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.

Heather's Car Seat Info & Links

Child safety technician gives installation tips for children up to age 14, and details statistics on correct usage. Note recommended convertible and niche models.

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LATCH and Top Tether Information for Child Safety Seat Restraints

Cosco Summit LATCH Britax Expressway with Rigid ... As with the many other confusing issues on child safety seat installation, you should always...

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

...several ways to make car safety seat installation safer and easier ... Cosco Ultra Dream Ride Infant Car Seat/Car Bed 3-point 5-20 pounds 26"...

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graco infant car seat with free, safest, evenflo and installation

graco infant car seat is the subject of this page, along with free, safest, evenflo and installation. ... installation of your infant car seat. Installation of the Cosco® Designer AND ...

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Cosco (Eddie Bauer) Car Seats

...the 9-1-02 FMVSS 225 standard requiring car seat installation without the use of the.....Cosco (Eddie Bauer) Car Seats .. (Cosco)Eddie Bauer/Infant Car Seat with LATCH.....no-thread belt ...

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safest infant car seat only evenflo infant car seat have

... dis count car seat car seat stroller car seat ... installation cosco alpha o mega car seat evenflo infant car seat cosco earn hardt rental car seat graco britax car seat ...

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Car Seat Compatibility Listing

Buy the seat, read the directions, and try to get the seat installed well. Check Up: Get your installation checked out by a cps tech.

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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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baby car seat installation > One Stop Babies

...car mirror | baby car seat cover | baby car seat installation | baby car seat rating.....baby car seats | cosco baby car seat | cosco baby car seats | graco baby car seats.....One Stop ...

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Cosco Car Seat - Toddlers! - Cosco Eddie Bauer Leather 5-Point High Ba

... Youll also like the security and sturdiness of the high-back style and the super-easy installation, which allows you to move the seat from car to car without breaking your back Cosco ...

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