Car Seat Buying Tips

A good car seat is probably one of the most important things a new parent will buy. It can literally save your child's life in the event of a crash, and a good one will keep baby happy and comfortable on even the longest trips. However, there are plenty of parents that make mistakes when it comes time to buy a car seat. Here are some car seat purchasing guidelines to go by:

-Make sure your chosen car seat is easy to install. Most people think they're installing the seats correctly, but upon inspection, many are found to be done wrong. If the seat you want to buy comes with poor instructions, or is too complicated, pass it by.

-Buy a seat that fits your vehicle. Most are designed to fit almost all newer cars, but if your vehicle is older or more rare, you may run into problems when installing a car seat. If you have a small car or compact vehicle, consider a compact car seat like the Combi Coccoro Convertible Car Seat or the Maxi-Cosi Priori .

-Be certain that the seat meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.

-Buy a seat that is the right size for your child. All seats have a height and weight limit- but you should buy one that your child can "grow into". If your child is less than a year old, they need to ride rear-facing. After one year of age and 40 pounds, they can face the front.

-Not all seats work well with all kinds of seat belts. Before buying a seat, check your car's owner's manual.

-Check to see if the seat you want to buy is under any recalls.

-Buy a seat with a removable liner that can easily be washed (most times, a cloth seat is more comfortable)

-If possible, buy a seat that comes as part of a travel system. Here, the car seat doubles as a carrier and can be latched onto a stroller or a base that remains in the car.

Buying a car seat is important (in fact, you'll need to buy one before your baby is born, because you won't be allowed to take the baby out of the hospital without it!). By taking these few things into consideration, your baby will be more comfortable and a lot safer.