Keeping your child safe is obviously the most important thing, and this includes having the right baby car seats installed in your vehicle. The only problem is; most parents don’t have any extensive knowledge in this area except to find the cheapest price. Well, the most inexpensive price from a quality product. After all, your first goal should be figuring out whether or not the baby seat for cars is going to protect your child.
During the searching process you have to address the basic safety issues. Connecting the seat belt securely is probably the first place most parents look. This should come with an integrated LATCH system or a Lower Anchor and Tether for Children. It’s what fastens the car seat to your vehicle’s seat. So whenever you’re in a normal driving situation the baby seat will stable, especially with the regular seat belt being used as well.
You should also find a baby seat that offers the Versa Tether Energy Absorbing system. If by chance you have to stop suddenly, the VTEA system holds the seat in place. A great example is the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat. Basically it keeps the seat from moving unexpectedly up to 6 inches, which is also an integrated part of the LATCH system.
EPS foam is the same kind of foam that goes into bicycle helmets and is a great addition to baby car seats. In the event of an accident, this foam is designed to divert the forces of a crash away from your baby. It also puts an extra barrier between them and hard surfaces. Then there is the HUGS harness, which is used to prevent any kind of movement, such as if you are involved in a side car crash, or even hit from behind.
While each one of these safety measures are extremely important, the safety harness is on of the biggest benefits. When you have found the right baby seat for your car it should come with a 5-point system. It should also be form fitting to compact their range of motion, and it should latch down to the seat itself. Check out the Graco Nautilus to get an idea. Since children want to learn unintentionally, the latch should be out of reach when your child is harnessed into the seat.
Comfort for your baby is also something to consider, so the car seat should have plenty of cushioning such as the Graco Nautilus Car Seat. We recommend finding something that can be detached in case it gets dirty. Therefore it should be allowed to be placed in the washer for a proper cleaning. During this time we recommend wiping down the body of the seat and using anti-bacterial wipes to get rid of any germs. A good choice is the 3-in-1 seats. They can change from rear-facing to front-facing, and basically complement your child as he or she grows. Eventually you can transform your baby car seat into a booster seat and still get the same support in the process.
We understand the cost will come into play, but don’t ever skimp on quality and safety for the overall price. We’re talking about the safety of your child, so forget about those second hand store opportunities. Used car seats have already been through a lot, and they may not have the same structural integrity as a brand new option. So how much do they cost? If you want plenty of quality in your baby’s car seat then expect to pay one hundred to two hundred dollars.