Having a baby can be overwhelming. Trying to navigate through the new world of baby gear, including car seats, that accompanies having a baby can be overwhelming as well. Once you begin to research which car seat to purchase you’ll discover a multitude of seats exist, but all of the seats on the market will usually fit into a handful of general categories.

Infant Car Seats	Convertible Car Seats	Forward Facing Only Seats	Combination Seats	Belt-Positioning Booster Seats

Infant Car Seats

Infant car seats can only be used in the rear-facing position, have a carry handle, and come with a base that stays in your vehicle.

Should I get an infant car seat?

Many first time parents question if they have to use an infant car seat. It’s totally up to you. There are some advantages to starting off with an infant car seat though:

• They’re portable. The car seat clicks into the base that stays in the car. That means that you don’t have to install the base every time you need to use the seat, and you don’t have to wake a sleeping baby when it’s time to get out of the car. That also means that you can purchase one car seat and multiple bases for other vehicles that may be transporting your baby.

• They can be “travel system” compatible. Most infant car seats on the market these days are compatible with a stroller. That means that you take the car seat from your car and place it on a compatible stroller without having to remove your baby from the car seat.

• They can provide a better fit for baby. Infant car seats are smaller than other types of car seats. That means that you should be able to get a better fit for an infant using an infant car seat than some car seats that are designed to accommodate both small infants and older toddlers.

Some parents are concerned about the infant car seat being or becoming too heavy to carry. If your baby has not outgrown the seat yet, but you feel that the car seat has become too cumbersome to carry, keep in mind that you can still use the seat without actually removing it from the base that is installed in your vehicle. Some parents simply keep the base and the car seat secured in the vehicle at all times and secure their child directly in the vehicle.

Also remember that it is not required that you use an infant car seat; you just need to use a seat that will keep your baby rear-facing. BRITAX supports the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics that children ride rear-facing until the age of 2 or until they outgrow the rear-facing height and weight capacity of their car seat, but at a minimum, children must remain rear-facing until they are at least 20 pounds and one year old. That means that if your child reaches 20 pounds at 9 months, she still needs to remain rear-facing for at least one year.

Convertible Car Seats

Convertible car seats can be used rear-facing and then “convert” to be used forward-facing.

When should I move my child into a convertible car seat?

Many convertible car seats allow you to begin using them when your baby weighs as little as five pounds. That coupled with the fact that these seats can be used rear-facing means that you could start using a convertible car seat from day one; you are not required to use an infant car seat.

If you choose to start with an infant car seat, your baby will be ready for their next seat either when:

• They have outgrown their infant car seat. Refer to your infant car seat user guide to determine when your child has outgrown the seat.

• You are ready to move them into their next seat. This could be because the infant car seat has become too cumbersome to carry.

When can I turn my convertible car seat around to forward-facing?

Many parents are anxious to turn their child’s seat around for various reasons; however we encourage you to follow the best practice of keeping your child rear-facing as long as possible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is best for your child to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car safety seat.

At minimum, children must remain rear-facing until they are at least 20 pounds and one year old. That means that if your child reaches 20 pounds at 9 months she still needs to remain rear-facing for at least one year.
 

Forward-Facing Only Seats

Forward-facing only seats are child seats that cannot be used in a rear-facing position. These seats come equipped with a harness system and will have a minimum weight requirement over 20 pounds.

Why would I use a forward-facing only child seat?

It is best to keep your child in a car seat with a five-point harness as long as possible. Some parents who have multiple children will pass their older child’s convertible car seat on to their next child. Rather than moving their older child into a booster seat prematurely, they will purchase a forward-facing seat that will allow them to stay restrained by a five-point harness longer.
 

Combination Seats

Combination seats possess a five-point harness that can later be removed and then used as a belt-positioning booster seat (more about belt-positioning boosters below).

Why would I use a combination seat?

It is best to keep your child in a car seat with a five-point harness as long as possible. Some parents who have multiple children will pass their older child’s convertible car seat on to their next child. Rather than moving their older child into a booster seat prematurely, they will purchase a combination seat that will allow them to stay restrained by a five-point harness longer. Once their child has outgrown the harness capacity of the seat, they can remove the harness system and continue to use the seat as a belt-positioning booster seat.
 

Belt-Positioning Booster Seats

Belt-positioning booster seats do not have a five-point harness system, but rather rely on the vehicle three-point seat belt system to keep your child restrained. The booster seat elevates your child so that the vehicle seat belt is positioned properly over your child. The lap belt should lie low and snug across your child’s upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should cross the middle of your child’s chest and shoulder. Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt and never a lap-only belt.

When can I move my child into a belt-positioning booster seat?

Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing child seat. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics it is best for children to ride in a harnessed seat as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age. If your child outgrows his seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.

Your child will be ready for a booster seat when any of the following is true:

• Your child reaches the top weight or height allowed for their seat with a harness. (These limits are listed on the seat and also included in the seat’s user guide.)

• Your child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots.

• Your child’s ears have reached the top of the seat.

Keep in mind that many states have age, height, and/or weight requirements that your child must meet before he can transition to a booster seat. To find out what the laws are in your state, visit the Govenors Highway Safety Association website.