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.

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ABC7Chicago.com: Best Booster Seats

Best Booster Seats. April 21, 2003 - ... Consumer Reports tester - and father - John Galeotafiore knows how important child safety seats are -

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Toddler Car Seats Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - Con

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Convertible Car Seats Reviews: Product Reviews Comparison Reports - Co

... car seats, Consumer Reports independent ... Most convertible seats allow rear-facing up ... 3-in- 1) has been a best-selling convertible ... facing seat, and a booster seat up to eighty ...

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Toddler Car Seats Reviews: Product Reviews Comparison Reports -...

Seats Review You are here: Family >> Toddler Car Seats Updated September 2004. Consumer Reports ... car seats for more information. Best...

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Best Booster Seats, According to Consumer Reports

... Michael Geeser, Consumer Editor. Best Booster Seats, According to Consumer Reports ... time you get behind the wheel. Consumer Reports just released a study showing most parents think ...

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TheKCRAChannel.com - Call 3 - Consumer Reports Tests Car Booster...

Consumer Reports Tests Car Booster Seats ... On The Side ... Office Netiquette: Instant Messaging. What Are 2005 Best Car Buys?

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CPTV/Connecticut Originals - Kids and Cars: Before the Crash

... KIDS (including car seat check events) Consumer Reports: Booster Seats Alert Insurance Institute for ... Proper installation of child safety seats is best achieved by reading the ...

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