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.

»»Baby Product reviews for Britax««

...the best! Read all of the reviews on Britax car seats and buy one! It is worth the money.....for it! :) Great Seat.. I have the Canadian Marathon which has just come out here. It ...

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BabyCenter | Community: BBS - August 2004 babies | Convertible Car

...been ranting about the Britax car seats. ... Hi Shelley, I know Britax has a Canadian Marathon, but I think it only goes to 48 pounds (vs 65 in...

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Baby Car Seats, Inc.

Baby Car Seats, Inc. shopping directory Shop for baby car seats, and child car seats Choose your price range Choose your brand Baby Car Seats (By Brand) Britax baby car seats Cosco baby car ...

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Marathon - Microdot Tan

We carry all the Canadian Approved Britax car seats. We have some of the listed ones in stock. There are three or four new patterns which will be...

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Car-Seat.Org Child Passenger Safety Forums - Britax help (In Canada)

...Safety Forums > Safety Topics > Car Seats > Britax help (In Canada)   Last Thread.....Posts: 834.. I'd stick with the Canadian Marathon, if it were me. Canada has ...

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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 ...

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Search.com Directory : Home : Consumer Information : Home and Family :

Search.com Directory of Web Sites ... All Britax Ships Free. Low Priced Car Seats and Strollers Marathon, Roundabout, Wizard ... 3-4 - Canadian government site which discusses different ...

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BRITAX MARATHON DENIM: car, seat, britax

Home Auto Safety Bath Accessories Car Seats Electrical Footwear Gates Hardware Home Home Safety Locks ... St Toronto Ontario M6B 3T4 Specials BRITAX MARATHON DENIM Canadian Marathons are ...

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CanadianDriver: Transport Canada advises of problem with some Britax

August 16, 2004 Transport Canada advises of problem with some Britax child seats ... harness strap adjusting device of some Britax Marathon child...

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Car-Seat.Org Child Passenger Safety Forums - Britax help (In Canada)

...Safety Forums > Safety Topics > Car Seats > Britax help (In Canada)   Last Thread.....Posts: 833.. I'd stick with the Canadian Marathon, if it were me. Canada has ...

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