How Do I know what kind of Car Seat to buy?

Ask yourself these four things:

1) How well will it Fit my child?
2)Is it Easy to install and use correctly every time?
3) Will it fit my car?
4) How much will it cost?

While most car seat’s that come in your travel system’s have a separate base to install, not all do.  Some have a leveling system built right into the car seat and others have it built into the base. But in any case most of these car seats will fit into tight spaces.

While you hope that your child does not outgrow the height and/or weight restrictions (for the infant car seat) before they’re one years old, many outgrow their car seat by 6 months. Weight restrictions vary anywhere from 18-25 lbs, so be aware, that if you have a chunky monkey on your hands, you may need to purchase your next seat before your bundle of joy turn’s 1.

So What kind of Car Seats are there? There are many–from infant seats to booster seats and everything in between.

Infant Car Seats

Max height: 32″, Child Age: Under age 1, Child Weight: 4-30lb

  • Can be used rear-facing only
  • Maximum weight limits usually around 20 – 22 pounds
  • Removable base for easy movement of baby without waking him or her
  • Extra bases available for purchase to make it possible to use the same car seat or carrier in multiple vehicles. Keep a base in each car and use just the one carry for transfer between cars
  • Smaller seat cradles newborns better; some experts consider it a safer option than a Convertible seat for infants
  • Compatible with strollers to create a convenient baby travel system
  • Will only be able to be used for about a year, even less in most cases depending on how fast your child grows

Check out Consumer Reports Ratings of the top Infant Car Seats! (These are Canadian Standards)

Transport Canada’s Stage one information guide.

Convertible Car Seats

Max height 49″, Child age: 0-5 years, Child Weight: 5-65 lbs

  • Convertible car seats are the only car seats that can be installed and used both rear-facing and forward-facing. Rear-facing weight limits are normally between 25 and 35 lbs. However, you must keep a child rear-facing at least until they hit age 1 and 20 lbs. Most governments recommend keeping kids rear-facing as long as possible. Forward-facing weight limits can be anywhere between 40 and 80 lbs, depending on the model.
  • Consider the fit. The higher the weight limit of a convertible seat, the more space it will take up in your car. Compare measurements and check out carseatdata.org to see if the car seat you want will fit in your vehicle.
  • Convertible car seats do not fit into your stroller travel systems.
  • Although most convertible car seats feature weight minimums around 5 pounds, a convertible car seat is not ideal for use with an infant. Most convertible car seats function as baby’s second car seat after they outgrow their infant car seat. If you do use a convertible car seat with an infant, look for models with included extras like head support and removable infant inserts. These extras help provide a snug fit for small children.

 

Youth and Toddler Car seats

Max Child Height 19″-59″, Child age: 1-8 years, Child weight 20-80 lbs

  • Can be used forward-facing only.
  • Minimum weight requirement of 20 lbs.
  • Maximum weight limits of 40 – 80 lbs.
  • Semi-permanent install, no removable base, once installed properly and securely it should be uninstalled rarely to adjust shoulder harness heights or to remove the 5-point harness for use as a Belt Positioning Booster on some models.
  • Not compatible with strollers
  • Depending on the seat, your child may be able to use this seat for up to at least the age of 8. For many children, a Youth/Toddler seat will be the last car seat they will be in. Or you could choose to skip the use of a Youth/Toddler seat and go straight from a Convertible seat to a Booster seat.

To Check out reviews of different models of car seats go to http://www.elitecarseats.com

See what Consumer Reports has to say about the different Car Seats.

Transport Canada’s Stage two guide.

Transport Canada

If you live in Canada, you must purchase your Car seat in Canada. Transport Canada has imposed more strict safety regulation on Car Seat Manufacturer’s. If you get into a collision with a car seat not approved by Transport Canada, all insurance bet’s are off–and you may get a steep fine.

Check out Transport Canada’s road safety tips for you and the family, also check on stage three and four of the safety guide!

The Bottom Line

We purchased the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP to fit with our Pliko P3 Stroller. While it has high safety factors, it was VERY heavy and bulky. My son hated it, he cried every time he was in it.  He also has out grown it at just under 6 months of age. But for the safety factor I would use this car seat again.

Our next choice is the Britax Marathon convertible car seat. It’s like night and day with this kid. It seems he’s got more room and he just relaxes in it! It’s also really easy to take him in and out of it! Well worth the money!

I don’t think that you have to spend the big cash on car seats just make sure that they fit in your car, they meet the safety standards and that your child is comfortable in them. See if the place you are purchasing your car seat from will allow you to return it if it doesn’t fit or babe doesn’t like it. Or if you have a friend with the same car seat, see if you can try your baby out in it.

Best of luck!