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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seatcheck

Visit the link for details.

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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline

Safe Ride Helpline for Child Passenger Safety. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. is the national non-profit organization dedicated to child passenger safety. ... Boosters & Belt Fit. Car Seat ...

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Children's Car Seat Safety Guide

... Recommend Us tell a friend about us or email this page to a friend Main > Safety > Car Seat Safety Guide > Children's Car Seat Safety Guide Even though most parents understand ...

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Car-Seat.Org Child Passenger Safety Forums - powered by vBulletin

...Vehicle and Carseat Safety Issues.....Car-Seat.Org Carseat and Car Safety Forums.....Discussions on Car Safety, Child Restraints and their Safe..

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

...20-$25.. Cosco Ultra Dream Ride..Infant Car Seat/Car Bed..3-point..5-20 pounds..26"$50.....40-$70.. Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat..5-point..5-35 pounds and 36"20-40.....170.. ...

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Car Seat Compatibility Listing

...org directly with your question (use "car seat" in the subject line, please!). Have a.....should help you navigate through the entire car seat jungle, from the initial ...

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Hugs-A-Lot Car Seat Blanket Review - Hugs-A-Lot Blanket for Baby Car S

The Hugs-A-Lot car seat blanket is a safer way to keep baby warm during travel. Thick coats can compromise car seat safety, but the Hugs-A-Lot blanket is thin enough that it won't compress ...

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Seatcovers.net

Provides a selection of car seat covers for current and vintage automobiles. See FAQs, ordering information, selections by car or cover type, and warranty details.

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