Car Seat for your Child

As parents, and this is especially true for first-time parents, we sometimes get "too paranoid" in choosing stuff for our little one. Of course, it's not hard to understand. They are our precious bundle of joy. For me, nothing brings me more joy than my child. And, as parents, we have lots of decision to make. From getting the best crib, to getting an education plan for the child, we should always be on top. Ah, yes that's the other "joy" of being a parent. In terms of child safety, we always want our child to be safe wherever he/she is. Be it inside the house, on the outside playground or inside the car. In the car, the car seat offers the best protection a child can ever have. Newborns and infants, with their fragile and tender bodies, should definitely be in one whenever they travel in a car. The car seat provides a defensive barrier that protects the child in case of an accident.

The number one rule for a safe car seat is to follow the manufacturer recommendation on proper placement and usage. It is a fact that the correct use and installation of the car seat prevents crash-related deaths and serious injuries to child passengers. It is therefore depressing to hear that during 2002, car seat clinics (in Canada) found that only less than twenty percent of car seats they checked were correctly installed. I hope that with the rising popularity of clinics like that one, the statistics should have improved by now. Please always check your vehicle manual along with the car seat manual. Most importantly, always ensure that the seat is tightly secured whenever you are going out on a trip with your child. If you are having issues or want to have your child car seat installation inspected just to be sure that you get it right, contact your local police station or firemen. They should be able to guide and help you out.

Looking for a Car Seat
I'll admit that I was clueless the first time I was looking for a car seat for my child. But, as with almost everything I plan to buy, I head on the internet to check out the popular brands and the learn the features that I should look for. The choices are many. There's a lot of good brands out there you can choose from (Britax, Graco, Cosco, Peg Perego, Safety First, Evenflo etc). There's also a lot of different websites offering reviews comparing one model of car seat against the other. Sometimes, it's overwhelming and confusing as you'll get different opinions from different people. On the same car seat, some might be strongly for and others are strongly against. How then can you decide on the right one for you? I got this advice. Go to your local store and see it yourself. Ask around. Ask those who've used one before. Do all the research from the internet but see it yourself before you buy? Once you've decided on the best car seat you can afford. Buy it from a reputable online or offline store.

Types of Car Seat
As your child grow, there are different types of car seat that you'll probably consider. Again, you should always check the weight and height limits of the seat to be sure that you are getting what is right for your child.

Infant Car Seat (Rear Facing)
From Birth to 10 kg [22 lb]
An infant seat offers the best fit and protection for young babies. It is usually used from birth until the baby weighs in at about 22 pounds. It is designed to be in a rear facing position. When placing your child in the seat, make sure the harness is snug. You should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the harness straps at the child's collarbone. The chest clip should be positioned at armpit level. Depending on the growth rate of the baby, it can last from five to thirteen months. Always check and follow the specification of your chosen car seat. Nowadays, some infant car seats also double as carriers. I love this feature as you can get your child out of the car without waking him/her up. You just get the car seat from its base and off you go outside. Also, when the child outgrows the maximum height and weight of his/her infant seat, you may want to look at a convertible car seat (can be rear facing or forward facing). Position it rear-faced and follow the recommendation of the car seat manual. Never place a rear-facing child restraint in a seat equipped with an air bag.

Forward-Facing Car Seat
10 - 18 kg (22 - 40 lb.)
All forward-facing child seats must be anchored to the vehicle frame with a tether strap. Follow your vehicle's manual on the proper set up of the tether strap to prevent the car seat from moving forward and cause injury in a collision. Some car seats are equipped with the UAS (Universal Anchorage System) which makes them easier to install. Again, the harness should be snug, so that only one finger can fit between the harness and the child's collar bones. The chest clip should be positioned at armpit level.

Booster Seat
18 kg (40 lb.) or over
Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing 18 kg or more but less than 36 kg (40-80 lbs) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall. If the mid-point of your child's ears is over the back of the child restraint but he/she is not yet 18 kg, use a combination child seat/booster. A booster seat raises the child to fit the adult seat-belt properly. A booster that uses a lap/shoulder belt provides the best protection for your child. Use a booster until your child is over the manufacturer's upper weight limit or height limit, or the mid-point of the ears is above the top of the high back booster or the vehicle seat. Never use seatbelt adjusters.

Note that I don't claim to be a car seat expert. Always check with your state or provincial regulations as regulations and recommendations can differ from one country to the next. It is always best to check with the manufacturer if you need to clarify anything about the car seat that you plan to buy.