Read the Top
Rated Baby Car
Seat + Stroller
Guide and FIND
WHAT YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR!
Parents often ask which of the many car
seats is the best car seat on the market. The
truth is, the best car seat is the one that fits
your vehicle, your budget, your baby and that
you will use properly each time your baby
rides in the car. Use the following criteria to
determine which car seat is the best choice
for your baby.
Safest Car Seat?
Most car seats sold in the U.S. and Europe
must pass government required crash safety
tests. Some car seats may have extra
features that make them easier to install
correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-
twisting straps. Because proper installation
is key in car seat safety, these installation
helpers may add safety for some people.
However, even the cheapest car seat in the
store, with no extra features, has passed the
basic crash tests and is safe for your baby
when installed properly.
Car Seats Must Fit the Baby
Use your baby's height, weight and age to
choose the type of car seat to use. Rear-
facing-only infant car seats are used through
about 20 lbs. Convertible car seats are used
rear-facing until baby is at least 1 year old
and weighs at least 20 lbs., and forward-
facing through the weight limit listed on the
car seat. Height-wise, baby's head should be
one inch or more below the top of the car
seat when rear-facing. For front-facing seats,
the tops of baby's ears should be below the
seat top.
Can You Install and Use the Car Seat Easily?
The most expensive, feature-rich car seat is
not safe for your baby if you don't take the
time to read the directions and install it
properly every time it is used. Check the car
seat manual to be sure you can install and
use the car seat as it is intended. Can you
adjust the harness to secure baby in the car
seat? Choose a car seat that you will use
according to the instructions.
Does the Car Seat Fit Your Vehicle?
With so many vehicle seat styles, from
benches to buckets, not all car seats will fit in
every vehicle. It is essential to find a car seat
that can be installed tightly, with the proper
angle and less than an inch of side-to-side
wiggle. Most reputable baby products stores
will let you take a car seat floor model to your
vehicle, possibly with a store employee, to
check the fit before purchase. If not, check the
return policy to be sure you can return the
seat if it doesn't fit the vehicle.
Car Seat Recalls
Most recalled car seats are pulled from store
shelves when the recall notice is issued. It's
still a good idea to check with the
manufacturer to be sure your new car seat is
not affected by any recalls. If you have
borrowed or purchased a used car seat,
checking for recalls is even more important. If
you also send in the registration card for a
new car seat, you will be quickly notified if
your baby's car seat is ever affected by a
recall.
Are Used Car Seats Safe?
Steer clear of used car seats if you cannot
get an accurate history of the car seat's use.
You must know a car seat's crash history to
determine safety. Buy used car seats only
from people you know well enough to trust
their account of the car seat's crash history.
Car crashes can cause hidden damage to
car seats, and the car seat could fail in a
second crash, putting your child at risk of
injury. Check to be sure no alterations have
been made to used car seats.
Car Seat Accessories
When buying a car seat, bypass all of the car
seat accessories and installation aids. If an
item didn't come with the car seat, it's not
safe to use it with the car seat. After-market
car seat products aren't crash-tested with
each car seat and could cause injury during
a crash. This includes head positioners
(unless it came with the car seat) and seat
belt ratchets, which aren't needed if you
install the car seat properly. Use of after-
market products often voids the car seat
warranty.
Keep Baby Safe As Long As Possible
The best way to keep baby safe in the car is
to use a car seat with the most crash
protection for as long as it fits your baby. You
don't have to turn baby forward-facing right at
one year and 20 pounds. Many seats today
offer higher rear-facing weight limits, and this
is a good option to choose if possible. Also
look for higher forward-facing weight limits
on 5-point harness seats, and keep your
toddler in a booster seat as long as possible
after he or she outgrows a regular car seat.
by Heather C. Want to buy a New Baby Car
Seat or Stroller
Strollers can be a parent's best friend, but
choosing the wrong baby stroller could spell
trouble and inconvenience. How can parents
choose the right baby stroller from the many
available in stores and via the Internet?
Strollers are available to match just about
any lifestyle, so think about how you want to
use the stroller first and then look for a
stroller model that best fits your life and your
baby.
