Of everything you'll replace on your child, a great car seat is just about the most important. You'll need a child car seat from the moment you are taking baby home through the hospital until he / she grows up enough to match into adult seat belts, typically about the age of 8 or later. What's scary is the fact nearly 80 % of child seats are installed incorrectly, plus a poorly installed seat leaves a kid vulnerable in a very crash.
All child seats have to meet federal safety standards within a 30 mph crash test. We've been testing seats more than 30 years, therefore we go further—having a simulated 35 mph crash that better represents current vehicle environments. We also test for ease-of-use (how simple it is with the average person to adhere to instructions or manage buckles and straps) and fit-to-vehicle (how well your child seat matches five different vehicles with challenging interiors). So, the higher a seat does in this tests, the greater your chances of received it right. And, certainly, the safest car seats is one that's installed correctly and securely whenever, and fits your kids properly.
Throwing money as of this problem doesn't invariably mean that you're going to get the best-performing seat. Many mid-priced models serve as well as or greater than pricier ones. Whatever the cost, a clear seat should just not help your car. This is why we can't help but recommend planning ahead. Use our help guide figure out the correct seat for the kid and car, and also to determine when you will need to move your son or daughter to the next one.
Choose the Right Model
As your son or daughter grows, you'll want to transition from one child car seat to another. We explain various types that may help you zero in around the right one for ones needs. For more information on which cars perform most optimally with child seats, understand the Driving With Kids elements of our vehicle Road Test reports
Infant Car Seat
This would be the first seat for the majority of new parents. It can simply be installed rear-facing, and it has a convenient, removable carrier that connects into a base positioned in the car.
This affords the best fit for newborns and smaller babies, and may be used for youngsters from 4 lbs. to 40, depending around the model. Note that kids will likely get too tall ahead of too heavy of those seats. A child is simply too tall if your crown of his head is a lot less than one inch from your top with the carrier shell, or they exceed the height limits from the seat. Price range: $80 to $500.
Convertible Seat
This is liable the next step after outgrowing a newborn seat, being purchased no later than a kid's first birthday. It is usually installed rear- or forward-facing.
The harness technique is similar to those who work in infant seats, but the have a higher rear-facing weight limit. This means kids can ride rear-facing longer, which both Consumer Reports along with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend as being the safest option.
It has to be installed rear-facing for youngsters younger than 1 and weighing lower than 20 lbs. These seats can be taken rear-facing nearly 40-50 lbs., depending around the seat, so we recommend rear-facing until a minimum of age 2, or perhaps the rear-facing limits from the seat. In some states, children under 2 must ride that way (CA, NJ, OK, PA). When your kids is ready, the seat is usually turned around and used forward-facing until time for just a booster seat.
They is usually installed forward-facing for kids at the least 1 year old, although Consumer Reports recommends waiting until at the least age 2. Many is capable of holding children as heavy as 65 lbs. Although the minimum weight limit enables newborns and smaller infants, such type of seat often doesn't give the best fit for smaller babies or perhaps the convenience of a detachable carrier. Price range: $40 to 450.
Booster Seat
When your kids outgrows the burden and height limit for any forward-facing seat's harness, it's time for the booster that utilizes a car's own seat belt.
Boosters raise a young child up in the automobile so that the seat belt fits correctly—over the sternum along with the center on the collarbone (not the neck) and low throughout the upper thighs (instead of the abdomen). They come in two main styles, high-back and backless.
Backless versions are usually portable as well as simple to install, but we recommend high-back models, which better position the shoulder belt and gives some side impact protection.
Many states have booster laws, several of which require children as old as nine and since heavy as 80 lbs. to utilize a booster. Price range: $13 to $300.
All-In-One Car Seats
The provide great value by taking a youngster from birth to booster. They're a tempting money-saver, but our tests have realized that by seeking to do a lot of they don't inflict single task everything well.
