Safety First Toddler Car Seat

There are two basic styles of cars seats for very young kids. Both these two styles of seats are now considered essential child safety items. The first one is the infant car seat for infants who weigh less than 20 lbs and are less than a year old. According to experts, these infant seats are the safest. The second one is the infant-toddler car seats, which are the topic of our present article.

Infant-toddler seats are also known as convertible car seats because these can be adjusted to face forward or backward as and when needed. These car seats can be used by both infants and older children weighing up to 40 lbs. The seat is to be installed in the back seat for infants below age one, facing the rear until they reach a year old.

The infant-toddler car seat can be turned to face forward when the kid weighs a minimum 20 lbs but it should be done only when s/he has reached age one. However, experts advise against this and suggest that it’s safest to seat the kid facing the rear as long as possible if the kid is comfortable and the seat can take his/her weight. This is the safest method in case of an accident. That is because, in a frontal collision, the stress on a forward-facing child’s neck can injure his/her spine.

Speaking of this, a majority of the newly designed infant-toddler car seats can carry kids up to 30 lbs in a rear-facing position. These convertible car seats are thus useful for those who reach 20 lbs. before age one, and also for keeping them extra safe after that.

The cost of an infant-toddler seats generally start at around $70.

Qualities of an ideal infant-toddler car seat

1. Simple and easy to install: A complex process can hamper proper installation of the seat and secure harnessing of the baby which is necessary for adequate safety.

2. Buy a seat with sufficient harness: An ideal infant-toddler seat must have at least a five-point safety harness. There should be one strap for each shoulder, each thigh, and one between legs. These are safer for an infant than plastic shields or T-bar restraints. You also need to keep in mind that buying new seats are safer than buying used seats which often use outdated safety techniques.

3. Belt adjustments from the front: The better seats are those that let you make adjustments from the front and have raised belt slots for buckling ease. Hence, these are much safer than seats that make belt adjustments from the back. Some new models now come with automatic adjustment.

4. LATCH system: Beginning September 2002, all new child safety seats and vehicles must be compatible with the LATCH system, which is acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system combines the previously existing top tethers with two lower anchors, built into the rear of the car. It is designed to make installation of a car seat easier and safer by attaching it directly to the vehicle instead of using the seat belt to secure it.

5. Washability and comfort: Although babies are notorious for making a mess of things, only a few manufacturers of infant-toddler car seats consider this common aspect. Most car seats come with permanently fixed pad covers which are un-washable. Always buy one with pad covers that could be detached and laundered in a washing machine. Also opt for a well padded seat with enough head and back support. This will enable your child to enjoy a more comfortable ride.