NEW BABY SMARTS

"Choosing Baby's Car Seat"

Buying a car seat or baby can be tricky business. It is not just a matter of choosing the right seat baby, but you also must be sure that the seat will fit your car model.
 
  You have two main choices as you shop for baby's car seat.
 
1. A rearward facing infant seat.  That will work until your baby is around one year old. 

2. A convertable two-way seat that faces rearward for about the first year,then forward, until your child goes to school. These are heavier construction than infant type of seat and once it is installed you can leave it in your car. Many parents don't like these seats, because baby is not able to as upright as he should. 

Your firstpriority must be to get a seat that fits your car and that's not the case with every car seat.  Even some of the most populary brands don't fit the most popular cars, often because the car seat belt just isn’t long enough to wrap around the seat securely.
 
Look for these features with any seat you choose:

1. Your infant car seat should be lightweight with comfortable handles.  That makes it easier to lift in and out of the car.
 
2. Your infant car seat should have plenty of side and back padding. Baby will feel snug and secure. 

3. Your infant car seat must have a head hugger or cushion.  Newborn baby can’t support his head and neck and needs this feature.

4. Always read the instructions that come with the sear and follow them carefully.

5. When you take the seat out of the car take care to put it back in properly. Don't strap your baby into the seat and forget to secure the seat to the car.

6.  Becareful about buying a previously used car sear.  It may have been damaged in an accident, and you won’t be able to see the tiny cracks in the frame or the stretch in the harness.
 
7. Never put a rearward-facing car seat where there’s a passenger airbag - if it inflates it could kill your baby.

8. Be sure the seat doesn’t wobble about forwards or sideways.
 
9. When strapping your baby in, tighten the harness as snugly. Keep the harness buckle low, with the lap section across your baby’s pelvis, not stomach. 
 
10. Regularly check car seat for wear and straighten out any twists in the harness.

If you have any doubt about your ability to fit your car seat properly. Some nursery/baby stores have trained staff who can show you the correct way to install the seat.

If you spend some time shopping for your baby seat you will quickly find one that is exactly right for you and your baby.

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Baby's Car Seat