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Buying Guide: Car Seats

• LATCH
• Infant Car Seats
• Convertible Car Seats
• Booster Car Seats
• NHTSA General Child Seat Use Information Chart
• Safety Tips

When the time comes to take baby home, you will need a car seat. Car seats are required by law in every state, and the hospital will not release your baby if you do not have one. Most importantly, a car seat can save your child's life. However, not all car seats are the same, and it's important that you choose one appropriate for your child's weight, height, and age. Keep in mind that besides making sure your child fits in the car seat, you'll also need to make sure that the car seat fits in your vehicle.

LATCH
Proper installation is as important as fit when it comes to car seats. You may be surprised to know that most car seats are not installed properly. In September 2002, the government mandated a standardized installation system - Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, or simply LATCH. Vehicles are now equipped with two lower anchor bars in the rear seat where the seat cushion meets the seat back, and a tether ring on either the filler panel behind the rear seat or the cargo floor. LATCH-equipped car seats have permanent hooks or buckles that secure the seat to the appropriate anchor points, rather than relying on the vehicle's seat belt. Rear-facing car seats are secured with only the lower anchors. If your car was manufactured before 2002, you can still use a LATCH-equipped car seat and attach it with the vehicle's seat belts.

The best way to ensure proper installation of your car seat is to have it inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. You can find an inspection center near you through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator at www.nhtsa.gov. Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us have also partnered with the NHTSA in supporting SeatCheck. You can access their national system of permanent child safety seat fitting stations by visiting www.seatcheck.org, or call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK.

Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats will generally accommodate children 5-20 pounds, and are always used rear facing. You can purchase this type of seat separately, or as part of a travel system (a stroller and infant car seat combination). Infants require extra head and neck support, and all newborns must ride in a fully reclined position until they gain adequate head and neck control. Many infant car seats come with a detachable stay-in-car base, so you don't have to reinstall the seat every time you use it. This way, the seat also does double duty as an infant carrier, and you won't have to wake your baby up to get her in and out of the car seat. Children should be in a rear-facing car seat until they weigh at least 20 pounds and have reached 1 year of age. Many children will outgrow their infant car seat before their first birthday, and in that case you will need to use a convertible car seat in the rear-facing position. Infant car seats are available with either a 3- or 5-point harness. A 3-point harness secures the child at the shoulders and between the legs. A 5-point harness secures the child at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs.

Convertible Car Seats
Convertible car seats can be used either rear facing or forward facing. They have higher weight limits in the rear facing position, making them a good choice for bigger babies who are likely to outgrow their infant car seat before their first birthday. Children can ride forward facing in a convertible seat up to approximately 40 pounds, or 4 years of age. There are also some convertible seats that can transition into a booster seat to accommodate children up to 80 pounds. Convertible car seats are also available with either a 3- or 5-point harness. A 3-point harness secures the child at the shoulders and between the legs. A 5-point harness secures the child at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs.

Booster Car Seats
Once your child's shoulders are above the harness slots of his car seat, or his ears have reached the top of the car seat, it's time for a booster car seat. Booster seats raise your child up so that the vehicle lap and shoulder belt can secure him safely. Your vehicle's lap belt should be across the child's thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt should be across the middle of the chest and shoulder, never across the neck or throat. You can choose a backless booster if your vehicle seat provides ample head support, but if your seats are low you should opt for a high-back booster car seat. There are also high-back booster car seats that include either a 3- or 5-point internal harness. A 3-point harness secures the child at the shoulders and between the legs. A 5-point harness secures the child at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. This type of transitional booster car seat can be used forward facing for lighter children, approximately 20-40 pounds, and then the harness can be removed to use the seat as a belt-positioning booster car seat for children approximately 40-80 pounds. The laws on booster seat usage vary from state to state, but it is recommended by the NHTSA that children use a booster seat until they reach 8 years old and are at least 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall.

Browse our Car Seat department.

NHTSA General Child Seat Use Information Chart
The following chart is a quick reference of what type of car seat you should be using for your child's age, weight, and height.

Child's Age/Weight/Height	Seat Type/Seat Position
Newborn up to 1 year of age and up to at least 20 pounds	Infant car seat or convertible car seat used in the rear-facing position
	Seat should be secured in vehicle using the lower anchors of the LATCH system
Under 1 year of age and between 20-35 pounds	Convertible car seat used in the rear-facing position
	Use a seat recommended for heavier infants
	Seat should be secured in vehicle using the lower anchors of the LATCH system
Between 1-4 years of age weighing at least 20 pounds up to approximately 40 pounds	Convertible car seat used in the forward-facing position
	High-back booster car seat forward facing with internal harness
	Seat should be secured in vehicle using the lower anchors of the LATCH system
4 years of age up to 8 years of age, or at least 4' 9" (57") tall	Backless belt-positioning booster car seat
	High-back belt-positioning booster car seat
	Always use both lap and shoulder belts when using booster car seats

Safety Tips
A car seat is the most important safety item you can purchase for your child. Aside from ensuring a correct fit for you child and vehicle and installing your car seat properly, there are several other safety concerns to keep in mind when it comes to car seats.

• Never use a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag. The safest place for children is the rear center seat of your vehicle.
• Always use a car seat that is appropriate for your child's size and age.
• Complete and return the manufacturer's product registration card. This way the manufacturer will be able to contact you directly if a recall is issued.
• Firmly secure the car seat to your vehicle. The seat should not be able to move more than an inch in either direction.
• Use a locking clip if your vehicle has a continuous loop belt system. Locking clips are included with all new car seats. Consult your vehicle manual for information on your vehicle's seat belt system.
• Follow both the car seat and the vehicle manufacturer's directions for installation.
• Attend a car seat safety check, or schedule an appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Most car seats are not installed properly.
• Never use a car seat that has been involved in a collision.
• Never use a car seat that is more than 6 years old. It may not meet current safety standards.
• Make sure the harness is snug around your child.
• Never tuck anything underneath baby in a car seat. If your child has too much wiggle room, you may need to adjust the harness or switch to a smaller car seat.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JPMA) has developed a certification system to identify which products have been manufactured with safety in mind. Look for the JPMA seal while you're shopping for a car seat. It's an easy way to make sure the car seat you choose meets the highest standards for safety.

A car seat is an absolute must for bringing baby home from the hospital. You may choose the convenience of an infant car seat, or the length of use of a convertible car seat. Why not add one, or both, to your registry and let friends and family help you prepare to bring your little one home in style.

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