The Car Seat Decision

The car seat: it is one of the most important things a parent will buy for their new baby, toddler, and child. Yet, there are so many options available that many parents are simply overwhelmed by it all and just choose a seat based on brand name or appearance. This practice is acceptable, as all seats are tested and have to meet certain safety requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) however it may not be the smartest way to choose a seat for your upcoming new baby.

Car seats are used to restrain a child in a vehicle from birth until 40, 65, or 80lbs, depending on the seat. They can be purchased almost anywhere, from your local Wal-Mart to a specialty baby boutique, and can range in price from $40 to over $500. Required by law in every state in the United States, this is the one purchase every parent must make. Hospitals are required to make sure that new parents have a car seat for their infant in their vehicle before discharge. There are many varieties of car seats available, in all price ranges, and even programs to obtain seats at no cost, such as local health departments or the Kyle David Miller Foundation.

Before purchasing that first car seat, parents need to determine their lifestyle, needs, wants, and budget. Since all seats are tested to meet certain requirements, all seats are safe. The fluctuations in prices account for different features, harness weight and height limits, and the brand name and company reputation. A $40 Cosco Scenera is just as safe as a $280 Britax Marathon, however the 65lb harness limit, high harness height limit, additional padding, built-in lockoffs, and ease of installation that comes standard on a Britax Marathon compared to the 40lb limit, low harness height limit, and lack of additional padding of the Cosco Scenera is a factor with the price, along with the reputation and history of Britax as a worldwide company.

A couple's budget should be the first consideration. A standard amount that most expectant couples feel is appropriate is approximately $100 for the car seat. There are many excellent options available in that price range depending on the other factors that are involved in choosing that first seat. However, some couples may feel that even $100 is out of their budget, so they are forced to look at the least expensive options out there. This is acceptable as well; no family should feel that they must buy the most expensive car seat on the market as long as it is used properly.

Lifestyle is also a consideration. If the infant will be riding in many vehicles, needing multiple seats, then the choice of seat may be different from that of a family who only has one vehicle that their baby will ride in. Purchasing 2 or more seats can severely limit the amount spent on each seat, or dictating buying just one more expensive seat for the main vehicle with less expensive alternatives for other vehicles. An active family will want a different seat from a family who spends more time at home. Regional weather should also be considered at this time. If a couple lives where it is very hot, a car seat with a cover that is black and thick, like a velour, may not be a good option.

The couple's wants and needs are also important. Certain features may not be really necessary, like a factory included insert for smaller babies or built-in lockoffs, however a couple may feel that having such features is what they want and/or need for ease of installing and the comfort of the child. The couple's vehicle size is also a big factor in this area. A couple driving a large SUV with only one child will have a different need from a couple with 3 children and a compact car in terms of space. Different seats have different widths, and they fit together differently, eliminating some from consideration in certain circumstances.

One of the most popular decisions for a car seat is the infant seat. It is a rear facing seat that snaps in and out of a base that remains installed in the vehicle, and can be used to carry an infant around when not in the vehicle. These seats are a good option for many families, however there are many differences in each seat. Evenflo states in the instruction manual for their infant seats that the handle must be down and there must be at least 1.5" of space between the infant seat and the back of the vehicle seat that the seat is installed behind. Compass states in their manual that their infant seats must be used with the base at all times in vehicles. The manual for the Britax Companion states that the headrest insert must be used at all times with a baby. Combi states in their manuals that the handle of their infant seats must be in the fully upright position at all times in a vehicle. All of these differences will help determine the best seat for a family.

Many infant seats can be used with or without the base in a vehicle. Also, for additional ease of you, one may purchase additional bases for their infant seat to install in other vehicles that the seat will be used in regularly. This is what makes the infant seat such a popular choice. The versatility of an infant seat for installing is a big perk for many couples, especially those who have both parents working and the child going to daycare. This allows both parents the ability to transport the baby from daycare, and to easily leave a car seat for the provider.

However, for the budget-conscious couple, an infant seat may not be the best choice. Instead, the couple should look at a convertible car seat.

