Choosing the Best Car Seat: A Parent’s Guide

 

As exciting as taking your baby out for their first car ride is, the importance of safety can’t be overstated. That’s why one of the most critical things you’ll ever buy for your baby is a car seat.

 

The right car seat can keep your baby safe and comfortable at all times. But choosing the wrong seat can spell a disaster for the safety of your little angel.

 

To help you pick the best car seat for your child, we’ve put together this guide that will let you know all the essentials you need to make an educated decision.

 

So without wasting any time, let’s jump right in.

 

 

Importance of a Car Seat

 

Imagine this scenario. You’ve got guests coming over and you want to pick up some groceries before they get here. But what about your child? You can’t just carry them over as you drive to the supermarket.

 

The only solution is to invest in a car seat that will keep your child positioned safely throughout the ride. You could even leave them in the car as you quickly grab the items you need. That’s because you know your child will be safe as they can’t move outside the car seat.

 

So safety for your child and peace of mind for yourself is the number one benefit of a car seat. As a result, your baby gets to tag along with you on every ride, turning every trip into a little adventure for your little angel.

 

How to Choose a Car Seat

 

Choosing the best car seat for your child depends on many factors, including:

 

• Proper Fit. This is the first thing you need to consider. Is the car seat a good fit for your child? All you need is to read the specs on the baby seat you’re looking to buy and compare your baby’s age, weight, and height with it. For infants, it’s best to get a bucket seat whereas, for kids weighing over 20 pounds, it’s best to get a convertible car seat.
• Next, you need to consider the size of the baby seat. So many parents end up buying a car seat that’s so big that it simply won’t fit into their car. This is especially true with seats that come with buckets and benches. To make sure it will fit in your car, always read the dimensions before placing your order.
• As any experienced parent will tell you, a car seat that’s difficult to install is the last thing you need when traveling with little kids. That’s because not only is it time-consuming to install a complex seat, but without proper installation, even the safest car seats become far from secure. So when buying a car seat, look for something that has the fewest moving parts and is the easiest to install.
• Manufacturer’s Reputation. While there are regulations to make sure every car seat is safe and secure, the level of safety varies widely from one manufacturer to another. That’s why you should only buy from companies that have a solid reputation for creating sturdy and long-lasting car seats with safety features as an integral part of their design.

 

 

Car Seat FAQs

 

We’ve covered the essential factors you need to consider before buying a car seat. But as a concerned parent, you probably have a ton more questions.

 

So let’s answer some of the most common questions we get from parents like yourself about car seats.

 

 

1. Do car seats expire?

 

Absolutely. Car seats are incredibly important for the safety of your child during any road trip. For maximum protection, you have to replace the seat with a new one as often as every few years.

 

Most manufacturers set the expiry date at 6 six years from the date of manufacture. But you should change it sooner if you feel it’s not as sturdy as it used to be. It’s always better to be safer than sorry.

 

 

2. Can I put a car seat in the front seat?

 

You should never put your car seat in the front seat. That will compromise the safety of your child. Not only is it dangerous, but it’s also illegal in most countries. This is especially true if your car has an active passenger airbag in the front.

 

Not to mention, having your little one sitting by your side on the front row could distract you from driving, which has dangers of its own. So it’s generally best to put the car seat in the rear.

 

 

3. Is a car seat still good after an accident?

 

It depends. A car seat involved in a crash doesn’t automatically become unsafe.

 

However, the problem is that some seats are built so well that you won’t be able to tell if the integrity of their frame is compromised. So while it may seem as good as new on the surface, the reality might be the opposite.

 

That’s why we strongly recommend that you replace your car seat in the unfortunate event of an accident, especially if it was a moderate to severe crash.

 

 

4. Should I use an inherited seat?

 

It’s generally not a good idea to put your child in an inherited seat. However, if you know that the seat was never involved in an accident and is no older than 5 years, you could keep it. Though it would be best to get it inspected by an expert first.

 

 

5. Should I get a front-facing or rear-facing car seat?

 

If your child is age 2 or under, you should definitely go for a rear-facing car seat. In fact, the NHTSA recommends that babies should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit set by the seat manufacturer.

 

 

Where to Buy the Best Car Seat

 

Imagine this. What if there was a way you could buy the safest car seats from some of the most highly reputed brands out there? All from the comfort of your home? And that too at the most affordable pricing with zero shipping costs?

 

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it used to. But not anymore.

 

With BabyLavish, you can order comfortable car seats from proven brands at the most attractive prices, along with free shipping and a 100% price match guarantee — all from your family bedroom.

 

We realize how critical of an investment a car seat is for the future of your child. That’s why we only stock the best of the best.

 

At the same time, we realize that lavish products are outside the reach of many families, especially those living paycheck to paycheck. Keeping true to our vision of making the best baby products accessible for everyone, we now offer financing plans to help ease the financial burden. To the best of our knowledge, none of our competitors offer this.

 

So if you’re ready to give your child the gift of a safe future, order your car seat today. Trust us, it’ll be one of the best investments you’ll ever make for the future of your little one.