Finding the Perfect Baby Car Seat

By M. Lynette DiPalma

A car seat is at the very top of the list when it comes to required baby gear. First time parents often have difficulty sifting through the myriad of car seats that are currently on the market, and comparing so many to find the one that’s just right for you can certainly be a hassle, but this is where online shopping can really be a boon for expectant parents. Instead of driving from store to store and having to compare the small print on the tags and boxes, you can easily navigate multiple websites to find the best car seat for you. Of course there are some important considerations to keep in mind while you shop.

Beyond any fancy safety features is the basic size and shape of the seat. No matter how highly ranked a car seat may be on the safety scale, it’s not going to do you any good at all if it doesn’t fit properly in your car. If you don’t readily know the dimensions of your car, it may be a good idea to take a look at the website for the manufacturer of your car. Often they will give rough estimates of the size and shape of your seats as well as head and foot room dimensions.

Keep in mind that it will matter quite a bit who will be sitting in the seat in front of the car seat as well. If you have a long-legged individual who likes to recline while riding or driving then you’ll want to be sure that the car seat will accommodate their comfort as well. Luckily most websites will list the dimensions of the car seat in the product description, so you’ll know whether it will fit or not.

Once you determine that the seat will fit in your car, the safety features should be your primary focus. Weight limits and positioning are a key consideration. You may want to hold off on buying your first car seat until you have a rough idea of what size the baby will be. Pre-term babies may need special consideration. AngelGuard is a company that makes a special car seat just for premature babies under five pounds.

Many parents choose to buy a convertible infant car seat that can provide a safe trip for babies up to about 20 pounds. These are very convenient since many come with a base that installs in the car and an upper portion that lifts off to easy tote a sleeping baby. Once the baby reaches a certain weight, however, toting them around this way starts to wear on the elbows, and it’s likely time to put them in a car seat that will accommodate them into toddlerhood.

Most states require that you install a rear-facing seat until your child is one year old and 20 pounds. Because of this many seats can be installed either front or rear-facing, but you’ll want to make sure that this is stated explicitly and that the seat you are selecting meets your needs. It is imperative that you check the current laws to see what the child restraint laws are in your state.

Whatever it is that you are looking for in a car seat, be sure that you take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of the internet to help you select the perfect seat. Learn to read the fine print on product descriptions since this is likely where you will find the most valuable information on weight limits, dimensions and other safety features. Also, you can check the Consumer Reports website for safety ratings and any other important information that may be relevant to your search.