This style of seat accommodates children from 5 to 45 lbs. sitting rear-facing; kids from 20 to 65 lbs. forward-facing in a very harness; and youngsters from 30 to 120 lbs. in booster mode.
All-in-one baby carseats are often large and high, lack the capability of a detachable carrier, and will not fit smaller babies (or smaller vehicles) well. They could be a fantastic backup seat or for just a caregiver who transports a youngster less often. Price range: $100 to $330.
Toddler Booster
These can simply be used by children whorrrre at the appropriate weight, age, and height limits to sit down facing forward.
Designed to get forward-facing only, these use a harness (to use up to a clear height/weight), and transition with a booster (taking out the harness). For children weighing between 20 and 90 lbs. harnessed, and 30 to 120 lbs. in booster mode.
They certainly are a less expensive replacement for convertible seats (if your little one meets the forward-facing age and weight requirements), and provide a safe choice for an older child not even ready for just a booster or maybe a transition seat. Price range: $55 to $295.
Interactive Video Buying Guide
For more, watch our interactive video below. You can skip to be able to chapters on infant seats, convertibles, boosters, along with other must-know topics about baby carseats.
Terms to Learn
Here's a fast look in the most common features for the different seat types. When installing, be sure to adhere to the vehicle owner's manual and seat instructions, and consider getting your installation checked by the Child Passenger Safety Technician at a child car seat checkup event
LATCH Connectors
A harnessed child seat is going to be equipped with either push-on, hook-style, or rigid lower anchor LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) connectors. These affix to the lower anchors baked into the crease on the vehicle seat. All cars built after 2002 have these LATCH anchors. They use a weight limit, so if the combined weight of your kids and child car seat exceeds 65 lbs., install the seat while using the vehicle's own seat belt.
Top Tether Strap
Forward-facing harness seats incorporate a top tether strap that anchors on the vehicle seat and keeps the shell of the kid seat secure, significantly reducing likelihood of head injuries. We recommend you secure the highest tether for everyone forward-facing installations.
Harness System
All infant, convertible, all-in-one, and toddler booster seats use a built-in adjustable harness system. As your kids grows, you will need to continually adjust their harness to ensure straps are situated correctly. In rear-facing seats, harness straps ought to be at or below the youngsters shoulders. In forward-facing seats, straps needs to be at or over the shoulders. Many harnesses are adjusted by rethreading the straps through slots within the fabric and seat shell, even though offer an easier, external harness adjustment option. In all cases, tummy clip really should be at armpit level. The harness is tight enough if you can't pinch any strap fabric at a child's shoulders.
Recline Indicator
If a seat may be installed rear-facing, a recline indicator informs you if it's with the correct angle. (We find ball or bubble indicators better to read over a simple level line.) Some seats have recline ranges for several ages—babies get started more reclined to stop obstructing their breathing, then have more upright the older they get, allowing more room for front seat passengers.
Accessories
Many seats have covers/pads/cushions that can help with fit and provides a more comfy ride. Only use accessories that happen to be approved for the particular carseat by the carseat manufacturer.
What to Know Before You Buy
• Know your little one: Get used to keeping track of your youngster's height and weight (obviously, new parents won't have this info yet!), which, in conjunction with age, can determine seat size and when then it's time to move up to another level. Any behavioral or medical issues will also affect your option.
• Know your stores: Some retailers enables you to test-install a seat in your car, that's great, since we've learned that cushion angle or seat belt placement can easily make a car and child seat incompatible. Also a must: local store that accepts returns. Large department shops like Babies ‘R Us, Walmart, and Target present you with a limited selection in stores having a wider selection online. Online retailers for example Albee Baby , Buy Buy Baby , and Amazon produce an even larger choice of seat brands and models. Many retailers offer free freight on child seats. Make online purchases only once you have seen the models in the real world. You can find higher-end models at specialty stores or boutiques.
If it's Not Your First Seat...
Even seasoned parents might be fuzzy within the right seat type so when it's time for just a change. Check out our recommendations for that minimum variety of seats your kids will need before they can be ready for the vehicle seat belt on it's own.
