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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infant car seat rating

...infant car seat rating - best brands, baby prices...

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Car Shopping Tips for New and Expecting Parents

Shopping for a baby-friendly car? Follow these tips to help you find a car that's convenient for you and safe for your newborn.

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CarSeatZone.com / Car Seat Safety Ratings

Directory of Child Car Seat Reviews and Retailers

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Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings

Review which car seats have the best ease of use ratings and which are easier to assemble, install and use than other car seats. ... Main > Safety > Car Seat Safety Guide > Car ...

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Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. De

... Child Safety Seat Information Crash Tests and Rollover Ratings Disabled Drivers ... Crash Test and Rollover Ratings at Safercar.gov ... 2005 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings ...

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Child Passenger Safety

Usage and installation tips. Booster seat information. Restraint laws. Recalls. Air bags. Training programs.

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infant car seats, baby car seats, car seat ratings

...child car seats, booster seats and car seat ratings.. Child Car Seat Reviews Home.....child car seats, booster seats and car seat ratings.. You have come to the right.....child ...

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Ratings: Car seats. Watch for recalls. You'll find recalls listed at SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.'s site, www.carseat.org, or at the NHTSA site at ...

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