Every parent knows that their child’s safety is at the top of the priority list. That this fact could not be truer when it comes to being on the road in a vehicle. Driving has several dangers related to it, and you can’t tell when or where it will happen. So what do you do for your kid when you drive?
Make sure he or she is comfortable and safe in an appropriate car seat. But what is the perfect pick for your child, with the numerous options available? Would it be a booster seat? Or how about a convertible car seat? What about one of those all-in-ones? Let’s find out.
One Does Not Simply Install A Car Seat
Boromir from The Lord of the Rings has a point – except this time around, we’re not talking about rings and mages. It’s all about children and car seats. But his statement is true. You can’t rush picking and setting a car seat immediately. There is more than one car seat available in the market. You must know what makes them tick. Check them out:
Car Seats for Infants
Currently, two kinds of infant car seats are up for the taking: infant car seats and convertibles. It would be up to you to choose one. An infant car seat can accommodate a child who weighs at least nineteen to twenty-two pounds.
These seats are light, and you won’t have trouble taking them anywhere.
Convertible car seats can outperform infant seats because they can last longer. And another plus for convertibles is that you can make them face forward or rear. The only drawback of convertibles is that they are not portable. Once you set them in the vehicle, that’s it. They remain fixed in place.
Car Seats for Toddlers
You usually use a car seat for a toddler once the child is big enough to graduate to a rear-facing car seat. You can pick two kinds of seats once your kid becomes a toddler: forward-facing seats and combination car seats.
Forward-facing car seats may not be universal, but they can carry kids weighing at least sixty pounds or more. A combination car seat is a little different – it can transform! The seat functions to accommodate children from thirty-nine to sixty-five pounds. But once the child exceeds such weight, you may remove the seat’s harness. Here is where the magic happens. Now you have a booster seat that can have a passenger weighing seventy to a hundred pounds. How cool is that?
Car Seats for Preschoolers
Boosters are the ideal choice for preschoolers. You can use one of these seats once your child graduates from a forward-facing seat with a harness. Booster seats work best for kids aging three to eight years old.
The Tips For Choosing The Right Seat
Selecting the best seat for your child is like any other shopping experience. It might be pleasant to some people. But, it could get nasty and stressful without you even knowing it. So here are our tips to make you breathe a little bit better. That perfect seat is as good as yours.
Car Manuals Will Save Your Life
Start things off by checking out your car’s manual. You can install car seats by using the seat belt or what we call the LATCH system. LATCH stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. Peruse your manual and see if you can find where the seat will best go, depending on if you use the belt or the latch.
Room for Thought
Make sure that there is enough backroom to fit the seat. Car seats with huge base parts will give you a headache if you own a small car. Take our advice and bring a measuring tape once you visit the stores for a car seat.
Convertibles Grow with Your Kids
We aren’t going to lie – growing car seats sound pretty far fetched. But you must never take things too literally. You should choose a convertible that lasts through your kid’s toddler years. Doing so will allow the child to grow and be comfortable with the seat. Meanwhile, you get to save some extra cash on your end.
Old Might Not Always Be Gold
You got that one right. No matter what you do, never settle for second-hand or used car seats. Old and used car seats might have missing parts. They might also have some – or a lot – of damage. Such reality might put your kid in harm’s way, and no good parent wants that to happen. Buy a new one instead. New ones might prove to be costly, but the payment will be worth it.
Cleanliness is a Must
You might fall into temptation and buy a complex seat. But do take note that such a seat will take time to clean or maintain. Maintenance and cleaning consume precious minutes or even hours. Aim for a car seat that is simple and easy to clean. Here’s another tip: don’t go for textured fabric. Just trust us on this one.
Vivid Manuals? Yes, Please
Once again, manuals will impact your car seat endeavors. You might think that the journey is over once you leave the store with your car seat in hand. Wrong. That is only half of the battle.
Setting it up securely and safely is the next part. The best way to achieve this is to purchase a seat with a manual that thoroughly explains – with pictures and diagrams – what you need to do.
Bring in the Big Guns
So, by this moment, you finish installing the seat. It may sound done and all at this point. However, there is still one thing you can do. That would be to get in touch with a professional worker to see how you’ve done with the seat.
An expert will find any flaws or errors in your work with ease. Now don’t take their reactions or criticisms at heart – they only want what’s best for you and your little passenger.
And That’s A Wrap
You made it all the way here. Now that you have the technical know-how of what car seat is best for your child go put it to good use. Don’t be too eager to spend cash on one, and set it up immediately. You don’t have to rush your car seat purchase. Remember that it is your child’s comfort, and safety is what’s at stake here. So, make a plan, take a breath, and start slow. It might get bumpy later, but we are confident that you will manage this as smoothly as pie.
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