How to Buy Infant Car Seats

Before you even go to the hospital to have your baby, learn how to buy infant car seats. Did you know that hospitals will not let you leave with your baby in a car without one? Many maternity ward nurses will insist on putting the baby in the car seat and fastening it in so they know that they have done everything in their power to get the baby home safely. Not sure how to buy a car seat for your baby? There are an overwhelming number of choices, but finding the right one isn’t impossible.

You may not have noticed these, but most infant car seats have an expiration date. When you go shopping, look on the back of the car seat to see what the date is, which stamped on the plastic. While this doesn't mean that the car seat will disintegrate at its expiration, it does give you an idea of how old the seat is and if it meets current safety requirements. Use caution buying a used car seat at garage sale or in thrift stores and look for this expiration date.

Most retail stores have a baby section. In this section you'll find a wide variety of infant car seats as well as toddler car seats. It is important to note that not all car seats are designed for infants. How do you determine what is an infant car seat and a toddler seat? Generally speaking, infant car seats are much smaller because they are designed for little babies that cannot hold their heads up nor sit upright. Toddler seats are larger and are designed for children that already know how to sit upright.

If you are a first-time parent, these "how to buy infant car seats guidelines" are the basics. A good infant car seat will have the following:

• Thick, removable padding
• Head supports or bolsters to keep the baby’s head from wobbling in the seat
• Adjustable straps or seat belts that are snug but not too tight
• A base that the infant seat can be locked into, which is also easy to install in your car

The padding should be thick, especially if you travel with your child frequently, and removable padding is easy to wash. Imagine lying in a plastic bed for a long period of time on a thin mattress and you'll get the idea. The more comfortable the baby is, the less crying you'll have to endure!

Nice seat padding that incorporates head bolsters is ideal, but not all infant car seat manufacturers do this. The good news is that you can also buy the head supports separately, and they are inexpensive.

Adjustable straps and seat belts are a must, especially if you have a large baby weighing in at 9 pounds or more at birth. It is also helpful if the seat belts are removable for washing. Babies spit up often, and it is usually all over the buckles and straps in a car seat.

Most infant seats come with a base that can be fastened into the backseat and left in there for as long as it is needed. What is important, especially for a mom juggling packages and a heavy baby, is a base that locks and releases the infant car seat easily. Check this at the store before you buy the car seat and you'll save yourself a lot of frustration later.

After you've purchased a car seat, thoroughly read the instructions for putting the seat together and installing it. It is very important to install the base according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the safety of your child. Currently, all infant car seats face the back of the vehicle once installed. Once the car seat has been installed, snap the car seat into the base (without the baby in it) and check to see if it is difficult to move around. It shouldn't move easily or shift from side to side.

If you are unsure whether you installed the seat correctly, you may visit your local fire department or police station and have someone check to see if it is installed correctly. Most local fire departments and police departments also have special events for families in the spring and fall. These events give parents the opportunity to come in and have their car seats checked for safety, as well as to see if the seat is installed correctly.

Remember, you should learn how to buy infant car seats with your child in mind. Comfort and safety should be at the top of the list. The end user should also be considered, since the parent's needs should be addressed as well. Choose seats that are easy to clean, and easy to snap in and remove from the car. If everyone's basic needs are met, both parent and child will be happy using their chosen infant car seat.

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