| Your baby undoubtedly deserves nothing more | | | | versions available, which adequately secure the |
| than the most comfortable and safest car seats, | | | | baby's shoulders and crotch. You may have to |
| but with the hundreds of choices that all seem to | | | | pay a few extra dollars for added features such |
| offer different features, how do you know which | | | | as detachable bases that can be secured to your |
| is best? Use this guide to help you decide. | | | | car, or adjustable bases, but these add-ons are |
| The features you should look for in a car seat | | | | more than worth it. Some models even have |
| should change as your baby grows. You typically | | | | convertible seats, which are great if you have a |
| start with a rear-facing seat for an infant, and | | | | big or a fast-growing baby. |
| then progress to a forward-facing child seat for | | | | Forward-facing car seats are needed when your |
| toddlers, and then to a booster seat for bigger | | | | baby is already a year old or older. Remember to |
| children. Let us discuss what you should look for in | | | | install this seat on your back seat, not your front |
| each type. | | | | seat, because your airbags can injure your child or |
| Rear-facing seats are designed for infants under | | | | cause him or her to suffocate in the event of a |
| twelve months. Look for a seat that is big enough | | | | collision. |
| to support the baby's head, neck, and spine. If | | | | Booster seats are for children ages four to six. |
| your baby's head goes higher than the top part of | | | | These seats are designed much like adult car |
| the seat, get a bigger size or graduate to a car | | | | seats, with a seatbelt that supports both the rib |
| seat designed for toddlers. | | | | cage and the hips. Fasten and adjust the belt just |
| Choose a rear-facing seat with sturdy harnesses - | | | | like you would your own seatbelt - the belt should |
| the more support, the better. Five-point harness | | | | go over the hips (not the tummy), and the strap |
| straps support the shoulders, hips, and the crotch, | | | | should support the shoulder (not the neck). |
| but can be quite restricting. There are three-point | | | | |