The Britax Roundabout, a popular convertible car seat.

All About Car Seats

There are three main types of car seats on the market today. First, the infant car seat is designed for the youngest of children, up to 20 or 22 pounds. Most of these seats have two parts, the base which stays strapped in to the vehicle's safety belt system and the carrier which snaps out and allows the baby to be carried without unfastening the infant from the harness (very important if Baby has finally fallen asleep!) The infant car seats are designed to be rear-facing, where the infant faces the rear of the vehicle. It is important for infants to be seated rear facing for the first year of life, until the muscles of the neck are strong enough to withstand the force an accident could impose on them.

A second type of car seat is called the convertible seat, and is designed for newborns through toddlers, or up until 40 pounds. This seat is designed to be used rear-facing for the first year of life, or up until the weight restrictions (usually 30 pounds). After this, the seat can face forward until the child reaches the upper weight limit, usually 40 pounds, although some car seats can be used longer. The most popular type of harness system for infants and toddlers is the five-point system, where the child is clipped by a series of three clips designed to evenly disperse the force of impact. The five-point system is highly recommended, although other systems (such as the three-point or overhead bar) may still be available.

After the child graduates from the convertible seat, it's time for a booster seat. These seats no longer use a separate harness system, the child and seat are both strapped directly into the vehicle's seat belt. The booster is designed to raise the child up in the seat so the vehicle's harness can function correctly. Booster seats should be used until the child is 80 pounds, at which time the child will be ready for the use of the regular seat belt. While some boosters are rated for children as light as 30 pounds, it is important to keep children in the 5-point restraint systems for as long as possible.

Car Safety 4 Kids - Airplane Safety

... are concerned that if car seats are mandatory for all children ... is to always use a car restraint on an airplane. Travel Vests ... to lend a hand. Bring the stroller to wheel your ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Strollers + Car Seats

UK. USA. NZ. FlyingwithKids. Most babies travel best with a set of wheels! But getting yours onboard an aircraft will often mean engaging in. The Great Stroller Debate! ... The rules ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Car Seat Basics - Selection and Use

Home | Forums | Carseat Basics | FAQ | LATCH | Free Carseat Inspection | Site Index Car Seat Basics: Selection and Use Motor Vehicle Crashes are the #1 killer of kids ages 1-14, according ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

2004 Family Shopping Guide for Car Seats

Safety News Release Posted: March 15th, 2004 2004 Family Shopping Guide for Car Seats ... Can I use a car safety seat on an airplane...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Going by Airplane: Part One

USING YOUR CAR SEAT ON THE AIRPLANE ... Car seats approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) manufactured after January 1, 1981, except...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Melissa's Krafthaus: A Possible Solution?

...of time today researching convertible car seats, but this one brings a whole new.....the airplane, without having to check the stroller at the gate or wait for it to appear.....a little. ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Airplane Car Seats Stroller

Lots of information about car seats and Airplane Car Seats Stroller. ... Your source for everything about Airplane Car Seats Stroller! ... Great places on the web to find more about ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

AAP - Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families - 2005

American Academy of Pediatrics - 2005 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats ... come as part of a stroller system). Have a 3-point ... securely fastened in car safety seats until 4 years of ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Car seats: Rear-face until at least one year

Rear-facing car seats: What you need to know ... by Kathleen Weber ... Email this page. Print. Ease-of-use ratings for child safety... [article]

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Airplane Travel with Babies and Toddlers

... easier travel with kids in car seats If the car seat base is wide ... the buckle flap toward the airplane seatback, so you will be ... travelers use a car seat with a stroller base. A ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]