Safety Features Are Important
As always, baby's safety is the biggest
concern. Check strollers for stability before
buying, and don't forget to see if the stroller
will remain upright with a diaper bag hanging
over the handles! Also check the stroller
harness. A five-point harness that goes over
baby's shoulders is best, especially for
infants or babies who are in the stroller a lot.
For occasional mall trips, a three-point
harness might be OK.
Wheels and Handles
Walk your favorite strollers through the store
before making a purchase. Check the height
of the handles to be sure they are
comfortable for you. Taller parents should
look for strollers with adjustable handle
heights so they don't have to stoop. Choose
a stroller that makes corners smoothly,
especially if you'll use it in crowded places.
Also try walking with the stroller at a faster
pace to be sure your feet don't hit the wheels.
Foam-covered handles are a nice choice for
comfort. Convenience Features
Do you need a stroller with a basket
underneath, or will you carry the diaper bag
elsewhere? Some strollers come with parent
organization trays, toy bars, snack and drink
holders, rain hoods and more. Many of these
accessories are available separately, so
don't let the lack of a drink holder sway you
away from a stroller you otherwise love. How
the stroller folds and how much trunk space
it may take are important considerations. Be
sure you can fold, unfold and store the
stroller easily!
Lightweight Strollers
Lightweight strollers have come a long way
from the old umbrella stroller. This new
generation of strollers under 20 pounds have
many of the same features as larger
strollers, such as reclining seats, storage
baskets and sun shades. These strollers are
great for travelers and perfect for trips to the
mall or zoo. Inexpensive umbrella strollers
are still a great, economical choice to be
stashed in the trunk as a spare, but those
without a reclining seat can't be used with
tiny infants.
Standard Strollers
Larger and heavier than lightweight strollers,
standard strollers often feature roomier
seats, larger wheels, more storage space
and extras like built-in music systems and
ergonomic handles. Standard strollers
perform well in most conditions, and many
parents love these versatile wonders. For
travelers, these strollers do fold, often with
nice one-hand mechanisms, but they take up
more trunk space and are heavier to lift in
and out. Larger strollers may be hard to
handle in crowded places.
Jogging Strollers
Outdoorsy parents may want to consider a
jogging stroller, as a backup for a standard
stroller or even as an everyday stroller.
Featuring large, sturdy tires, sleek frames,
hand-grip brakes and all-terrain suspension
systems, jogging strollers perform well on
almost any surface. Jogging strollers may
not fold as easily or as flat as other strollers,
meaning there may be better everyday
choices for parents who travel a lot. Jogging
strollers are not recommended for infants
under 6 months old. Want to buy a New Baby
Stoller or Baby Travel System?
Travel Systems
Travel systems offer convenience for busy
new parents. A travel system begins with a
standard stroller, but includes an infant car
seat that snaps onto the stroller, allowing
parents to move the infant from car to stroller
easily. Most travel systems come with a car
seat base that stays in the car so that
parents just snap the infant seat into the
base rather than buckling/unbuckling the
seat into the car. Once the infant seat is
outgrown, travel systems perform the same
as standard strollers.
Strollers for More Than One Child
If you have more than one child, strollers with
extra capacity can make outings easier.
Consider the children's ages when choosing
a stroller for multiples. Some double strollers
have space for a child to stand and ride, but
this doesn't allow for in-stroller naps. Other
models have seats for all riders. Choose
seats that recline for younger riders. Also
consider this versatile option - clip two
lightweight strollers together with stroller
clips, which also lets you use the strollers
separately.
A child car seat should be high on your to-buy
list. You’ll need one to bring your baby home
from the hospital and for every car trip
thereafter. In fact, hospitals and birthing
centers generally won’t let you leave by car
with your newborn if you don’t have one.
Every state requires that kids up to 4 years of
age ride in a car seat; many require booster
seats for older children.
What's Available
The major brands of car seats you’re likely to
encounter are, in alphabetical order: Baby
Trend, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Cosco, Eddie
Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Peg Perego, and
Safety 1st. Want to buy a New Baby Stroller
or Baby Car Seat?
There are also car beds for preemies and
other very small newborns if there’s a
concern that a car seat may not provide a
secure fit or that it may exacerbate breathing
problems. In addition, there are specially
designed car seats for children with physical
disabilities. Every model of car seat sold in
the U.S. and Europe must meet government
mandated safety standards.
