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 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 ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Great products for babies, children and mom-to-be invented by real...

Products include safety vests, car seat covers, baby shields, stain removers, and a snuggle nest that keeps a baby safe in a parent's bed.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Car Seat Belts, Air Bags, Car Seats, Automobile Seating Safety,...

...seat belt systems. The benefits of the three-point seat belts have been firmly established: over 50%% of fatal and serious injuries to car...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Don's Car Seat Page

A guide to child passenger safety on the web ... Don's Car Seat Page. A guide to child passenger ... of car seat. Vehicle Seat Belts and Child Seat Installation (NHTSA). Explains the ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

National Safety Council Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign

Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign. NSC Home > Operation ABC Mobilization Welcome to the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign...

[ 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 ... use a safety seat belt to secure the car safety seat. All passenger vehicles and car safety seats made ... use a ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Dog Seat Belt for Car

...Accessories | Dog Seat Belt | Dog Seat Belt for Car..Dog Seat Belt for Car..Code.....PT Car Seat Belt..Price : $22.00..Color:  NOW YOU.....a human being.135 lb. Rottweiler..Pet Car Seat ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Parenting Videos

Online videos about safety and parenting topics.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline

... Aircraft Travel. Boosters & Belt Fit. Car Seat Checkup. FAQs / Best safety seat. Helpful Handouts. Identify your safety seat. "If I had known then..." ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

EDDIE BAUER | Eddie Bauer Car Seat

...Perego .. baby car seat.. Combi .. baby car seat.. Other Brands .. baby car seat.. Baby.....safety, the seat features a four-point seat belt harness (LATCH system), which ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]