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.

ODI - Office of Defects Investigation

NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. ... facing infant car seats/carriers - (Graco ... car seat. These seats do not ...

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Consignment Shopping Saves You Money

Advantages of shopping in consignment stores for baby clothes, maternity wear, bridal wear, designer clothing, jewelry, furniture, sports items and more.

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

American Academy of Pediatrics - 2005 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats ... Using car safety seats and seat belts correctly is the best way to prevent this from happening to your child. ...

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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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NHTSA - Child Passenger Safety

Review tips and download brochures about air bags, car seats, and safety standards. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Baby Car Seat, Inc.

... shopping directory Baby Car Seats (By Brand) Britax baby car seat Cosco baby car seat Graco baby car seat Evenflo baby car seat Other Brands baby car seat Baby Car Seats (By Price) - ...

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Don's Car Seat Page

Search for inspection stations by state or by zip code. Car Seats Discussion Board (ParentsPlace.com). Active discussion forum.

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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline

Child Passenger Safety advocacy group. Content includes: selecting and properly using car seats and boosters; technical information; Federal...

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Child Carseat Safety in Alexandria Virginia

Helps families select and use child car seats for children of all ages. Our services include car seat safety inspections and education on child passenger safety.

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Child Car Seats : RoSPA : Carrying Children Safely

...The Law | Safety Standards | Types of Child Seats | Choosing and Using Child Seats.....on purchasing, fitting and using child car restraints, along with links to..

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