An infant, rear-facing car seat is required for at least your child's first year of life, after which he can be switched to a forward-facing car seat, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. The best car seat for your infant is one that has been tested for safety, and one that you can use properly every time. Price, appearance and amenities are not the things you should consider. To choose the best car seat, consider ease of use, safety rating, and size and weight requirements to keep your baby safe.
Step 1
Look online for safety ratings, customer reviews and recommendations before shopping. This can give you a good idea of which car seats received better crash test ratings, and which seats parents liked the best so you know what brands to look for at the store.
Step 2
Visit a store that carries baby products. Understand that if a car seat is on the shelf, it has passed all of the necessary government tested and has been deemed safe enough for children. All available car seats are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. To keep your baby safe, you'll need to choose the one that you can use perfectly.
Step 3
Practice installing the car seat if possible. At the very least, you should be able to understand know how the car seat is secured in the car, and how to use the LATCH systems. Practice clipping the front buckles to make sure it is easy for you to do and you can do it properly. You may find that some car seats are easier to operate and install than others. Making sure you choose a car seat you can use perfectly 100 percent of the time will keep your child the safest.
Step 4
Ask a sales associate if you can place the car seat in your car with their supervision. You'll need to be sure the seat and bench angles in your car facilitate perfect use of the car seat. Most car seats have a level on the side, so you can see if you've installed it at the correct angle. This is also an ideal time to ensure that you can install it properly. Some stores have display car seats for this purpose.
Step 5
Avoid purchasing used car seats. Car seats expire after five years in most states, meaning they are no longer safe for use, notes CarSeat.org. While the expiration date is stamped on the car seats, the car seat is also unsafe if it has ever been in an accident, no matter how minor. If you purchase a used seat, you have no guarantee that it is safe for your child to ride in.
