baby and jogging strollers home :: infant car seats

Choosing an Infant Car Seat

Parents expecting a new baby have many preparations to make. One of the most important of these is the purchase of an infant car seat. For the first ride baby and jogging strollers home from the hospital, baby should be safety secured in his own car seat. In short what you need is a good baby travel system

There is a huge selection of car seats on the market today. The choices can be confusing but keeping in mind a few basic points will make it easier to buy an infant car seat.

You need an infant car seat that fits in your car and is easy to install. There are various attachment systems so make sure the seat you buy is compatible with your car.

Most recent model cars have a special attachment system called LATCH which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The system has been designed for easy and secure installation without using the car seatbelts. Your infant car seat, however, can be installed either way – with LATCH or with the seatbelts.

Most brands of infant car seat are designed for babies up to 22 lbs. or 26 in. in height. They should support the babies head, back and neck and provide adequate padding for both safety and comfort.

Every infant car seat needs to be installed in the rear seat facing towards the back window. This rear facing position offers the greatest protection in the event of a collision.

The infant car seat will have a harness system to safety secure your baby in the seat. There are two types of harness systems -- the five-point harness system and the three-point harness system. The three-point system secures your baby shoulders and between the legs, while the five-point system secures your baby at the shoulders, the hips and between the legs.

Convenient features to look for when buying an infant car seat include a detachable base. This allows you to quickly separate the base from the seat so that you can carry the seat from the car to the house. This is a very handy feature and a great timesaver.

If the infant car seat has a detachable base it will most likely also have carrying handles which are necessary for moving the seat. Another nice feature is an awning that can help keep the sun out of baby's eyes.

Try to find as much information as you can before buying your infant car seat. That way you can make the best choice for you and your baby.

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