Choosing a car seat for your infant is an important decision requiring research and patience, especially if this is your first child. An infant that is less than 1 year old and weighing less than 20 pounds should ride in a rear-facing car seat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can buy an infant-only car seat or a convertible seat, which will carry her through the preschool years
Graco
Graco makes the SnugRide, SnugRide 32 and SnugRide 35, popular with parents and reviewers. The SnugRide is rear facing, lightweight and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Each of these models has a five-point safety harness and requires a minimum weight of 5 pounds. The SnugRide accommodates babies up to 29 inches tall weighing a maximum 22 pounds. The SnugRide 32 has a weight capacity of 32 pounds and can hold an infant up to 32 inches tall. SnugRide 35 can accommodate an infant to 35 inches and 32 pounds. As of 2010, the price of the SnugRide model ranges from $80 to $170.
If you want a convertible car seat for your infant, the Graco ComfortSport is an available option. Car seat features include a headrest for smaller babies and special padding that conforms to her body. It will accommodate a rear-facing infant up to 30 pounds, and a forward-facing child from 20 to 40 pounds. Depending on the fabric and features, the ComfortSport ranges in price from $80 to $120, as of 2010.
Britax
Britax car seats are pricier, but the manufacturer excels above the federal safety standards with extra safety features. These include an anti-rebound bar for stabilization to protect your child in a front or rear crash, according to the Consumer Search website. The Britax Chaperone is a rear-facing car seat that can hold an infant up to 32 inches tall and between 4 and 30 pounds. The car seat comes equipped with a five-point harness and costs around $230 as of 2010. The Companion seat by Britax features an energy-absorbing foam head pad that wraps around his head and torso, and the anti-rebound bar. The Companion is for babies up to 32 inches tall weighing 4 to 22 pounds, with the average cost in 2010 being $170.
In addition, Britax offers the Marathon and Boulevard CS. Both are convertible car seats with a five-point harness that accommodates a rear-facing infant weighing 5 to 35 pounds. The seat will carry her into the preschool years with a weight capacity of 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall in the front-facing capacity. As of 2010, the price range for the Britax convertible line ranges $300 to $330.
Evenflo
Evenflo offers the Embrace, a rear-facing car seat for babies 5 to 22 pounds and up to 29 inches tall. The Embrace has a five-point harness, removable head and body pillow, and a Z-shaped handle for carrying. As of 2010, the cost is $70 to $100.
Evenflo Symphony is a three-in-one car seat suitable for rear-facing, forward-facing and as a booster, making this an all-in-one convertible car seat. The seat comes with a five-point harness and the patented Surelatch, which secures the car seat by eliminating slack in the straps when you press down on the seat. The rear-facing recommendations are for an infant up to 19 inches tall and weighing 5 to 35 pounds. In the forward-facing mode, it will accommodate your child up to 50 inches and weighing 20 to 65 pounds. The booster seat option is for children up to 57 inches tall with a maximum weight of 100 pounds. The average cost in 2010 is about $200.
