Safety First When it Comes to a Baby Car Seat
Every parent’s ultimate concern is baby safety. The most important part of that plan is to choose the best seat for the particular car. Keep these tips in mind when looking for the ideal design.
The first things you need to look at are weight and age. Infants under age one should be provided with a safety seat specifically tailored to their size. It still needs to be facing the rear, and shouldn’t be used with an older baby.
Those older than one but less than four will weigh on average between 20-40 lbs. Of course, they’re also taller than small babies, and they keep increasing in height as they get older. This introduces the possibility for a car seat that faces forward, making things more convenient for the parents. However, it still needs to be placed in the back seat.
The good news is that you don’t have to give up convenience to achieve these goals. Many models are convertible. This means that they can be switched from facing backward to facing forward with just a few moves. Still, keep in mind the correct age and weight characteristics.
It’s essential that the car seat you use meets some minimum standards. A 5-point harness attachment design is key. This allows parents to use the car’s safety restraining belt to attach the car seat at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. That provides a very stable, secure platform.
An overhead shield is also a useful option. These padded covers circle down and around the infant. A variation is the T-shield, a padded T-shaped section that attaches to the shoulder straps.
Choose a style that has a tether on top that attaches to a properly installed anchor in the car. This provides additional safety. LATCH is a system featured in some models, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. Therefore, there’s no need to use the safety belts in the car which are really intended for adults and older children. Instead, the safety seat is fastened only to the anchors.
Extra safety and comfort is provided by baby car safety seats that safely allow for adding or subtracting padding or blankets. As well, parents don’t have to spend as much time making adjustments to the seat for a good fit. That’s a win-win situation for both. There are even those with an integrated travel vest to buckle around your child.
The twin concerns of convenience and safety are once again addressed by models that simplify the process of inserting and adjusting the restraining belts. Parents are busy people and it’s all too easy to take an occasional shortcut. However, nobody wishes to skimp on safety. A model that needs just a few seconds to put in or move is the answer to all of those issues.
