How to Buy the Right Car Seat for Your Newborn

Buying a car seat for your newborn baby is more important than any other part of the baby shopping process. The first thing that you must do is buy your baby’s car seat about 6-7 months into your pregnancy. Regardless of what state you live in they all require that babies, infants and young children be properly harnessed in a vehicle. The best thing to do is start to compare the safety features of the car seats that you are considering to buy, also compare the prices, it’s important to have all of this stuff in order before the baby arrives. Buying a rear facing seat is a good idea as well. Children under 20 pounds and of one year of age should always ride in the backseat of your vehicle in a rear facing seat. Babies and infants have little necks so facing backward would be the safest position if you get into an accident.


Look for car seats that are easy to install, if you don’t install the car seat properly your child may not be restrained properly. Car seats with a five point harness belt are the best because they are safer, they restrain the shoulders, the thighs and the between the legs to prevent injury of your child, they are also much better then the simple plastic chest restraints on the belt. Another thing to consider when shopping for a car seat, is choosing the car seat style that you want. There are all kinds of styles of car seats available on the market today, they range from rear facing infant only car seats to convertible seats for infants and toddlers. Some things to consider when choosing the style of car seat that you want is, do you want a more permanent car seat or do you want an infant carrier? Today there are car seats that are complete travel systems for the car and the stroller and some toddler car seats can turn into booster seats, just choose the style that is right for you. But regardless of what style of car seat you choose still always remember to check the ease of installation of the seat and the safety standards. Prices for these types of car seats can range from $100.00-$500.00.