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.

Pet Carriers & Soft Crates

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Goin' Cozy

Offing a special, handmade carrier/car seat cover for that special little one--including his or her name.

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Baby Gifts, baby carriers, Baby shower gifts, baby quilts, baby...

The See Shell Baby Carrier is an infant carrier only, NOT A CAR SEAT.

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Amazon.com: Baby: Kolcraft Universal Car Seat Carrier

... Kolcraft Universal Car Seat Carrier. Other products by Kolcraft ... mistake, so other than in this review, THIS kolcraft Universal Car Seat Carrier is known as the Snap N Go ...

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Amazon.com: Baby: Snap 'N Go - Infant Car Seat Carrier

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All Season Infant/Baby Car Seat/Carrier Cover

(click on the picture for print/color samples) This reversible infant carrier / car seat cover is the practical way to make sure babies keep warm and...

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Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier

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Kolcraft/Products

... Universal Car Seat Carrier. The Universal Car Seat Carrier is the Solution to Bulky Travel Systems ...

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BabyNavigator.com - Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat Carrier

The Grqaco SnugRide car seat carrier is one of the best when it comes to safety and comfort of your newborn baby. There are so many great things we...

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

Cosco Ultra Dream Ride Infant Car Seat/Car Bed 3-point 5-20 pounds 26" $50 Eddie Bauer Infant Car Seat 5-point 5-22 pounds 29" $90-$100...

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