Does Your Kid Still Need a Boost?
A child can graduate from your booster seat once you can answer yes to every one of these questions:
• Does your kids sit completely back against the automobile seat?
• Do his knees bend comfortably in the edge from the vehicle seat?
• Does the automobile belt cross his shoulder evenly between your neck and arm?
• Is the lap belt as low within the abdomen as is possible, near the the top of thighs?
5 Ways to Make Sure Your Child is Safe
Studies conducted by NHTSA and inside the field indicate that child car seat, booster seat, and seat belt misuse rates consist of 74 to 90 percent. You read that right, most child seats will not be installed correctly. Here's the way to do it properly:
Right seat: Check the seat's height and weight limits (see our timeline above). Age can be an important factor as it really is reflective of your youngster's skeletal development.
Seat tight: Once installed, the seat shouldn't move more than 1 " side-to-side or front-to-back. Don't get discouraged—this is usually tricky.
Harness height: In rear-facing installation, the harness straps have or below the newborn's shoulders. For forward-facing, harness straps ought to be at or higher a tot's shoulders. The chest clip ought to always be at armpit level.
Harness tight: If your kids is secured properly, avoid being able to pinch any fabric within the straps at your child's shoulders.
Final Check: Recline right and tether tight. Check the recline angle for rear-facing seats (most have an indication) to stop allowing your child's go to fall forward and obstruct breathing.
More to Know About Car Seats
Shopping links are supplied by eBay Commerce Network and Amazon, rendering it easy to find the appropriate product at a variety of trusted online retailers. Clicking any in the links will need you on the retailer's how does someone shop for this supplement. Please note that Consumer Reports collects fees from both eBay Commerce Network and Amazon for referring users. We use 100% of such fees to invest in our testing programs.
All child seats have to meet federal safety standards within a 30 mph crash test. We've been testing seats more than 30 years, therefore we go further—having a simulated 35 mph crash that better represents current vehicle environments. We also test for ease-of-use (how simple it is with the average person to adhere to instructions or manage buckles and straps) and fit-to-vehicle (how well your child seat matches five different vehicles with challenging interiors). So, the higher a seat does in this tests, the greater your chances of received it right. And, certainly, the safest car seats is one that's installed correctly and securely whenever, and fits your kids properly.
Throwing money as of this problem doesn't invariably mean that you're going to get the best-performing seat. Many mid-priced models serve as well as or greater than pricier ones. Whatever the cost, a clear seat should just not help your car. This is why we can't help but recommend planning ahead. Use our help guide figure out the correct seat for the kid and car, and also to determine when you will need to move your son or daughter to the next one.
Choose the Right Model
As your son or daughter grows, you'll want to transition from one child car seat to another. We explain various types that may help you zero in around the right one for ones needs. For more information on which cars perform most optimally with child seats, understand the Driving With Kids elements of our vehicle Road Test reports
Infant Car Seat
This would be the first seat for the majority of new parents. It can simply be installed rear-facing, and it has a convenient, removable carrier that connects into a base positioned in the car.
This affords the best fit for newborns and smaller babies, and may be used for youngsters from 4 lbs. to 40, depending around the model. Note that kids will likely get too tall ahead of too heavy of those seats. A child is simply too tall if your crown of his head is a lot less than one inch from your top with the carrier shell, or they exceed the height limits from the seat. Price range: $80 to $500.
Convertible Seat
This is liable the next step after outgrowing a newborn seat, being purchased no later than a kid's first birthday. It is usually installed rear- or forward-facing.
The harness technique is similar to those who work in infant seats, but the have a higher rear-facing weight limit. This means kids can ride rear-facing longer, which both Consumer Reports along with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend as being the safest option.