These are your basic choices:
Infant seats. These rear-facing seats are for
babies up to 22 pounds. They allow infants to
recline at an angle that doesn’t interfere with
breathing and protects them best in a crash.
Many strollers are now designed to
accommodate infant car seats. All infant car-
seat models come with a handle, and nearly
all have a base that secures to your vehicle
with LATCH connections or a vehicle safety
belt, a convenience that lets you remove the
seat and use it as a carrier. You can strap
most infant seats into a car without a base,
using the vehicle safety belts, but most
people don’t use them that way.
Infant seats have either a three-point
harness--two adjustable shoulder straps
and a lock between the child’s legs or--even
better--an adjustable five-point system--two
straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs,
and a crotch strap. The handle usually
swings from a position behind the seat’s
shell when in the car to an upright position
for carrying. Remember to swing the handle
to the vehicle position before each trip. Slots
underneath most seats help them attach to
the frame of a shopping cart.
With an infant car seat, you also can move
your baby from car to house or vice versa
without waking him or her up--a plus for both
of you. Note also th at extra bases are
available so you can keep a secured base in
each of your vehicles. Your baby may outgrow
an infant car seat quickly and become too
heavy for you to use it as a carrier. As a
result, you may find yourself having to buy a
convertible car seat after your baby is 6 to 9
months old. However, our advice is still to
start with an infant seat before moving up to a
convertible seat.
Price range: $30 to $180.
Travel systems. Travel systems offer one-
stop shopping: You get an infant car seat and
a stroller all in one. Most car-seat
manufacturers offer these combination
strollers/infant car seats. And many stand-
alone strollers are now designed to
accommodate infant car seats. With these
strollers, you create a carriage by snapping
an infant car seat into a stroller. The car
seats of travel systems also come with a
base, which stays in the car. The snap-on car
seat is generally positioned atop the stroller
so the infant rides facing the person pushing.
Your baby can also ride in the stroller seat
alone when he or she is big enough
Most travel-system strollers can be used only
with a car seat from the same company. They
can also be bulky, so if you’re a city dweller
who negotiates more subway stairs than
highways or if the trunk of your car isn’t too
roomy, you may be better off with a separate
car seat and a compact stroller that is
appropriate for a newborn.
Price range: $40 (stroller frame only)to $400.
Want to buy a New Baby Stroller or Baby Car
Seat? .
Convertible seats. With a convertible seat,
the child faces rearward as an infant, then
toward the front of the vehicle as a toddler.
The seat can function as a rear-facing seat
for infants up to 30 or 35 pounds, depending
on the model, and as a front-facing seat for
toddlers generally up to 40 pounds (a few
have a 65-pound limit). Models typically have
an adjustable five-point harness system--two
straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs,
and a crotch strap between the legs. Some
models have a tray shield that lowers over
the baby’s head and fastens with a buckle
between the legs. However, our tests show
that children, especially small ones, are
better restrained with a five-point harness
Price range: $50 to $290.
Toddler/booster seats. Looking like large
versions of convertible seats, these front-
facing seats are used with an internal
harness for toddlers 20 to 40 pounds. They’
re either LATCH-attached or can be secured
using the vehicle belts and tethers. When
kids reach 40 pounds, the seat becomes a
belt-positioned booster seat, which children
can use until they’re 80 or 100 pounds. With
a belt-positioned booster seat, the child is
restrained using the vehicle’s lap and
shoulder belt system. Want to buy a New
Baby Stroller or Baby Car Seat?
Booster seats. These are generally for
children weighing 40 to 80 pounds. (A very
tall child may begin using a booster seat at
30 pounds.) Booster seats use the vehicle’s
own safety belts to restrain the child.
Built-in seats. Some U.S. and foreign
automakers offer on select cars and
minivans an integrated, forward-facing child
seat that has a harness and accommodates
toddlers weighing more than 20 pounds.
There are also some booster-seat versions.
Built-in seats must meet the same
performance standards as add-on child
seats. However, they offer little or no side
protection and they’re usually located next to
a door, instead of in the center--the safer
position. You may also need a regular car
seat for when your child travels in other
vehicles.
