Car Seats (Infant, Convertible, Booster): Buying Guide

Car seats are designed to provide protection to young children while travelling in a car. This guide explains the various types of car seats, and how to buy the right infant, convertible, booster car seat. We have also reviewed the best car seats for children of various age groups.

Type of Car Seats

Car seats are designed specifically to protect kids from injuries, in case of accidents, when travelling in a vehicle. These come with a harness that keeps the baby safe and secure, protecting them in case of a jerk or a bump.

Not using an appropriate car seat for a younger passenger is not only potentially dangerous for the child, but in most countries, it is also against the law and carries a hefty fine.

As per research, the effect of a 30mph car crash impact on a child (without appropriate restraint and protection) can be as serious as a three-storey fall.

So it makes sense to invest in a quality and versatile car seat.

However, Not all car seats are applicable for children for all ages. As your child grows, the car seat changes. So, buying the right car seat as per your child’s age and weight is very important to keep them safe and comfortable.

Basically there are 3 types of car seats for children: Infant car seats, Convertible car seats, Booster car seats

• Baby (or infant-only) car seats: These are rear facing seats (weight limit of between 22 and 35 pounds)
• Convertible (or infant-toddler) car seats: These work rear-facing as well as forward-facing. Use them as as rear-facing seats (for babies and toddlers) and forward-facing seats for older children. New models are designed to hold a child of up to 40 pounds rear-facing and up to 70 pounds forward-facing.
  
  
• Belt-positioning booster seats: Next stage for the child is to use a belt-positioning booster seat. Use the regular car lap and shoulder belts to secure your child when the child is seated on the booster. Backless boosters are also fine as it uses the car’s seat to provide support.

With an infant car seat, the carrier part of the seat often fits into stroller frames as well, and you don’t have to wake up your child while moving from the car to the stroller, which is a big plus in the early years.

Ideally, children should remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat.

Because a convertible car seat converts from rear to forward-facing, it saves you money (and there is less wastage as well) because you do not need to buy a new seat when your child is old enough for a forward-facing seat.

In case you are unsure which car seat to buy, here’s the progression you may use:

• Start with an Infant car seat
• Move to a convertible
• Combination – high back and five point harness
• Combination – high back, low back booster

Car seats nowadays can be adjusted for height for better head support; some may come with cup holders, and some give you the option to attach a toy bar.

Best Infant Car Seats

Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat and base

You can attach it into the car using the conventional belt or use the latch system. It comes with the base, offers soft, comfortable padding, ample support for infants, Light in weight, wide shoulder straps, has multiple shoulder strap positions but only one crotch buckle position.

Read: More infant car seats reviewed here.

Best Convertible Car Seats

These are versatile as it allows you to use the car seat as forward facing and also as rear-facing, depending on the age of your child.

Britax Boulevard Convertible

The Boulevard supports child size of (5 – 40 pounds) for rear-facing and (20 – 65 pounds) for forward-facing. It has an energy-absorbing shell and foam headrest. An indicator lets you know if the harness is tightened properly.

Read: More Convertible Car Seats reviewed here.

Best Booster Car Seats

Read: More Booster Car Seats reviewed here.

Best All-in-One Car Seats

When you use an all-in-one car seat, your child needs to use just one car seat from birth to seat-belt-only age.

These are designed for kids from infants to booster-seat age (around 7 to 10 years old). The concept of paying for just one seat for all these years is very tempting to most parents, however there’s one thing that you need to be aware of. By covering such a wide age range, most seats seem less effective than the seats that are designed for dedicated purposes. Most of these all-in-one seats typically are jacks-of-all-trades.

There are many who recommend all-in-one car seat as a “fill in” option and not as the primary-use seat. Besides, if you think in practical terms, can a seat really last for 10 years (what about durability and cleanliness)?

However, if you want something as a transition seat between children, or as an extra seat for a relative’s car, all-in-ones make financial sense, and these examples are fine choices.

Car Seat Accessories

Depending on the age of your child, you may need accessories such as Buntings and foot-muffs, Head supports and pillows, Car seat toys, Sunshades, Stickers / Decals, and more.

Read: Best Kids Car Seat Accessories .