It has to be installed rear-facing for youngsters younger than 1 and weighing lower than 20 lbs. These seats can be taken rear-facing nearly 40-50 lbs., depending around the seat, so we recommend rear-facing until a minimum of age 2, or perhaps the rear-facing limits from the seat. In some states, children under 2 must ride that way (CA, NJ, OK, PA). When your kids is ready, the seat is usually turned around and used forward-facing until time for just a booster seat.
They is usually installed forward-facing for kids at the least 1 year old, although Consumer Reports recommends waiting until at the least age 2. Many is capable of holding children as heavy as 65 lbs. Although the minimum weight limit enables newborns and smaller infants, such type of seat often doesn't give the best fit for smaller babies or perhaps the convenience of a detachable carrier. Price range: $40 to 450.
Booster Seat
When your kids outgrows the burden and height limit for any forward-facing seat's harness, it's time for the booster that utilizes a car's own seat belt.
Boosters raise a young child up in the automobile so that the seat belt fits correctly—over the sternum along with the center on the collarbone (not the neck) and low throughout the upper thighs (instead of the abdomen). They come in two main styles, high-back and backless.
Backless versions are usually portable as well as simple to install, but we recommend high-back models, which better position the shoulder belt and gives some side impact protection.
Many states have booster laws, several of which require children as old as nine and since heavy as 80 lbs. to utilize a booster. Price range: $13 to $300.
All-In-One Car Seats
The provide great value by taking a youngster from birth to booster. They're a tempting money-saver, but our tests have realized that by seeking to do a lot of they don't inflict single task everything well.
This style of seat accommodates children from 5 to 45 lbs. sitting rear-facing; kids from 20 to 65 lbs. forward-facing in a very harness; and youngsters from 30 to 120 lbs. in booster mode.
All-in-one baby carseats are often large and high, lack the capability of a detachable carrier, and will not fit smaller babies (or smaller vehicles) well. They could be a fantastic backup seat or for just a caregiver who transports a youngster less often. Price range: $100 to $330.
Toddler Booster
These can simply be used by children whorrrre at the appropriate weight, age, and height limits to sit down facing forward.
Designed to get forward-facing only, these use a harness (to use up to a clear height/weight), and transition with a booster (taking out the harness). For children weighing between 20 and 90 lbs. harnessed, and 30 to 120 lbs. in booster mode.
They certainly are a less expensive replacement for convertible seats (if your little one meets the forward-facing age and weight requirements), and provide a safe choice for an older child not even ready for just a booster or maybe a transition seat. Price range: $55 to $295.
Interactive Video Buying Guide
For more, watch our interactive video below. You can skip to be able to chapters on infant seats, convertibles, boosters, along with other must-know topics about baby carseats.
Terms to Learn
Here's a fast look in the most common features for the different seat types. When installing, be sure to adhere to the vehicle owner's manual and seat instructions, and consider getting your installation checked by the Child Passenger Safety Technician at a child car seat checkup event
LATCH Connectors
A harnessed child seat is going to be equipped with either push-on, hook-style, or rigid lower anchor LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) connectors. These affix to the lower anchors baked into the crease on the vehicle seat. All cars built after 2002 have these LATCH anchors. They use a weight limit, so if the combined weight of your kids and child car seat exceeds 65 lbs., install the seat while using the vehicle's own seat belt.
Top Tether Strap
Forward-facing harness seats incorporate a top tether strap that anchors on the vehicle seat and keeps the shell of the kid seat secure, significantly reducing likelihood of head injuries. We recommend you secure the highest tether for everyone forward-facing installations.
Harness System
All infant, convertible, all-in-one, and toddler booster seats use a built-in adjustable harness system. As your kids grows, you will need to continually adjust their harness to ensure straps are situated correctly. In rear-facing seats, harness straps ought to be at or below the youngsters shoulders. In forward-facing seats, straps needs to be at or over the shoulders. Many harnesses are adjusted by rethreading the straps through slots within the fabric and seat shell, even though offer an easier, external harness adjustment option. In all cases, tummy clip really should be at armpit level. The harness is tight enough if you can't pinch any strap fabric at a child's shoulders.
