The lowdown on convertible car seats
You have a choice of two types of car seat for your baby: an
infant car seat or a convertible car seat.
A
convertible seat converts from a rear-facing seat for babies and
toddlers to a forward-facing seat. It carries children from birth to
somewhere between 40 and 80 pounds and up to 50 inches tall, depending
on the seat.
Another type of convertible seat known as a 3-in-1 or
all-in-one car seat can change from rear-facing to forward-facing, then
into a
booster seat
for children up to 100 pounds. (Note: Some "3-in-1" car seats are not
for babies. They're forward-facing only, and convert from car seat for
older toddlers to high-back booster to backless booster.)
It's
cheaper to buy a convertible car seat for a newborn instead of starting
with an infant car seat and then transitioning to a convertible. But
experts say young babies are safer in an infant car seat. Many parents
say their newborn seems to be swimming in a convertible seat, and they
have to use head rests, towels, or other cushioning to prop him safely
in place until he grows into the seat.
A convertible car seat is
also less convenient for you at first: Convertible seats are heavy. And
unlike infant car seats, they have to be installed in the car rather
than clicked into a base that's installed in the car – so you can't
easily take them in and out of the car, carry your baby in them, or snap
them into a stroller.
What to look for when buying
Ease of use:
Look for the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's
five-star rating system: The more stars a car seat has, the easier it is
to use. The NHTSA ratings take into account how easy it is to install
the seat in your car and secure your child in it, as well as the content
and clarity of the instruction manual.
A five-point safety harness:
The straps – one for each shoulder, one for each thigh, and one between
your baby's legs – are more adjustable (and thus safer) than older
designs.
Easy adjustments:
You'll need to adjust the harness as your child grows, so avoid seats
that make this complicated. Better car seats allow you to adjust the
straps and harness height easily from the front. A few models even have
one-hand belt adjustments with quick-release buckles.
LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children): Since
2002, all car seats and vehicles have been compatible with the LATCH
system. LATCH allows you to attach the car seat directly to your vehicle
instead of using the seat belt to secure it. This can make installation
safer and easier. Convertible car seats are equipped with top tether
and bottom straps, but the manufacturer may recommend
not using the top tether strap in the rear-facing position. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Easy cleaning:
Kids and messes go hand in hand, but a surprising number of car seats
come with covers you can't take off. A detachable, machine-washable
cover makes cleanup much easier.
Comfort: A well-padded seat with plenty of head support gives your baby a better ride.
Side-impact protection:
Some car seats have special energy-absorbing foam and other features
designed to better protect your baby's head and chest in a side-impact
accident.
Important safety notes
How to install
You
might think that anyone who can read an instruction manual and follow
directions can install a car seat correctly. In reality, it's not so
easy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), 3 out of 4 car seats are improperly installed.
For
safety's sake, have your car seat and its installation checked by a
professional. To arrange an inspection in your area, use the National
Highway Safety Transportation Administration's
car seat inspection station locator.
For advice on avoiding the most common car seat installation mistakes, see our article on
installing a car seat. You can also talk to parents in our
Car Safety groups.
Where to install
Car
seats must be installed in the backseat. For babies and toddlers under
age 2, install the car seat facing the rear of the car. Experts say it's
safest to keep your child
rear-facing as long as possible,
at least until your child is 2 years old or reaches the maximum
rear-facing height and weight limit for your car seat. (Most newer
convertible seats can handle kids up to 40 pounds or so in a rear-facing
position.)
Secondhand seats
We don't recommend buying
used car seats.
Secondhand seats could be missing important parts, have been involved
in an accident (even unseen damage can affect the way a seat functions),
fall short of current safety standards, or have been recalled due to
faulty design. Moreover, plastic gets brittle as it gets older, so a
seat that's too old could break in a crash.
If you use a
secondhand seat, make sure it has never been in an accident, is less
than five years old, and comes with all parts and instructions
.
Resources http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-an-infant-car-seat_5754.bc?page=1
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The weight, not the age, of your child is the more important factor when changing groups
