Baby Car Seats| Graco Car Seats| Baby Car Seat

You have a choice of two basic styles for an infant who weighs less than 20 lbs. and is under a year old: infant car seats, which are covered in this article, and infant-toddler car seats. For more details on this essential child safety item, read our articles on the basics of car seats and how to install a car seat. Or talk to other parents on our Car Safety Tips bulletin board.

Given the option of an infant-toddler car seat (also called a convertible car seat), why bother with an infant seat? The most important reason is safety. Although most newborns will fit in an infant-toddler car seat, experts agree that babies under 20 lbs. are better off in the smaller infant car seats. They're contoured to securely hold newborns and offer good support in all the right places. (Note that some infant car seats can handle infants weighing up to 22 lbs.)

An infant car seat is also much more convenient for you. The lightweight car seat can double as an infant carrier, feeding chair, or rocker. That means you can take your child from one destination to another without waking him up. With an infant-toddler car seat, you have to unbuckle your baby and transfer him to a stroller or other carrier.

What to look for when buying one

• Easy installation: If it looks as if you'd need an engineering degree to install a certain seat in your car, keep shopping. If you don't install the seat correctly, the baby may not be properly restrained — buckling in your child is not enough. Next, look for a seat with a base that you can permanently install in your car. Then all you need to do is settle the seat securely into the base, buckle up your child, and go. Some infant seats need to be refitted after each use. The last thing you want is to have to make adjustments every time you drive somewhere — you'll be hassled and your child's safety could be compromised.

• Adequate restraints: Look for an infant seat with a five-point safety harness. The straps — one for each shoulder, one for each thigh, and one between your baby's legs — are more adjustable (and thus safer) for an infant than plastic shields or T-bar restraints, which may be found in used seats. (Note: For safety reasons, we don't recommend buying used seats.)

• Belt adjustments: Avoid seats that require you to adjust the buckle from the back of the seat. The better car seats allow you to make adjustments from the front and have raised belt slots for buckling ease. A few models even adjust automatically.

• Tethers: Beginning September 2002, all new child safety seats and vehicles must be compatible with the LATCH system, short for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system is designed to make installation of a car seat easier and safer by attaching it directly to the vehicle instead of using the seat belt to secure it. Rear-facing infant car seats will be required to have the lower anchors only. Convertible infant/toddler car seats (those that can face front or rear) and front-facing toddler seats will be required to have both the upper and lower attachments.

• Washability: Babies and messes go hand in hand. But some manufacturers ignore this universal truth, and a surprising number of car seats come with pad covers you can't take off. Be smart: Buy one with a machine-washable detachable cover.

• Comfort: Your baby will have a better ride if you buy a well-padded seat with plenty of head support.

What it's going to cost you
The same car seat may sell for widely different prices, so shop around. Generally, infant seats start at about $60. Also, many hospitals rent infant seats at a very reasonable cost.