One important factor to consider when choosing a car seat is how well the car seat can grow with your child. As your child gets bigger, the car seat will need to be adapted to accommodate him or her as safely and comfortably as possible. This might mean adjusting the shoulder straps, changing the incline of the car seat, or even flipping a rear-facing car seat around to be a front-facing car seat.
Speaking of incline, this is not only important as your child grows. It matters at any age because each car seat is angled differently. You’ll want to look for a car seat that can adjust to various inclines because it will allow you to safely install the car seat in any car regardless of how the seat bottom is angled. Many car seats will include a display on the side, similar to a level, that shows you when the car seat is at a safe angle for your child.
You’ll also want to pay attention to what sort of expiration date each car seat has. In general, car seats will expire six to ten years after the date of manufacture. Car seats have an expiration date for a number of reasons, which may include general wear and tear, changing regulations in place for car seat safety, recalls, and the limits of the testing originally done on the car seats. To ensure maximum safety for your child, you won’t want to continue using a car seat after it has passed its manufacturer-suggested expiration date.
To protect your baby from the sun and wind, you’ll want to see if your car seat has a sun shade. If it doesn’t you can purchase a separate car seat cover that will accomplish the same thing.
Lastly, you’ll want to think about how you’ll clean your car seat. Whether your baby spits up, eats and drinks in their car seat, or has the inevitable blow-out, it’s not a matter of if your car seat needs to be cleaned, but when. Most car seats feature covers that are machine washable and dryer-safe. Some car seats may even feature dishwasher-safe removable cupholders.
This car seat functions well as a rear-facing or front-facing design, along with a high-back booster for children up to 100 pounds.
The headrest can be adjusted to 10 different positions to offer your child the safest and most comfortable position as they grow. You’ll also love the push-button latch that provides easy, one-second secure installation.
The harness holders keep the harness open, making it easier to get the baby in and out of the seat.
This car seat includes two cup holders to keep drinks close. The cover is easy to clean and removes quickly to put in the washing machine.
You’ll love how well the 5-point harness system can accommodate children of all ages and sizes
This car seat features superior DuoGuard with a deep rigid shell for head and body support, along with EPS energy-absorbing foam and a steel-reinforced frame for reassuring protection.
This car seat allows you to keep your child secure for up to 10 years, or until they are 63 inches tall.
This car seat features click-tight installation. All you need to do to be ready to use your car seat is open, thread and buckle, and click it closed.
This car seat features easy-to-slide no rethread harness straps that can adjust as your child grows without uninstalling the car seat from your car.
This car seat has been engineered for maximum comfort, safety, and longevity.
This car seat includes side-impact protection to shield your child in the event of a side-impact crash. It’s built with a one-click latch to make installation easy.
A: Typically, car seats are sized by children’s weight, and not by children’s ages. Usually, car seats can remain rear-facing until children reach 40 pounds, and children can remain in a forward-facing car seat until they’ve reached 65 pounds. After this, children typically use a booster seat until they reach 100 pounds. Children may also be boosted until they reach a certain height. A popular saying is, “Boost all the time until four feet nine.”
A: Car seats go through a variety of tests before being sold. These tests may include federal tests, ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and tests to ensure that they meet JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) safety standards. Many car seats will also include warranties with purchase. For general information about car seat safety, and how to properly install them, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s web page.