| The biggest obstacle most parents, or parents to be, | | | | infants. In fact, many experts suggest that parents |
| will run up against when deciding on a car seat is the | | | | place their children in rear-facing car seats for as long |
| fact that there are so many different ones to choose | | | | as possible, only switching them to forward facing car |
| from. Car seats are sold by a wide range of | | | | seats once their children fully outgrow the weight |
| manufactures and within many different price ranges. | | | | limitations of the seat, or their head rests higher than |
| The variety of choice is so great it can leave parents | | | | the top of it. |
| mind numbingly lost and unable to make a decision. | | | | Forward-facing Car Seat |
| However, by breaking the problem down and | | | | This type of car seat is for children who fit into the |
| simplifying it, the purchase of a car seat becomes a | | | | rest of the groups mentioned above, and which vary |
| task that is not as difficult as it may seem when you | | | | amongst size, height and weight of children. Generally, |
| walk into a store and stand on an aisle that appears to | | | | children in these categories weigh between 20 to 40 |
| have an infinite amount of choices. | | | | pounds (generally children ages 9 months to 4 years |
| Clearing up the Confusion | | | | old). |
| Child car seats are divided into categories, or stages, | | | | Similar to rear-facing seats, this type of seat can be |
| as most manufacturers refer to them. The stages are | | | | placed in either the front or back seat of a vehicle; |
| as follows: | | | | however, again, placing the seat in the back is best, |
| Stage 1: Groups 0 & 0+ | | | | especially if you have a passenger side airbag. |
| Stage 2: Group 1 | | | | Children vary in all sizes and weights during this age |
| Stage 3: Group 2 | | | | period, which is why parents may need to purchase a |
| Stage 4: Group 3 | | | | booster cushion or booster seat, and maybe even a |
| Be aware when you are shopping that some car | | | | harness to create a better fit for their child in the seat. |
| seats can be converted to keep pace with your child | | | | If this happens to be the case, then it is important |
| as he/she grows, so you may see some seats with | | | | parents make sure they properly fasten and adjust |
| packaging that specifies the seat fits within all of the | | | | the child's seatbelt. If a parent is unsure, there are |
| stages or groups. | | | | many police stations whose officers are usually more |
| Rear-Facing Car Seat | | | | than happy to demonstrate the correct way. The |
| This type of car seat applies to children who would fall | | | | general rule though, is to make sure the seat belt is |
| under Group 0. Generally, this type of car seat is for | | | | tight, and the lap belt is positioned over the pelvic area |
| children who way less than 22 pounds (generally | | | | of the child, not the stomach. The diagonal strap should |
| children ages 6 to 12 months). Group 0+ would also fit | | | | rest on the child's shoulder, not their neck. |
| into this type of car seat. Group 0+ describes children | | | | Once the child grows to big for the seat (weighs more |
| who weigh between 22 and 29 pounds (generally | | | | than the seat is rated for or their head rests above |
| children ages 12 to 15 months). | | | | the top of the seat) he/she is ready to graduate to |
| This type of car seat can be placed in the front or | | | | sitting in the vehicle without the car seat; however the |
| back seat of a vehicle; however, most safety experts | | | | child should still sit in the back seat until they grow older. |
| suggest placing it in the back seat, especially if your | | | | As a parent, it goes without saying that your child's |
| vehicle has a passenger side airbag. The impact of the | | | | safety comes first and foremost. By keeping this in |
| airbag against the car seat can seriously injure, or | | | | mind and doing a thorough amount of research into |
| even kill a child. | | | | pricing and availability of car seats, you will be able to |
| The upside of rear-facing car seats is that they offer | | | | make the right decision. |
| excellent protection of the head, neck and spine of | | | | |