Car Seat: Buying Guide

Types of Car Seats: Based on Age and Weight

Different types of baby car seats are available depending upon the weight and age of a child.

These seats are made of foam padding, fabric covers, and harness.

These products are designed to maintain the correct angle so that the baby’s head does not fall forward while the car is in motion. Besides, a baby car seat should not be used for more than 6 years, as they need to be periodically re-examined by manufacturers.

What is an Infant Car Seat?

Infant car seats often double as infant carriers, and provide the convenience of attaching to a stroller. Infant car seats should always be placed in the car facing the rear.

Each infant seat has a specified weight range for the baby that should be carefully followed. Many infant car seats also have position levelling guides to ensure proper installation.

Infant car seats are ideal for babies from the time they are born to about the time till they are around 2 years old. However, some babies may outgrow the infant seat faster than others. Infant car seats are designed to be placed in the rear facing position and can carry an infant of up to 22-35 pounds.

Infant car seats can also be detached and carried around while you shop or step out of the car for other activities. You can also attach it to your stroller without having to disturb or move your baby. Rear facing car seats help in giving vital support to your child’s neck.

What is a Convertible Car Seat?

A convertible car seat can be used for infants and toddlers, but must be positioned appropriately for the age and weight of the child.

Children under 2 years of age should always be rear-facing. Once a child has surpassed the convertible car seat’s weight for rear-facing children, the child can be turned front-facing and continue to use the 5-point safety harness. They may continue to use the seat until they reach the seat’s weight limit.

Convertible or combination car seats are apt for kids from the time they are born till they are toddlers. These car seats are heavier and bigger than infant car seats.

They are designed for both rear facing (from age 0-2 years) and front facing (from age 2 years onwards) positions. In a way, the convertible car seat is worth your investment since you can use it for a longer period of time however, some parents may find it slightly bigger in size and difficult to use for an infant. They also cannot be used as a carrier like in the case of an infant car seat.

There is another variety called as the 3-in-1 car seat which is a combination of convertible car seat and the booster car seat. Some of them are designed for forward facing and rear facing positions.

However, there are some models that are only front facing and meant for older toddlers, hence care should be taken before purchasing them.

The only downside of a convertible car seat is that you can’t easily carry your infant in it. It’s not designed to be very portable, like an infant seat.

When buying convertibles seats, make sure you get something with sturdy seats, high weight limits and somewhat higher harness slots (for both both rear and front facing). If you’ve got a tiny child, it’d be ok, but for average or big kids it can get uncomfortable.

What is a Booster Car Seat?

Booster car seats are meant for children aged 4 and above. Once your child outgrows the convertible car seat, you need to switch them to booster car seats. They are forward facing car seats and have a minimum weight requirement of 30-40 pounds approximately.

A booster seat is a firm cushion of foam or plastic that raises the child higher in the car to improve position and angle of the shoulder belt on school-aged children. There should be slots or hooks for the lap belt to keep it low on the child’s hips and thighs. Most boosters include a shoulder belt guide that can be used to pull the shoulder belt slightly lower. It is very important that the seat belt crosses the center of the shoulder and chest and does not cross their neck. Most children need to ride in a booster seat from 4 years old until age 10-12 years old.

You should try out the booster car seats with your child before purchasing them because they come with their own set of harnesses and belts and in order to check for comfort, it is recommended that you do a trial run.

Travel System vs Convertible Car Seat: Differences

A travel system includes infant car seat with a base and a stroller, the infant seat snaps to the stroller so you don’t have to pick the baby and put in the stroller. The carseat with the travel system is an infant carseat, which will last for 8 to 12 months (depending upon baby’s size). Travel systems that include both stroller AND infant seat are a single-purchase package.

The convertible is a carseat that is used after the child outgrows the infant seat, and is mostly rear facing. Sometimes it’s a step between an infant seat and a toddler seat. Other times it can be used all the way up to the point where you need a booster seat (usually at age four).

So if you buy a travel system, you will still need to buy a second car seat (convertible) after the first year.

There are some parents who prefer a sling to carry their babies, as they feel babies were meant to be held, not put in seats all the time.

