The Best Car Seats

Buying Guide

Choosing the correct car seat is one of the most crucial decisions a parent can make for their child. A good car seat should support the fragile parts of your child’s body. It should also have soft materials on the surfaces the child will be touching to ensure comfort during car rides.

There are three general types of car seats: rear-facing seats for younger children, forward-facing seats and booster seats for older children. Some car seats are convertible and can switch between rear- and forward-facing. There are also all-in-one models that can also be booster seats.

Rear-facing seats cradle and support the fragile spinal columns of newborns and infants throughout a ride and in the event of a crash. A rear-facing configuration is the safest for all children until they outgrow the car seat’s rear-facing size and weight ratings.

Besides configuration, two other important considerations you should have in mind when choosing a car seat are ease of use and whether the car seat fits your vehicle. You should be able to install your car seat correctly every time, without any uncertainty.

• Test out your car seat in your vehicle before buying it, or make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work to your liking.
• The configuration of your car may not accommodate some car seats, so do a little research before buying.
• Keep in mind where in the car the car seat will be so you can ensure it is cleaned regularly.
• As your child gets older, let them participate in the shopping process by letting them pick colors and patterns on your next model of car seat. This will give them a closer connection to the seat.