Walking down the car seat aisle at your local store can make you dizzy. There are infant seats, convertible seats, booster seats, high-back booster seats just to name a few. So how do you know you are choosing the correct seat for your little one? Here is a break down of when to use each seat.
Rear-facing Infant Seat: This seat can only be used in the rear-facing position for infants from 5lbs to approximately 22lbs. These normally have a handle and easily snap into the car base, which is always left in the car. These can be convenient for little babies, allowing them to sleep in the seat while in travel. They are made to also snap into a stroller for easy transport of your delicate little one. This seat can be used until the baby exceeds the weight limit or is within one inch of the top of the seat when sitting. Ensure when placing your little baby in this seat that the chest clip is placed between the under arms. Many times the clip is left lower because it is easier to snap and unsnap, however this is unsafe and could allow the baby to slip out if in an accident. The straps should come from the back of seat below the infants shoulders.
Convertible Car Seat: This seat is made for babies from 5lbs up to 45lbs. They are made for both rear and forward-facing. All children should remain rear-facing as long as possible, as this is the safest. The earliest a child should be switched to forward facing is one year old. While in the rear-facing position, straps should be below the child’s shoulders. When switching to forward-facing, the straps should always be above the shoulders. As with the infant seat, always ensure the front clip is pushed up near the child’s under arms. Although this seat can be used much longer than an infant seat, many people prefer the infant seat because it can be easily carried, whereas the convertible seat is not removed from the car.
High-back Booster Seat: This seat is for toddlers weighing 30lbs – 100lbs. These allow the child to sit higher on the car seat and hold the car seat belt at a comfortable level for the small child. These seats do not include a harness, only using the car seat belt.
Booster Seat: This seat is much like the high-back booster, but does not have the back portion. This is only the seat portion, allowing the child to sit higher. There is no adjustment for the seat belt.