Also, infant car seats were meant to be used in the car or stroller – not everywhere else. Even the manual usually states: ‘not for use in the house, boat, or anywhere else besides a passenger vehicle’. A sling is easier and allows your hands to be free (much better for grocery shopping, dining, etc. you name it!) Also, babies like it better.

There are some parents who don’t buy an infant carrier, but straight away go in for a convertible. If you’re going to do that, get a convertible that has the infant padding in it. But this option can work; if you’re really looking to cut costs, you may cut the infant seat out of your shopping plan (you’ll have to get a convertible when he/she outgrows the infant seat anyways).

Safety Considerations

When should older kids start using regular lap and shoulder belts?

There is a simple five-step test to decide if your child is ready to graduate from a booster seat.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder below the neck?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best protection.

What is the best position for a lap and shoulder belt for older kids and adults?

Typically when a child is at least 4’9” tall or 80 pounds, it is not necessary for them to ride in a booster seat, and can sit in a regular seat belt. The seat belt should be positioned across the upper thighs, not the belly, and across the middle of the chest and shoulders, not the neck or throat.

More safety recommendations for traveling with kids

• Keep them in their car seats/seat belts. Pull over at a rest area if a child needs to get out of his or her seat.
• Carry a first aid kit, jumper cables, a can of flat tire fix, flares, bottled water, blankets and a working mobile phone if possible, in case you become stranded for an extended period of time and have to wait for help.
• Keep kids occupied with travel games, books, conversation and videos so that they do not become fidgety and distract the driver.
• Use your headlights any time you travel.
• Don’t drink alcohol and drive.
• Remain alert; it’s more often “the other guy” who isn’t paying attention, so you need to.

General car safety tips

• While a child can legally travel in the front seat, its safer to travel in the back seat.
• It’s important to choose a car seat that is the best one for the weight and height of your child
• Use the car seat even on short journeys.
• Before you buy a car seat, try it out to see everything works fine – the restraint and the buckle should stay in place and not move to the side.
• If you are dropping of your child at your grandparents place, make sure the car seat fits their car, and they are aware of how to use the car seat.

Remember that car seats are for the car, and other than short trips to and from or a quick run into a store for an errand or getting through the airport etc., it’s safest not to put baby in the car seat in the stroller and instead use a lay-flat stroller or carrycot or wear or hold the baby. Car seats aren’t a safe sleep environment and even healthy, full term newborns can experience loss of oxygen with extended time in a car seat (along with other problems that can come with extended use such as flattening of the head).

Buying a Car Seat: Factors to Consider

Factors to consider when choosing the best Car Seats for kids.

Buying a Car Seat: Factors to Consider

• Safety: Look for a five-point safety harness which are the best and safest harness straps. But also ensure that the harness straps are not too tight around your child which could make him/her uncomfortable. Read on safety features of car seats and ask questions to the manufacturer in case of any doubts.
• Comfort: A car seat should also be comfortable for your child. It should be well padded and give good support and shield in case of a bumpy ride.
• Ease of use: A car seat should be easy to install without you having to haggle with it every time you attach and detach it. Look for a product that can be quickly unhooked from the base. However, the car seat should also be able to firmly latch on to the base and hold it securely in case of a bumpy drive.
• Adjustability: Its best if you buy a car seat that adapts to your growing child. So, look out for harnesses that can be adjusted. Some car seats offer one-hand belt adjustments with quick-release buckles etc. You also get All-in-one car seats (can be used rear facing, forward facing and as a booster).
• Should be Easy to Use and to make adjustments (multiple recline positions, multiple headrest positions, 5-points harness, etc). Some car seats offer extra features like side-impact protection, extra padding, easy cleaning features etc.
• Price: There are several models available for varying budgets, and come with good features. So, you can buy the best and yet, stay within the budget.

Plan in advance for the car seat. You can start looking for a car seat from the beginning of the pregnancy which gives you enough time to scout for attractive offers and deals during holiday or festival season.

You can also look at buying combo deals such as a baby travel system, which will include a stroller and a car seat. Combo deals at times turn out to be cheaper than purchasing the same items separately.

Also Read: Benefits of using a baby travel system.