5 Features Every Modifiable Child Car Seat should Have

For babies and infants weighing less than 20 pounds, there are two types of car seats available in the market: the infant car seats and the convertible car seats or infant-toddler car seats. The latter category of car seats can face forward and backwards and are for babies weighing up to 70 pounds. Manufacturers have also come up with car seats that can face forwards, backwards and also change to booster seats for later stages. These are appropriately named 3-in-1 car seats. In this car seat buying guide we will discuss the important features every parent should consider while buying car seats for their baby. This will help the decision making process for parents.

Naturally, in this aspect; safety is the first and most important feature that you should consider. This is the most important feature that should not be taken lightly. The LATCH and tether system is offered by most car manufacturers and this makes the installation of the convertible car seats a lot easier than in vehicles which do not have this LATCH system. The LATCH system basically involves hooks and anchors on the top side of the car backseats and also tethers in the region where the bottom cushion meets the backrest of the cars. Most vehicles manufactured after 2002 and later have these anchors. The convertible car seats for your baby has corresponding anchors and hooks that can fit in the seat's hooks.

The second feature is the ease of installation. This point goes hand-in-hand with the first factor. This means that your car seat should be easy to install, yet safe. If your convertible car seats is not installed properly; there are greater chances of injury, even death, in case the car is involved in a crash. The NHTSA has also given car seat ratings to guide parents in finding car seats that are simple to install and at the same time are safe enough. There also should be five point safety harness systems which include straps for both shoulders and a strap that goes in between the baby's legs. These are important safety features in a convertible car seat. Many car seats have adjustable buckles on their back side. It is best to steer clear of these and use convertible car seats that have either automatic adjustment or front belt adjustments.

Another factor to consider is the wash ability of the seat. Babies are bound to have accidents and spills, so you need covers that are easy to wash and durable.

The convertible car seats should also be comfortable. You do not want an uncomfortable, cranky child do you? So you need an infant-toddler seat that gives plenty of room for the baby to move and also enough room to check the view outside the window. Besides this, the seat should have enough padding for the baby to rest his/her head and back comfortably.

The last factor, also an important one, is the cost of the car seats. There are high end models that have all the above features, along with higher weight limits. These naturally last you longer and you can use them for years. Parents on a budget can also buy cheaper models below hundred bucks. These may or may not have all the aforementioned features. Naturally, you need to choose wisely as per your needs and priorities.

Don't get overwhelmed through a brand names as well as the types, here's the top suggestions you must look out initially: convertible car seat reviews. In case your newborn is too small and does not fit in a modifiable seats, check out top rated infant car seats.