Important Features
Since Sept.1, 2002, all child car seats with an
internal harness and nearly all passenger
vehicles sold in the U.S. have been required
to include equipment designed for simpler
buckling. This system, called LATCH (Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children), consists
of child car-seat connections that attach to
anchor points in the vehicle, eliminating the
need to use a vehicle’s safety belts to install
the seat. You can still use safety belts to
install a LATCH-equipped child car seat--for
example, in an older car that lacks LATCH
anchors. You can also retrofit some non-
LATCH car seats with LATCH features.
Today’s car seats cater to every possible
taste--plain colors, plaids, animal and paw-
print motifs, and patriotic red, white, and blue.
Remember that, style aside, babies tend to
be messy, so washable fabric is a plus,
especially if your car seat will be with you
beyond the first year, when training cups and
eating on the go can kick into high gear.
Car seats from some leading brands,
however, require hand washing and line
drying. Make sure you’re up for that; most
coverings are rigged through the harness-
strap system and are held in place with
elastic so they can be removed for
laundering. But in some cases extracting the
fabric from the seat can require extensive
dismantling. Check the seat’s manual for
how-to’s.
Extras such as add-on seat covers ("boots"),
thicker padding, additional reclining options,
or adjustable head-support cushions may
offer greater comfort. But buy them only if they
are sold by the same maker as the seat and
for that specific seat, since they were tested
that way; mixing brands is very risky. Some
models have elastic side pockets for toys,
bottles, or snacks. As your baby grows, they
can come in handy, but they’re not absolutely
necessary.
Some infant and convertible seats have a
level indicator on the side to help you install
them facing the rear at a safe angle. A top
tether is a webbed strap that can be used
with all front-facing seats for children up to 40
pounds and with some up to 65 pounds. It’s
located on the back of a convertible or toddler
seat and hooks into an eye bolt in a vehicle’s
rear deck, floor, roof, or seatback. Passenger
vehicles manufactured on or after Sept.
1,1999 have the anchors in place in their rear
seats, but older models may need to have
the hardware added. Obviously, you can’t use
a tether with cars that lack a top-tether anchor
or that have no provision for a retrofit. Want to
buy a New Baby Car Seat or Stroller?
How to Choose
Start with an infant seat for a newborn and
pay close attention to the height and weight
limits as your child grows. When your baby
reaches the infant seat’s limits for height and
weight, or becomes too heavy for you to tote,
use a convertible seat in the rear-facing
orientation up to the seat’s limits in that
mode. Then use the convertible seat front-
facing until your toddler reaches the next
height and weight limits. After that, use a
booster seat until your child is tall enough to
use the car’s safety belts, typically at least 57
inches. Buying three seats instead of two
may cost more, but it can pay off in protection
and peace of mind.
Make sure the seat is compatible with your
car. One of the first things you should do in
choosing a seat for your child is to check the
fit of any models you’re considering in your
own car. Even before that, though, we
suggest placing similar-looking models side
by side in the store to compare features. (If
you’ve already had your baby, place your child
in the seat, to get a sense of the ease of
buckling and unbuckling.) Then, if possible,
bring the floor model to your car for a mock
installation. Be aware that some vehicle
seats are too short, indented, or excessively
sloped to allow a good fit of a child car seat.
If you’re considering a convertible car seat, try
the floor model in both the rear- and front-
facing positions. Check out the harness
release button in the rear-facing position; in
some models it may be too low to reach
comfortably. If you’re thinking about an infant
car-seat/stroller combination, also known as
a travel system, check to be sure that it fits in
your trunk or vehicle cargo area. If the store
won’t let you take the seat out to your car to try
it, make sure you can return any car seat you
buy--or go to another store.
Insist on new. Although there are many baby
items you can borrow or buy secondhand,
don’t make a car seat one of them if you can
avoid it. A used seat may have been in a
crash or recalled. The manufacturer’s
instructions may be missing. If, for some
reason, you must use a secondhand seat,
avoid those with an unknown history or that
are older than six years. In the world of car
seats, a six-year-old model is a relic--and
risky. You’ll also want to avoid recalled
models.
Send in the registration card. You should be
notified by the manufacturer if the car seat is
recalled. Check the store’s return policy. Can
you return the car seat if you are not
satisfied? If you’re not happy with a particular
car seat for whatever reason, it’s important to
know that you can return it and try again with
another model. Be aware that a badly soiled
or damaged seat may not be exchanged.
