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.

Car Seats

Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families. 2003. American Academy of Pediatrics. Every state requires that infants and children ride buckled up. ... seat for a small infant, the best choice ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Baby car seat buying guide. Protect your child with safety car seats..

...you can use facing rear as ... gets to face the front of ... High-Backed Booster with 5-Point Harness - This ... Touch Car Seat with LATCH...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

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

American Academy of Pediatrics - 2005 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats ... in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of ... Have a 3-point or 5-point harness ... a safety seat ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Car Seats - Which are the Best?

The seat is rear facing from 5 ... Evenflo Medallion V XL ... may be installed much easier (from the front). Up front recline lever too! 5...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Triumph 5 Convertible Car Seat - Sail Fish

... seat in the rear facing position, while seat is in car. I ... recline until you face the seat forward. Baby is ... Springs, CO. Secure seat, hard to readjust ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Read EvenFlo Discovery Adjust Right V Infant Car Seat reviews and comp

... rear-facing position in the car and must not be used in the front seat if the car ... seat is also the best choice for ... to adequately secure smaller newborns ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Recommended Car Seats

Recommended Car Seats. ALL car seats save lives when installed and used correctly each time! My providing this list does not constitute an endorsement of these seats; this list is based ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Berkeley Parents Network: Carseats and Travel

...because they do not have a choice in the ... How do we secure our child in ... this ''mini carseat'' (some sort of 5 point harness ... my an...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Return to BabyCenter

American Academy of Pediatrics - 2005 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats ... in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of ... Have a 3-point or 5-point harness ... a safety seat ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Amazon.com: Baby: Express Booster Seat

...this a safe front-facing ... touches make it a convenient choice for a ... It's OK to use as a 5 point harness car seat, but ... I checked...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]