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.

Best Convertible Car Seats?

Many parents ask about the best car seats on the market today. Actually, the best car seat is one that you'll install correctly and use correctly each time your baby is in the car. However, ...

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Fit Pregnancy: Car seats: the best safety seats for your infant or tod

... & Technology Health & Fitness Home & Garden News & Society Reference & Education Sports Car seats: the best safety seats for your infant or toddler - Buyers Guide Fit Pregnancy, ...

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Best Car Seats for Babies and Toddlers

Once your baby outgrows an infant car seat, it's time for a convertible car seat that will carry your baby safely until he or she reaches 40 pounds or more. Convertible car seats can be ...

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Baby Car Seats - Booster Car Seats for Toddlers - Car Seat Reviews - B

A car seat may be the most important purchase ever made for your baby! Learn about the baby car seats and boosters that are available today and make the best and safest car seat choice by ...

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Car Seats

... We have compiled the best resources on Car Seats on the Net ... research on car seats, as well as our selection of the best (and safest) car seats available. ...

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Car Seats

Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families. 2003. American Academy of Pediatrics. Every state requires that infants and children ride buckled up. ... No one car safety seat is ...

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Delta Portable Cribs Recalled

Delta Enterprises announced yesterday the recall of 10,000 portable baby cribs sold in baby products stores from January 2004 through February of this year. The slats on these portable ...

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Seats of Power - Newsweek Enterprise - MSNBC.com

... Enterprise » Newsweek Enterprise Sponsored by Seats of Power RelatedSeats of Power - Newsweek ...

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Car Seats - Which are the Best?

Best Baby Products -The Web's Most Comprehensive Baby Product Resource. Which are the best car seats and where to buy them at the lowest prices. ... Baby Strollers, High Chairs, Car Seats, ...

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Stroller, Diaper Bags, and Car Seats at Strollandgo.com

... Resources: 1 | 2 | 3 Specializing in on the go baby products such as strollers, diaper bags, and car seats. Stroll And Go offers a stylish and unique selections by Bugaboo, Valco, Peg ...

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