Rated Baby Car
Seat + Stroller
Guide and FIND
WHAT YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR!
Parents often ask which of the many car
seats is the best car seat on the market. The
truth is, the best car seat is the one that fits
your vehicle, your budget, your baby and that
you will use properly each time your baby
rides in the car. Use the following criteria to
determine which car seat is the best choice
for your baby.
Safest Car Seat?
Most car seats sold in the U.S. and Europe
must pass government required crash safety
tests. Some car seats may have extra
features that make them easier to install
correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-
twisting straps. Because proper installation
is key in car seat safety, these installation
helpers may add safety for some people.
However, even the cheapest car seat in the
store, with no extra features, has passed the
basic crash tests and is safe for your baby
when installed properly.
Car Seats Must Fit the Baby
Use your baby's height, weight and age to
choose the type of car seat to use. Rear-
facing-only infant car seats are used through
about 20 lbs. Convertible car seats are used
rear-facing until baby is at least 1 year old
and weighs at least 20 lbs., and forward-
facing through the weight limit listed on the
car seat. Height-wise, baby's head should be
one inch or more below the top of the car
seat when rear-facing. For front-facing seats,
the tops of baby's ears should be below the
seat top.
Can You Install and Use the Car Seat Easily?
The most expensive, feature-rich car seat is
not safe for your baby if you don't take the
time to read the directions and install it
properly every time it is used. Check the car
seat manual to be sure you can install and
use the car seat as it is intended. Can you
adjust the harness to secure baby in the car
seat? Choose a car seat that you will use
according to the instructions.
Does the Car Seat Fit Your Vehicle?
With so many vehicle seat styles, from
benches to buckets, not all car seats will fit in
every vehicle. It is essential to find a car seat
that can be installed tightly, with the proper
angle and less than an inch of side-to-side
wiggle. Most reputable baby products stores
will let you take a car seat floor model to your
vehicle, possibly with a store employee, to
check the fit before purchase. If not, check the
return policy to be sure you can return the
seat if it doesn't fit the vehicle.
Car Seat Recalls
Most recalled car seats are pulled from store
shelves when the recall notice is issued. It's
still a good idea to check with the
manufacturer to be sure your new car seat is
not affected by any recalls. If you have
borrowed or purchased a used car seat,
checking for recalls is even more important. If
you also send in the registration card for a
new car seat, you will be quickly notified if
your baby's car seat is ever affected by a
recall.
Are Used Car Seats Safe?
Steer clear of used car seats if you cannot
get an accurate history of the car seat's use.
You must know a car seat's crash history to
determine safety. Buy used car seats only
from people you know well enough to trust
their account of the car seat's crash history.
Car crashes can cause hidden damage to
car seats, and the car seat could fail in a
second crash, putting your child at risk of
injury. Check to be sure no alterations have
been made to used car seats.
Car Seat Accessories
When buying a car seat, bypass all of the car
seat accessories and installation aids. If an
item didn't come with the car seat, it's not
safe to use it with the car seat. After-market
car seat products aren't crash-tested with
each car seat and could cause injury during
a crash. This includes head positioners
(unless it came with the car seat) and seat
belt ratchets, which aren't needed if you
install the car seat properly. Use of after-
market products often voids the car seat
warranty.
Keep Baby Safe As Long As Possible
The best way to keep baby safe in the car is
to use a car seat with the most crash
protection for as long as it fits your baby. You
don't have to turn baby forward-facing right at
one year and 20 pounds. Many seats today
offer higher rear-facing weight limits, and this
is a good option to choose if possible. Also
look for higher forward-facing weight limits
on 5-point harness seats, and keep your
toddler in a booster seat as long as possible
after he or she outgrows a regular car seat.
by Heather C. Want to buy a New Baby Car
Seat or Stroller
Strollers can be a parent's best friend, but
choosing the wrong baby stroller could spell
trouble and inconvenience. How can parents
choose the right baby stroller from the many
available in stores and via the Internet?
Strollers are available to match just about
any lifestyle, so think about how you want to
use the stroller first and then look for a
stroller model that best fits your life and your
baby.
