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 Seat Safety :: Mommyguide.com :: Peer Parenting Research & On-

... your child's weight and height. Baby's (up to 20 pounds) face backward in their car seats or they ... Newborn Car Seat Safety Checklist. Airlines Car Seat Restrictions ...

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Canadian Parents - Car Seats - Booster Seat Information Fact Sheet

... Keep her in the car seat until she outgrows the car seats height or weight restrictions. Check the instructions to find this information. My son is already 40 pounds and he's only 3. Is ...

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Rear-Facing Carseats and Safety

Home | Forums | Carseat Basics | FAQ | LATCH | Free Carseat Inspection | Site Index Why Rear-Facing is Safest A common question asked by parents is, "How soon can I turn my child to face ...

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Product Review: Little People Seats

...between the two car seats was ... 9" tall. Height capacity varies by vehicle, but no weight restrictions are placed on any of the seats. Check...

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SJA - Car Seat Safety

... Car seats must carry the compliance label stating the height and weight restrictions of the child for which ... Car seats should not be reused if they have been involved in ...

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

...until he reaches the highest weight Forward-facing seat ... and height limits allowed by the car safety seat. There are many types of seats that...

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Using a car seat when your baby is preterm or low birth weight

... you are shopping for a car seat, make sure to find out what the weight and height restrictions are for that seat. Infant car seats are usually for babies who weigh 2.3 to 9 kilograms (5 ...

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Brainspill » The Girl

...a year old, but she meets the height/weight restrictions so we got her a new car seat.....worthwhile vehicle We ll have 2 car seats to deal with in just a few months.....named Jackson ...

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Car Seat Safety and Child Safety Restraints

Manufacturer and supplier of premature infant, infant and toddler products. Specialize in support systems and positioning aids for car seats, infant carriers, strollers, wheelchairs, ...

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Safe Kids Week 2004

... Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), all car and booster seats made for sale in Canada must show the ... manufacturer's information; - height and weight restrictions; - instructions for ...

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