are less than 26 inches tall. They are lightweight and fit small infants better than seats designed for children 5-40 pounds and can be used to carry a sleeping baby. While the infant seat may be less expensive, "frills" like a canopy, base or deluxe fabric increase the cost without offering more safety. Advantages: most models have a carrying handle, can be used to rock the baby, attach to strollers and/or shopping carts, and may lift off a base that remains in the car.Disadvantages: you must purchase a bigger seat when the baby reaches approximately 20 pounds or when the baby's head is within one inch of the top of the seat.
- Convertible seats - accommodate children between 5-40 pounds and up
to approximately 40 inches. Convertible seats will have one of these types of harness systems:
- 5-point (two shoulder straps, two hip straps, one crotch strap);
- a tray-shield (or bar attached to the seat); or
- a T-shield.
- Convertible seats are used rear-facing in a reclined angle for infants and then convert to an upright forward-facing direction for older children. Some convertible child car seats allow for rear-facing use (the safest way to ride) until 30-35 pounds-check the label on the seat. Advantages: require purchasing only one seat for a child from birth to approximately 40 pounds/40 inches. Disadvantages: It is not easy to remove the seat from the car and use it to carry a sleeping baby and because the seat is larger it does not fit a newborn infant as well as an infant seat does.
- A 5-point harness offers the most "grow room". It is similar to what racecar drivers and airplane pilots use.
- If selecting a convertible seat for a newborn, choose the 5-point harness. Seats with a tray-shield or T-shield don't fit a small baby's body as well. The shield may end up in front of the baby's face or across the neck. A shield may also pull the harness straps too far away from a small newborn's body.
- Forward-facing seats - are used only in the
forward-facing direction for children who are at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds. Some become a belt-positioning booster seat later when the harness is removed (at 40 pounds). Then the seat is used until 80-100 pounds (depending on make and model) to properly position the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt.
-
-
-
Booster seats - must always be used with a shoulder and lap belt. They are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing child car seat but who are not yet poundsfour feet nine inches tall. Use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible (until your child outgrows it) because a forward-facing seat offers more support and protection than a booster.
- There are two types of booster seats:
those with a high back and those with no back. Consider the design of your vehicle seat when making a selection.
If your child sits in a captain's chair or bench seat with a head restraint then a backless booster may be a good choice. Some no back boosters have a strap or clip that adjusts the shoulder part of the belt properly on the child's shoulder.
If your vehicle seat back is low, select a high-back booster to offer important whiplash protection.
For more information on choosing and using booster seats check out the Booster Seat Website www.booster seat.org