers. This will make your job a whole lot easier.
Is it right for your child?
This is a good question to ask because there are different configurations for children of different ages. For instance, rear-facing car seats are good for newborns and younger children. They provide more protection and support for their necks and spines. Forward-facing car seats are for older kids, offering a harness and tether to stop forward movements. Then, a booster seat is available for older kids who can start utilising the car’s seatbelts.
Is it portable?
We mentioned this briefly just now, but having a portable car seat is very helpful. Not only for when your child falls asleep in the car. They’re the perfect method of carrying your child around when you go out to friends or family. You can even get a car seat that attaches to a pram bottom, turning it into a pram.
Is it comfy?
Trust us, if you get an uncomfortable car seat your child will let you know about it. Look for a car seat that’s going to be comfortable enough for your child to sleep in. This means that it needs to have sufficient padding, decent and well-placed straps, and be breathable.
Will it last?
The poor man always buys twice. This isn’t a knock on those who don’t have money; it’s more to say that those who purchase the cheapest item often end up buying it again because it breaks too fast. Buying a good quality car seat is a good investment, one that can take you through more than one child.
Final Thoughts
Ready to get your kid’s car seat? Great! Buying a car seat is simple. All you need to do is consider the factors above, and you’ll be well on your way to getting your child the perfect car seat. Happy shopping!
