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. ... Cardio-Vascular - (en esp) Cancer. Car ...

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Custom Car Seats Covers

Custom car seats covers made using the buyer's choice of fabric.

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Car Seats

Information on Car Safety, Carseats and their Safe Installation. Buying Guides and FAQ for Safe Vehicles and Child Restraints. Read about LATCH, tethers and features. ... Please visit our ...

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Fisher-Price recalls thousands of children's car seats

[CNN.com]

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Amazon.com Baby: Car Seats

Search: Baby Products All Products ... Browse: Backpacks & CarriersCar SeatsStrollersTravel SystemsPlayards Gear Pattern CollectionsBeddingFurniture ... September 1, 2002, all new child ...

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Safe Ride

Safe Start, the injury prevention program of BC's Children's Hospital, introduces their car safety program. Scan the car seat safety checklist.

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Seats of Power - Newsweek Enterprise - MSNBC.com

... Enterprise » Newsweek Enterprise Sponsored by Seats of Power RelatedSeats of Power - Newsweek ...

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Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2002

A complete guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Babytips - Car Seats

... A message from the editors Baby of the week Our Links Page Baby Tips - Safety Tips New born babies and car seats Make sure you have acquired a baby car seat before you have to collect ...

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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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