How to Pick a Car Seat That Suits Your Child and Car?
Motor vehicle collisions continue to be a significant global safety issue. Babies and young children are disproportionately affected by car accidents and continue to suffer high rates of injuries, mortality, and morbidity. However, proper implementation and usage of car seats have been found to reduce the risk and security of damages significantly. But parents are faced with a range of options when choosing a car seat. If you are an expectant parent and are facing a great deal of confusion about how to pick a car seat, check out our “best lightweight car seat” to find the most budget-friendly, high-quality car seat for your baby.
How to Select the Appropriate Car Seat for Your Child and When to Upgrade
Using a car seat is our ultimate resort to safety. Using a child car seat or approved restrain system allows both adults and children to travel safely and as per the law. There are a few factors to take into account while selecting the appropriate car seat for your child and knowing when to upgrade the seat. They are:
Weight and Height
The weight and height of your child, while choosing a car seat, take precedence over all other factors. The car seat must be adapted to your child’s weight and height because this provides the greatest level of safety.
Your child’s height also determines how long they can use a particular car seat, and when they can be allowed to you use an adult seat belt. For instance, if a child is taller than 135cm, the baby can use the car seat belt instead of using a child’s car seat. However, you also need to keep in mind your child’s body proportion is adaptable and appropriate for not using a car safety seat.
Age
There are different categories of car seats that babies use according to their age. For example, there are rear-facing car seats for infants until the baby is 5 years old. These car seats are said to prevent 80% of injuries. Forward-facing car seats are to be used for children aged 1 year to 5 years old and they are said to prevent 50% of injuries. It is wise to use a booster seat until the baby is 10 to 12 years old as they prevent 20% of the injuries, and safety seat belts for children from 10 years old and above, as they prevent 50% of the injuries.
What to Know Before You Buy
Of the many things you will buy for your child, a car seat is one of your most important things. Safety experts suggest expectant parents buy a car seat before your 3 weeks before their due date because as a parent, you will need one from the moment you take your baby home from the hospital or the birth center until your baby grows enough to fit into an adult sick belt which is typically around the age of 10 or later.
Worryingly, 46% of child seeds are installed incorrectly which results in vulnerability during a crash. All car seats are required to meet federal safety standards and are extensively tested before being launched in the market. Use our guide below to find out the right and most appropriate car seat for your child and your vehicle.
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Choose a Car Seat that is Appropriate for Your Vehicle
Not every car seat fits into every car. Try fitting the seat in your vehicle before you make the purchase and secure your child in the seat well with the hardness and the buckle. This ensures the seat is appropriate for your child’s size and your vehicle’s model.
- Thoroughly Check the Design of the Car Seat
Some car seats install better and easier with the seatbelt than the latch system, while others work with the latch system better. On top, some car seats work better when there installed on the side than in the middle passenger seat. Again, it is better to install your car seat for a test drive at the shop before purchasing it to avoid confusion later.
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Know How to Use and Install Your Car Seat
Car seats come with instruction manuals that have detailed descriptions of how to use and install the car seat. You can check out the instruction manual or look up the manufacturer’s website if you have any questions or concerns but you should ensure the perfect and proper installation of your car seat.
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Remember to Check the Weight Limit for the Latch System
You can secure your car seat with the latch system of your vehicle, but a lot of parents use the vehicle seat belt and the tether. Find out which works best for you and your vehicle; you may use the vehicle user guide and car seat instruction manual to help you more and determine the best option for your child.
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Have Your Car Seat Inspected
If you are unsure whether you have installed your car seat correctly or not you can have certified technicians help you. You can have your car seat inspector ensure everything is good to go.
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Replace Your Car Seat after an Accident and Past Its Expiration Date
The car seat is not safe it has encountered any accident before. You can check with your car insurance company to determine whether you need a new seat or you can carry on with the current one. However, car seats are typically manufactured to survive one crash only and must be placed after being in an accident. The same goes for going past its expiration date. It is best to upgrade to a new better car seat as soon as it expires.
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Keep Track of Your Child’s Height, Weight, and Age
These factors will determine the size and the time to upgrade to a new and bigger car seat.
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Shop Smart
A lot of companies and retailers let you install a car seat. This helps you to find out if it is compatible with your car and your baby in the store, which works like a great advantage and allows you to immediately troubleshoot any issue you may face with the installation process.
The DONTS of Using a Car Seat
- Do not use a car seat that is past its expiration date. The mechanism of the car seat starts degrading and ultimately functions very poorly after its expiration date. It may not be strong enough to support your child safely past its expiration date.
- Do not use a second-hand car seat. Not knowing the history of your car seat can temper your child’s safety. Car seats are usually designed to survive one crash only. Even if the car seat seems perfect to the naked eye, there is no way to be absolutely sure of what the car seat has been through. Moreover, car seats are usually designed to survive one crash only.
- Do not use a recalled car seat. To be safe, complete the registration card that comes with the newly purchased car seat. The manufacturer will contact you if the seat is recalled.
How Do I Ensure My Car Seat Will Fit Into My Car?
There are a few points that you have to ensure while choosing a car seat. These are:
- The anchor points
- The door armrest
- The angle of the window
Space becomes a problem when you are trying to squeeze a car seat into a car. The smaller the car and the tighter the car seat fits into the car, the harder it will be to get your child into and out of the car.
You can find small car seats but it might be challenging to find the right combinations. The best option is always to go to the store with your car and car out the seat before confirming your purchase.
How Long Does My Child Need to Use the Car Seat?
Safety experts suggest that a child should give using a car seat until the baby is 12 years old. However, it also depends on your child’s growth and your residing state.
Experts recommend that a child is to pass the following test to use an adult seat belt instead of a car seat. Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your baby is ready to move on to an adult seat belt.
Can your child set up straight against the seat back and hold their position for the whole trip?
Can they comfortably bend their knees over the front edge of the sit question and does the shoulder belt placed across the mid-shoulder?
If the answer is YES, given the baby surpasses all the other given prerequisites such as age, weight, and height, then your baby is ready to move to an adult seat belt.
FAQ
What are the main criteria for choosing a child car seat?
Weight and height are the two most important factors for choosing a child car seat.
Which seat is safest for a car seat?
The back seat is the safest car seat.
Should I buy a seat for 1-year-old?
Yes, infant car seats are specifically made for newborns.
Few Last Words
Choosing the correct car seat can be a daunting task. Allow us to make your life easier by presenting to you our own list of the best lightweight car seat, along with the guidelines to choose the perfect car seat for your child.
Frank Matthew is an accomplished professional with a background in pediatrics, research, and writing. He began his career as a pediatrician and gained invaluable experience in caring for children, managing illnesses, and ensuring their overall wellbeing. After several years of practicing medicine, Frank shifted his focus to research and investigation in the fields of baby products, child safety, and child development. His passion for improving the lives of children through knowledge and understanding of these critical areas led him to become a leading expert in the field.
Today, Frank is a full-time author and blogger of the website Babyfifi.com, where he shares his expertise and insights with parents, caregivers, and professionals around the world. His extensive knowledge, combined with his exceptional writing skills, make him a sought-after resource for anyone seeking information on child development, parenting, and child safety. Frank’s dedication to improving the lives of children and their families is evident in everything he does, and his contributions to the field of pediatrics continue to make a significant impact.