One of the most important pieces of equipment you will buy for your newborn is the car seat. If you stop to think about how much time is spent in the car, especially if you have other and older children, you would be astounded. Then when you look at the number of accidents on the road, whether small fender benders to serious incidents with drunk drivers, you now understand just how crucial buying a quality car seat for your baby is.
Years ago, families would leave the hospital with the baby in tow and no car seat. Today, most hospitals have a strict policy of “no car seat – no taking the baby home”. Because this issue is so important, many hospitals are also offering the rental and even purchase of quality car seats. However, if you prefer, you can purchase a baby car seat anytime during the pregnancy so you will be prepared once the birth takes place.
As you shop around, get ready to find an overwhelming variety. Now, if you want something simple but safe, then you could purchase the design with a base, which is then buckled to the actual car seat. The benefit to this style is that the car seat can be removed from the base, transforming into a baby carrier, which then saves you the need to purchase yet another piece of equipment.
Another option for a baby car seat is the convertible. In this case, the car seat is usually placed in the backward-facing position until the baby outgrows it. At that point, the convertible is simply turned around to the front-facing position until the time the baby reaches at least 40 pounds. Regardless of the type of car seat you buy, we strongly suggest you go with one that offers a five-point harness. With this, the baby is securely positioned in the car seat to include being buckled at the chest and bottom.
When buying a baby car seat, you want to choose a reputable model. Sometimes, you can find quality pieces of baby equipment and furniture from your local thrift store, consignment store, or at an estate sale or auction. Most importantly, make sure you buy only the style that meets today’s safety standards. Even if the car seat looks to be in near-new condition and the person selling makes a great sales pitch, the safety of your child is up to you so if you are not sure, do not buy.
For optimal safety, your baby should always be placed in the car seat in the back seat and in the backward-facing position until age one or 18 pounds. At that time, the car seat can be placed in the forward-facing position but again, kept in the back seat. Unfortunately, the power of airbags has been known to save lives but when involving an infant, results can be dangerous, if not deadly, which is why the car seat needs to be in the back of the car.
At the time when your baby is at least 40 pounds, another change in car seat would be needed. This time, you would change in the car seat for what is known as a “booster seat”, similar to the booster seats offered in restaurants. With this solution, the baby is buckled in safe and secure using the car’s regular seat belts. The best guideline to follow is that from the time of birth to age 12, keep the children buckled in while in the back seat.