How to Choose the Best Car Seat for Your Child

As a new parent, you’re exposed to a world of new decisions. You have to choose between prams, a cot and clothes for the new addition to your family. One vital choice parents have to make is what car seat they’re going to take their newborn home in or what seat they should upgrade to as their child gets older.

The Importance of a Good Car Seat

You might wonder why so much thought and consideration goes into choosing a car seat, but the reality is that a good or bad car seat could make a huge difference if you’re ever in an accident. Car seats that are of bad quality or second-hand might have manufacturing flaws in them that could risk the life of your child.

Likewise, second-hand car seats could have wear and tear that makes them less reliable than when they were new. Again, this poses a risk to your child’s safety. Think about it like this, the chances of having a life-threatening accident aren’t extremely high, but they’re still there. Wouldn’t you want to ensure that your child is as safe as they can be?

Types of Car Seats

Before we get into how to choose a car seat for your baby, let’s cover the types of car seats there are to choose from:

• Infant car seats: These are usually rear-facing and are made for newborns to 1 year olds. These car seats are secured with the LATCH system or safety belts
• The convertible: You’d get this car seat for kids that are slightly older, toddlers to 4 years old. These seats can be forward-facing or rear-facing, providing you the convenience of both positions
• All-in-one car seats: These give you the whole package: a rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seat. This kind of seat will work for newborns to 10 years old
• Booster seat: The booster seat is for kids who’ve outgrown the car chair but aren’t fully ready to use the standard car seats yet.

How to Choose the Best Car Seat for Your Child

Now, down to the meat of this article: how to choose a car seat for your child. Here are a few tips that you can use to choose a car seat for your child:

Consider height and weight

Kids are all different. Some younger kids might be heavier and taller than older ones, so you’d have to purchase a seat for older age groups. That’s why we say to consider height and weight over their age.

Age Groups

Age is another factor that is more specified by the law. Here are the age requirements placed on different car seats by the Australian Government:

• Babies up to 6 months: rear-facing car seat or baby capsule.
• Children 6 months to 4 years: rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with harness.
• Children 4 to 7 years: car seat with harness or booster seat with seatbelt.

Safety

Safety is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a car seat. We’d suggest looking for a car seat that’s been tested and passed with the AS/NZS 1754 standard approval sticker on it.

Quality

Ever heard the saying that the poor man always has to buy twice? While this isn’t a knock on those who struggle financially, it does illustrate the point that when you buy cheap, you get bad quality that doesn’t last. We’d suggest looking for a car seat that’s made with quality materials so that it lasts your child.

Comfort

Experienced parents know just how much difference a comfortable car seat makes. When babies are uncomfortable, they struggle to sleep, which results in crying. When comparing different car seats, look for ones that are equally comfortable and breathable so that they help them regulate their temperature and stay comfortable at the same time.

When Should You Upgrade?

This largely depends on the car seat you buy. If you buy an all-in-one car seat, then you’ll have one car seat that’ll work for your child until they’re ready to use adult seats. However, if you choose a car seat for a newborn, then you’ll need to upgrade as your child grows out of that particular car seat. Anchor:

Final Thoughts

Being a new parent is an exciting time! Don’t let the small things take too much of your time but still be well prepared. When considering the type and quality of car you’ll need for your family, ensuring reliable transport should be a priority. EchoPark in Houston offers a wide range of high-quality used cars that can fulfill your family’s needs while offering great value. Follow the tips above and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect car seat for your child. We wish you all the best! Happy parenting!