Safety Features Are Important
As always, baby's safety is the biggest
concern. Check strollers for stability before
buying, and don't forget to see if the stroller
will remain upright with a diaper bag hanging
over the handles! Also check the stroller
harness. A five-point harness that goes over
baby's shoulders is best, especially for
infants or babies who are in the stroller a lot.
For occasional mall trips, a three-point
harness might be OK.
Wheels and Handles
Walk your favorite strollers through the store
before making a purchase. Check the height
of the handles to be sure they are
comfortable for you. Taller parents should
look for strollers with adjustable handle
heights so they don't have to stoop. Choose
a stroller that makes corners smoothly,
especially if you'll use it in crowded places.
Also try walking with the stroller at a faster
pace to be sure your feet don't hit the wheels.
Foam-covered handles are a nice choice for
comfort. Convenience Features
Do you need a stroller with a basket
underneath, or will you carry the diaper bag
elsewhere? Some strollers come with parent
organization trays, toy bars, snack and drink
holders, rain hoods and more. Many of these
accessories are available separately, so
don't let the lack of a drink holder sway you
away from a stroller you otherwise love. How
the stroller folds and how much trunk space
it may take are important considerations. Be
sure you can fold, unfold and store the
stroller easily!
Lightweight Strollers
Lightweight strollers have come a long way
from the old umbrella stroller. This new
generation of strollers under 20 pounds have
many of the same features as larger
strollers, such as reclining seats, storage
baskets and sun shades. These strollers are
great for travelers and perfect for trips to the
mall or zoo. Inexpensive umbrella strollers
are still a great, economical choice to be
stashed in the trunk as a spare, but those
without a reclining seat can't be used with
tiny infants.
Standard Strollers
Larger and heavier than lightweight strollers,
standard strollers often feature roomier
seats, larger wheels, more storage space
and extras like built-in music systems and
ergonomic handles. Standard strollers
perform well in most conditions, and many
parents love these versatile wonders. For
travelers, these strollers do fold, often with
nice one-hand mechanisms, but they take up
more trunk space and are heavier to lift in
and out. Larger strollers may be hard to
handle in crowded places.
Jogging Strollers
Outdoorsy parents may want to consider a
jogging stroller, as a backup for a standard
stroller or even as an everyday stroller.
Featuring large, sturdy tires, sleek frames,
hand-grip brakes and all-terrain suspension
systems, jogging strollers perform well on
almost any surface. Jogging strollers may
not fold as easily or as flat as other strollers,
meaning there may be better everyday
choices for parents who travel a lot. Jogging
strollers are not recommended for infants
under 6 months old. Want to buy a New Baby
Stoller or Baby Travel System?
Travel Systems
Travel systems offer convenience for busy
new parents. A travel system begins with a
standard stroller, but includes an infant car
seat that snaps onto the stroller, allowing
parents to move the infant from car to stroller
easily. Most travel systems come with a car
seat base that stays in the car so that
parents just snap the infant seat into the
base rather than buckling/unbuckling the
seat into the car. Once the infant seat is
outgrown, travel systems perform the same
as standard strollers.
Strollers for More Than One Child
If you have more than one child, strollers with
extra capacity can make outings easier.
Consider the children's ages when choosing
a stroller for multiples. Some double strollers
have space for a child to stand and ride, but
this doesn't allow for in-stroller naps. Other
models have seats for all riders. Choose
seats that recline for younger riders. Also
consider this versatile option - clip two
lightweight strollers together with stroller
clips, which also lets you use the strollers
separately.
A child car seat should be high on your to-buy
list. You’ll need one to bring your baby home
from the hospital and for every car trip
thereafter. In fact, hospitals and birthing
centers generally won’t let you leave by car
with your newborn if you don’t have one.
Every state requires that kids up to 4 years of
age ride in a car seat; many require booster
seats for older children.
What's Available
The major brands of car seats you’re likely to
encounter are, in alphabetical order: Baby
Trend, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Cosco, Eddie
Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Peg Perego, and
Safety 1st. Want to buy a New Baby Stroller
or Baby Car Seat?
There are also car beds for preemies and
other very small newborns if there’s a
concern that a car seat may not provide a
secure fit or that it may exacerbate breathing
problems. In addition, there are specially
designed car seats for children with physical
disabilities. Every model of car seat sold in
the U.S. and Europe must meet government
mandated safety standards.
