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.

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

Common questions about car safety seats Q: What if my baby is premature? A: Use a car safety seat without a shield harness.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Child Passenger Safety

Usage and installation tips. Booster seat information. Restraint laws. Recalls. Air bags. Training programs.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Booster Seats, Toddler Booster Seats, Car Seats Child Booster Seat - B

Booster Seats - car booster seats including Graco booster seats, Cosco booster seats and more.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

healthybabycare.com Baby Supplies, Baby R Us, Booster Seats,...

We sell booster seats, nursery themes, carriers, shermag, baby jockey, baby cars,

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

BabyTrain.com

Popular baby strollers, booster seats, and accessories.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Baby Furniture Store

Baby cribs, cradles, changers, dressers, beds and booster seats.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Discount Baby Booster and Hook-On Seats

...Contact #1 Baby Store.. Save on ..Baby Booster and Hook-On Seats.. at #1 Baby Store.....Store > Baby Feeding Products > Baby Booster and Hook-On Seats.. Healthy Care.....products ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Baby Booster Seats at Babyterritory.com

Search Baby Products: Baby Booster Seats Store Thank you for shopping at Babyterritory.com, featuring high end Baby Booster Seats and related Baby Products at discount prices! There are 25 ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Boost America! Homepage

Boost America! is a highway safety campaign designed to send the message to parents and children that booster seats are the safe and fun way for...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

baby car seats, booster seat, uk

...baby car seats, booster seat, childrens car.....online - babies shopping....  ..baby car seats , booster seat and accessories, your.....If you are interested in our baby car seats , ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]