Recline Indicator
If a seat may be installed rear-facing, a recline indicator informs you if it's with the correct angle. (We find ball or bubble indicators better to read over a simple level line.) Some seats have recline ranges for several ages—babies get started more reclined to stop obstructing their breathing, then have more upright the older they get, allowing more room for front seat passengers.
Accessories
Many seats have covers/pads/cushions that can help with fit and provides a more comfy ride. Only use accessories that happen to be approved for the particular carseat by the carseat manufacturer.
What to Know Before You Buy
• Know your little one: Get used to keeping track of your youngster's height and weight (obviously, new parents won't have this info yet!), which, in conjunction with age, can determine seat size and when then it's time to move up to another level. Any behavioral or medical issues will also affect your option.
• Know your stores: Some retailers enables you to test-install a seat in your car, that's great, since we've learned that cushion angle or seat belt placement can easily make a car and child seat incompatible. Also a must: local store that accepts returns. Large department shops like Babies ‘R Us, Walmart, and Target present you with a limited selection in stores having a wider selection online. Online retailers for example Albee Baby , Buy Buy Baby , and Amazon produce an even larger choice of seat brands and models. Many retailers offer free freight on child seats. Make online purchases only once you have seen the models in the real world. You can find higher-end models at specialty stores or boutiques.
If it's Not Your First Seat...
Even seasoned parents might be fuzzy within the right seat type so when it's time for just a change. Check out our recommendations for that minimum variety of seats your kids will need before they can be ready for the vehicle seat belt on it's own.
- • Keep your baby rear-facing until at the very least 2 years.
- • Until your kids outgrows the harness height/weight limits, stick which has a forward-facing harness.
- • Your child requires a booster seat until they are 57 inches tall, between eight to twelve years old, and fits your vehicle belts correctly.
- • You should replace a seat that's damaged in any respect or that is in an accident.
- • Even after your little one is ready to use just the auto belt alone, he should ride inside back seat until age 13.
- • Seats that contain not been in a very crash may be re-used, nevertheless they do expire. Some possess a literal, printed date—usually within the manufacturer's label or molded into your seat, which always carries a production date. Others will expire within a certain volume of years, so it's around you to check your child seat manual and perform the math.
Does Your Kid Still Need a Boost?
A child can graduate from your booster seat once you can answer yes to every one of these questions:
• Does your kids sit completely back against the automobile seat?
• Do his knees bend comfortably in the edge from the vehicle seat?
• Does the automobile belt cross his shoulder evenly between your neck and arm?
• Is the lap belt as low within the abdomen as is possible, near the the top of thighs?
5 Ways to Make Sure Your Child is Safe
Studies conducted by NHTSA and inside the field indicate that child car seat, booster seat, and seat belt misuse rates consist of 74 to 90 percent. You read that right, most child seats will not be installed correctly. Here's the way to do it properly:
Right seat: Check the seat's height and weight limits (see our timeline above). Age can be an important factor as it really is reflective of your youngster's skeletal development.
Seat tight: Once installed, the seat shouldn't move more than 1 " side-to-side or front-to-back. Don't get discouraged—this is usually tricky.
Harness height: In rear-facing installation, the harness straps have or below the newborn's shoulders. For forward-facing, harness straps ought to be at or higher a tot's shoulders. The chest clip ought to always be at armpit level.
Harness tight: If your kids is secured properly, avoid being able to pinch any fabric within the straps at your child's shoulders.
Final Check: Recline right and tether tight. Check the recline angle for rear-facing seats (most have an indication) to stop allowing your child's go to fall forward and obstruct breathing.
More to Know About Car Seats
Shopping links are supplied by eBay Commerce Network and Amazon, rendering it easy to find the appropriate product at a variety of trusted online retailers. Clicking any in the links will need you on the retailer's how does someone shop for this supplement. Please note that Consumer Reports collects fees from both eBay Commerce Network and Amazon for referring users. We use 100% of such fees to invest in our testing programs.