It’s essential to purchase a safe car seat for your little one. However, parents should remember there is no seat which is considered the best or the safest.
The best seat is where your child is comfortable and which is correctly installed. It should fit well into the vehicle and used every time you have to drive around.
Sometimes parents are tempted to purchase a second hand car seat. It’s essential you do not use a seat if you don’t know its history. This is why it’s often better to get used car seats from friends or family because of reliability and you might get a user manual to help you install it in your car properly.
Tips for purchasing a toddler car seat
- Never purchase a toddler car seat online especially, if it is second hand. You have to take a look at the car seat model to find out the year its manufactured. Always check the label for the date. Ask the manufacturer to find how long it can be used.
- Avoid purchasing car seats which do not come with instructions.
- When buying a car seat, look for missing parts. A car seat should have important safety parts. Ensure all parts are in an order.
- Do not buy car seats which have been in a car accident. Even seats which have been in a minor crash may not be safe to use. It is necessary to replace the seat immediately after a crash, even a minor one.
Types of car seats
It’s essential to choose the right fit for your child’s weight, height, and developmental milestones. The following are the three main categories for car seats. Purchase a seat that suits your child in every stage of their growth.
- Rear facing car seats are essential for babies because they help protect their fragile neck and spine. According to the Australian Academy of Pediatrics, all babies must ride in a rear facing car seat until they reach a specific weight and height limit indicated by the manufacturer.
- Infant car seats are rear facing and comprise of two parts. Infant car seats are compatible with strollers so it’s easy to transition from a car to a stroller.
- Convertible car seats are versatile. They offer rear facing as well as forward facing usage. When your child outgrows the rear facing weight, it can be converted into a forward facing position.
- Rotating car seats are innovative and have a swivel so you can easily access your baby when buckling them in or taking them out. These can be used in both rear and forward facing positions.
- All in one car seats are for multi stage seating transition. Start with the rear facing car seat to forward facing along with the booster seat which can be used for many years.
- Forward facing car seats are ideal when your child has transitioned to the next stage. It’s essential to understand that these car seats have specific guidelines.
Things to keep in mind before purchasing a toddler car seat
It’s essential to purchase a safe car seat for your little one. However, parents should remember there is no seat which is considered the best or the safest.
The best seat is where your child is comfortable and which is correctly installed. It should fit well into the vehicle and used every time you have to drive around.
Sometimes parents are tempted to purchase a second hand car seat. It’s essential you do not use a seat if you don’t know its history. This is why it’s often better to get used car seats from friends or family because of reliability and you might get a user manual to help you install it in your car properly.
Tips for purchasing a toddler car seat
Types of car seats
It’s essential to choose the right fit for your child’s weight, height, and developmental milestones. The following are the three main categories for car seats. Purchase a seat that suits your child in every stage of their growth.
11 months ago • Blog