These are your basic choices:
Infant seats. These rear-facing seats are for
babies up to 22 pounds. They allow infants to
recline at an angle that doesn’t interfere with
breathing and protects them best in a crash.
Many strollers are now designed to
accommodate infant car seats. All infant car-
seat models come with a handle, and nearly
all have a base that secures to your vehicle
with LATCH connections or a vehicle safety
belt, a convenience that lets you remove the
seat and use it as a carrier. You can strap
most infant seats into a car without a base,
using the vehicle safety belts, but most
people don’t use them that way.
Infant seats have either a three-point
harness--two adjustable shoulder straps
and a lock between the child’s legs or--even
better--an adjustable five-point system--two
straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs,
and a crotch strap. The handle usually
swings from a position behind the seat’s
shell when in the car to an upright position
for carrying. Remember to swing the handle
to the vehicle position before each trip. Slots
underneath most seats help them attach to
the frame of a shopping cart.
With an infant car seat, you also can move
your baby from car to house or vice versa
without waking him or her up--a plus for both
of you. Note also th at extra bases are
available so you can keep a secured base in
each of your vehicles. Your baby may outgrow
an infant car seat quickly and become too
heavy for you to use it as a carrier. As a
result, you may find yourself having to buy a
convertible car seat after your baby is 6 to 9
months old. However, our advice is still to
start with an infant seat before moving up to a
convertible seat.
Price range: $30 to $180.
Travel systems. Travel systems offer one-
stop shopping: You get an infant car seat and
a stroller all in one. Most car-seat
manufacturers offer these combination
strollers/infant car seats. And many stand-
alone strollers are now designed to
accommodate infant car seats. With these
strollers, you create a carriage by snapping
an infant car seat into a stroller. The car
seats of travel systems also come with a
base, which stays in the car. The snap-on car
seat is generally positioned atop the stroller
so the infant rides facing the person pushing.
Your baby can also ride in the stroller seat
alone when he or she is big enough
Most travel-system strollers can be used only
with a car seat from the same company. They
can also be bulky, so if you’re a city dweller
who negotiates more subway stairs than
highways or if the trunk of your car isn’t too
roomy, you may be better off with a separate
car seat and a compact stroller that is
appropriate for a newborn.
Price range: $40 (stroller frame only)to $400.
Want to buy a New Baby Stroller or Baby Car
Seat? .
Convertible seats. With a convertible seat,
the child faces rearward as an infant, then
toward the front of the vehicle as a toddler.
The seat can function as a rear-facing seat
for infants up to 30 or 35 pounds, depending
on the model, and as a front-facing seat for
toddlers generally up to 40 pounds (a few
have a 65-pound limit). Models typically have
an adjustable five-point harness system--two
straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs,
and a crotch strap between the legs. Some
models have a tray shield that lowers over
the baby’s head and fastens with a buckle
between the legs. However, our tests show
that children, especially small ones, are
better restrained with a five-point harness
Price range: $50 to $290.
Toddler/booster seats. Looking like large
versions of convertible seats, these front-
facing seats are used with an internal
harness for toddlers 20 to 40 pounds. They’
re either LATCH-attached or can be secured
using the vehicle belts and tethers. When
kids reach 40 pounds, the seat becomes a
belt-positioned booster seat, which children
can use until they’re 80 or 100 pounds. With
a belt-positioned booster seat, the child is
restrained using the vehicle’s lap and
shoulder belt system. Want to buy a New
Baby Stroller or Baby Car Seat?
Booster seats. These are generally for
children weighing 40 to 80 pounds. (A very
tall child may begin using a booster seat at
30 pounds.) Booster seats use the vehicle’s
own safety belts to restrain the child.
Built-in seats. Some U.S. and foreign
automakers offer on select cars and
minivans an integrated, forward-facing child
seat that has a harness and accommodates
toddlers weighing more than 20 pounds.
There are also some booster-seat versions.
Built-in seats must meet the same
performance standards as add-on child
seats. However, they offer little or no side
protection and they’re usually located next to
a door, instead of in the center--the safer
position. You may also need a regular car
seat for when your child travels in other
vehicles.
