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