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Your child is getting ready to outgrown the infant carrier style car seat and now is the time to start looking for a new seat. You want one that will last awhile; after all, buying a car seat is an investment. Not only an investment of money, but an investment in the safety of your child.

First things first. You need to assess the size and age of your child. How tall are they? How much does your child weigh? How old is your child. All of these factors will influence your decision. Most states have a law that states an infant must rear face to at least one year of age AND twenty pounds. That means your eighteen pound thirteen month still needs to be facing the rear of the car. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear facing as long as possible. There are several car seats on the market that allows your child to rear face to 33 or 35 pounds. You're asking yourself, how can this be? My child's legs are touching the seat, should they do that? Of course. Most children will place their feet in position that is comfortable for them. Some stretch their legs up the seat, others sit cross-legged, and still others will sit another way. There is no wrong way. A child is much safer rear facing. Their little spines are just not ready to handle the crash forces exerted on it during an accident.

A child should ride in a harnessed seat for as long as possible. It is the safest way to ride, despite the grumblings and protestations of older children still needing the harness. Think about race car drivers, they wear a five point harness, and don't you want your child to be that safe? Most seats harness to a 40 pounds, several going to 65 or 85 pounds. Also, look for the car seat to have a five point internal harness. Overhead shield convertible seats, while still on the market, are not always the safest choice. Some children are too large for them to be buckled properly, while some children are too small for them. A five point harness is easier to adjust to fit a growing child properly.
After picking the car seat, ask about the return policy of the store. Can it be returned if it doesn't fit in your vehicle? Or, better yet, ask any associate to accompany you to your car to make sure it fits. The best car seat for you to use will be on that fits your child, fits your car and can be installed and used properly each and every time it's used. Now, does it fit? Does more than 20 percent of the base of lie off the vehicle's seat?

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