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.

Child Passenger Safety

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

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Car Seat Compatibility List

Access a user-submitted database displaying compatibility between specific car seats and vehicles or airplanes. Look up model dimensions in a PDF reference document.

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Great Baby Rooms

Highchairs. Bouncers. Car Seats ... way to add style to your child's ... of adding your son's initial on the ... Angel Line Country Style...

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Welcome to The Child Care Books Store

The Child Care Books Store Welcome to The Child Care Books Store We hope you like the books we've selected for people who love child care books. Our newsletter can help you keep in touch ...

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Compare Bargains Babies and Children links

Compare Bargains Babies and Children links. Baby shower, baby clothing, baby gifts, baby depot, baby cribs, toddler bed, toddler activity, child clothing children books, child furniture, ...

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Howstuffworks "How Child Car Seats Work"

Safety. How Child Car Seats Work ... by You simply wouldn't be able to hold on to the child, no matter how hard you tried. The bottom line is that...

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Infant Car Seats .com

100% Guaranteed On-line secure shopping Welcome to Infant Car Seats .Com Carseats and booster seats for your child safety and piece...

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

...to the slots that are at or above your child's shoulders. On many convertible seats, the top harness slots ... hot line. Don't leave your child...

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Child, Infant, Booster Car Seats and Travel System Strollers

Car Seats and more at Elite Car Seats, we carry only the best in infant car seats, convertible car seats, booster car seats, youth car seats, toddler car seats, and special needs car seats. ...

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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline

... Safe Ride Helpline for Child Passenger Safety ... Boosters & Belt Fit. Car Seat Checkup. FAQs / Best safety seat ... the national non-profit organization dedicated to child ...

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