One of the most important decisions we make as a parent is the car seat that we choose. Should you ever be involved in a car accident, having the right car seat and using it properly will make a huge difference for your child and for you. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a car seat for your infant and growing child.
Infant seat are different than regular car seats. Infant seats are made to be rear facing and most of them will have a base and the seat so you can easily detach the seat to carry the infant with you or place them in a stroller system. You can choose an infant seat without a base which could be somewhat safer in a crash as there is no additional piece between the seat and the vehicle.
Look for a seat with a 5 point harness. It is usually best for infants and small children as it will buckle across the chest and their hips, securing them better than ones that just secure them across the chest.
If you are looking at a stroller system, many seats are compatible with strollers so you can choose a particular seat and then a different stroller in case you do not find a stroller system that you like together as a set. Also as your child grows, make sure that the car seat to be used after the child outgrows the infant seat will work with the stroller, etc.
Check the padding and comfort of the seat. Some infant seats come with the head rest and some do not. Make sure you have room to add one if necessary. Check to see how comfortable the seat is to carry distances if necessary.
Finally make sure you practice multiple times of how to secure your child into the seat properly and also how to secure the seat into your car properly. Not securing your child properly can result in greater injury should an accident occur.