A convertible car seat is one that rear faces for infants and forward faces for older children. These seats have a higher rear facing limit than infant seats, so they last longer in general, and the added bonus of facing forward also gives additional usage. They have varying height and weight limits, different features, and a variety of cover options and prices. Also, convertible seats will fit differently in different vehicles and fit different children different ways, making the decision of which to choose a bit more difficult. Some convertibles also convert to a booster seat, such as the Alpha Omega, however they are generally a bad choice of car seat based on how the seat fits the majority of children. The low top slots of the seat means that most children will outgrow the harness by height before weight, and with the seat having a 40lb minimum to use it as a booster this means that parents will end up having to buy a different seat for between those two times.

Familiarity with how to use the seat properly is also important. When the seat is chosen, the couple should set up an appointment with a CPST who is registered with the SafeKids Coalition to learn how to properly install and use the seat. A good CPST will demonstrate how to install the seat in your vehicle and explain how to use and adjust the harness so that it fits the baby properly, and then observe both parents installing the seat on their own. This is crucial for a first time parent to do, having a professional teach you how to use the seat properly will help to prevent you from being in the 80% of people who use their car seat improperly according to NHTSA statistics.

An additional important detail is to never use any aftermarket products on your car seat. Accessories such as the Bundle Me, head supports not included with the seat, and toy bars can affect the function of the seat by changing the position of the harness and how it goes over your infant, cause potential compression issues that could result in the ejection of your child from the car seat in a crash, and could cause physical injury to the child or other vehicle occupants if the toy comes loose in a crash. These products can void any warranties that are in place on your car seat, and release the manufacturer from all liability if the seat fails in a crash. Also, you should never place anything under the car seat when installing it. A proper install will indent your vehicle seat, and mats and towels under the seat to protect your vehicle seat can result in not getting a properly tight installation.

When installing your car seat, first read the owner's manual. This is common sense, but many parents don't read it at all, except for flipping to the section that shows how to install it. A proper install in the vehicle gives the car seat less than one inch of sideways movement in either direction, with a preference to no movement at all. Using LATCH or a seat belt to install has no effect on the safety; neither is safer than the other unless you can get a better install with one over the other.

When using the seat with your child, remember that the shoulder straps on your harness should come from the slots that are even with or below your child's shoulders when rear facing. This will prevent the child from what is known as "ramping", or movement up the back of the car seat, in a crash. The chest clip should be on the chest, with the top of the slip at armpit height. One of the most common misuses of a car seat is the chest clip being too low. The harness should be "snug as a hug", meaning tight enough that your child can not move around in the seat but not so tight that it leaves painful looking marks on the neck, shoulders, or thighs. To check the tightness of the harness, try to pinch the harness at the child's shoulders. If you can pinch any amount of it then the harness is too loose and needs to be tightened. A harness that is too loose can result in the child being ejected from the seat in a crash.

The bare minimum to forward face is 1 year old and 20lbs. However, some seats have requirements such as 22lbs and 34" tall to forward face in them, be sure to check that owner's manual for specifics. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been recommending since 2002 that children remain rear facing to the upper limits of a convertible car seat instead of the minimum requirements. This is a foreign practice for most parents and pediatricians though; many are unaware of this recommendation and only practice the minimum. A better source for information on car seat safety would be a CPST affiliated with the SafeKids Coalition. If there isn't one in your area, ask the nearest CPST that you find if their registration is current and if you can see their registration certificate. Many police officers and fire department personnel are required to take a short class with information on car seats but they lack the knowledge and information to safely give good suggestions to parents.

When caring for your seat, it is important to remember basic steps. Never put your harness straps in the washing machine or fully immerse it in water. Instead, wiping down the harness with a damp washcloth is all you should do. Too much water can compromise the strength of the straps, weakening them enough that they could break in a crash. Never use harsh cleaners on the plastic shell of your seat. Don't drop your seat from a high distance, or use it if there are any visible cracks or signs of damage. Also, never use a seat after it has been in a crash, and avoid using a car seat that was used by another family if at all possible.

There is a plethora of information available to parents regarding car seats and the safest practice and usage. An expectant parent needs to take the time to research and read all the information available and not just go with what the law says is acceptable. The law usually states just the bare minimum on car seat safety, and many states don't even dictate the minimum recommendations for safety. It is up to parents to do the research and make the best and safest decision for their child. This is not trying to decide whether to buy clothes at Gymboree or an outlet store; this decision can affect your child's very life. This is the one decision that parents need to research extensively, and take the time to learn as much as possible.