Important Features
Since Sept.1, 2002, all child car seats with an
internal harness and nearly all passenger
vehicles sold in the U.S. have been required
to include equipment designed for simpler
buckling. This system, called LATCH (Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children), consists
of child car-seat connections that attach to
anchor points in the vehicle, eliminating the
need to use a vehicle’s safety belts to install
the seat. You can still use safety belts to
install a LATCH-equipped child car seat--for
example, in an older car that lacks LATCH
anchors. You can also retrofit some non-
LATCH car seats with LATCH features.
Today’s car seats cater to every possible
taste--plain colors, plaids, animal and paw-
print motifs, and patriotic red, white, and blue.
Remember that, style aside, babies tend to
be messy, so washable fabric is a plus,
especially if your car seat will be with you
beyond the first year, when training cups and
eating on the go can kick into high gear.
Car seats from some leading brands,
however, require hand washing and line
drying. Make sure you’re up for that; most
coverings are rigged through the harness-
strap system and are held in place with
elastic so they can be removed for
laundering. But in some cases extracting the
fabric from the seat can require extensive
dismantling. Check the seat’s manual for
how-to’s.
Extras such as add-on seat covers ("boots"),
thicker padding, additional reclining options,
or adjustable head-support cushions may
offer greater comfort. But buy them only if they
are sold by the same maker as the seat and
for that specific seat, since they were tested
that way; mixing brands is very risky. Some
models have elastic side pockets for toys,
bottles, or snacks. As your baby grows, they
can come in handy, but they’re not absolutely
necessary.
Some infant and convertible seats have a
level indicator on the side to help you install
them facing the rear at a safe angle. A top
tether is a webbed strap that can be used
with all front-facing seats for children up to 40
pounds and with some up to 65 pounds. It’s
located on the back of a convertible or toddler
seat and hooks into an eye bolt in a vehicle’s
rear deck, floor, roof, or seatback. Passenger
vehicles manufactured on or after Sept.
1,1999 have the anchors in place in their rear
seats, but older models may need to have
the hardware added. Obviously, you can’t use
a tether with cars that lack a top-tether anchor
or that have no provision for a retrofit. Want to
buy a New Baby Car Seat or Stroller?
How to Choose
Start with an infant seat for a newborn and
pay close attention to the height and weight
limits as your child grows. When your baby
reaches the infant seat’s limits for height and
weight, or becomes too heavy for you to tote,
use a convertible seat in the rear-facing
orientation up to the seat’s limits in that
mode. Then use the convertible seat front-
facing until your toddler reaches the next
height and weight limits. After that, use a
booster seat until your child is tall enough to
use the car’s safety belts, typically at least 57
inches. Buying three seats instead of two
may cost more, but it can pay off in protection
and peace of mind.
Make sure the seat is compatible with your
car. One of the first things you should do in
choosing a seat for your child is to check the
fit of any models you’re considering in your
own car. Even before that, though, we
suggest placing similar-looking models side
by side in the store to compare features. (If
you’ve already had your baby, place your child
in the seat, to get a sense of the ease of
buckling and unbuckling.) Then, if possible,
bring the floor model to your car for a mock
installation. Be aware that some vehicle
seats are too short, indented, or excessively
sloped to allow a good fit of a child car seat.
If you’re considering a convertible car seat, try
the floor model in both the rear- and front-
facing positions. Check out the harness
release button in the rear-facing position; in
some models it may be too low to reach
comfortably. If you’re thinking about an infant
car-seat/stroller combination, also known as
a travel system, check to be sure that it fits in
your trunk or vehicle cargo area. If the store
won’t let you take the seat out to your car to try
it, make sure you can return any car seat you
buy--or go to another store.
Insist on new. Although there are many baby
items you can borrow or buy secondhand,
don’t make a car seat one of them if you can
avoid it. A used seat may have been in a
crash or recalled. The manufacturer’s
instructions may be missing. If, for some
reason, you must use a secondhand seat,
avoid those with an unknown history or that
are older than six years. In the world of car
seats, a six-year-old model is a relic--and
risky. You’ll also want to avoid recalled
models.
Send in the registration card. You should be
notified by the manufacturer if the car seat is
recalled. Check the store’s return policy. Can
you return the car seat if you are not
satisfied? If you’re not happy with a particular
car seat for whatever reason, it’s important to
know that you can return it and try again with
another model. Be aware that a badly soiled
or damaged seat may not be exchanged.
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