If you are anything like me you might not remember child seats being that big of a deal when you were young.  I’m probably just aged myself quite a bit but we simply didn’t know as much back then as we do now about child car safety.  Truth is, the proper seat is absolutely critical to the safety of your young one.

When traveling in a car with a child, it is important to consider his or her safety at all times. While it is easy enough for you to strap yourself in with a seatbelt, the same does not hold true for children.

Not having your child in the right type of seat is a mistake you cannot afford to make. This will jeopardize the child’s well being while also putting you in position to be reprimanded by the law.

There are four general types of car seats to consider. The type that you use is going to be based mainly on the age and size of the child.

Infant Seats

These are rear-facing seats that can be used for a child from birth up to approximately 35 pounds.

Many of these seats have a handle that allows you to easily move the seat from the car to the stroller. Additionally, you are often able to use the same car seat for multiple vehicles as long as you have an extra base.

Convertible Seats

At first, a convertible seat is rear-facing. However, it can be turned around to forward-facing at the appropriate time. It is recommended that the seat faces the rear until the child is two years old.

When compared to an infant seat, this type will accommodate your child for a longer time. That being said, the drawback is that you will not be able to remove the seat as easily from the vehicle.

Toddler Seats

With a toddler seat and five-point harness combination, your child will face forward. After your child is no longer able to be harnessed by the belt, your car’s seatbelt can be used in correspondence with the seat.

Believe it or not, there are some toddler seats that are able to accommodate children in the 100-pound range.

Booster Seats

Has your child outgrown his or her toddler seat? With a booster seat, you are able to use your car’s seatbelt while still ensuring the safety of your child. This is the perfect option for child who are too big for a toddler seat but not quite ready to use an adult seat belt.

How to Buy a Car Seat

Now that you know more about the four types of car seats, you need to consider which one is best for your vehicle and child. With so many options on the market, you will have plenty of choices spanning a large range of prices.

Above all else, you need to know which type of car seat (listed above) is best for your child at the present time. It goes without saying that you may have to purchase more than one car seat over the years, waiting for the time that your child is finally old enough to ride with nothing more than the car’s seatbelt.

As you search for the perfect car seat, focus on these details:

• The make and model
• The safety features
• The price

As long as the seat meets all current safety standards, you don’t have anything to worry about. With this in mind, you can shop all your options in the price range you are comfortable with.

No matter if you have a baby on the way or have been traveling with your child for many years, make sure you know your options. The more knowledge you have the better chance there is that you will be able to keep your child safe at all times, no matter how long he or she is in the car.