If you want to buy a child car seat but you don’t know where to start, this buying guide will help you choose whether a convertible car seat is the best choice for your child.
Well, we all know how confusing this task is especially if it is your first time. You want to buy an ideal product that will suit the needs of your child and yours too. So, taking the time to read this guide on how to choose the best baby car seat will help you to keep them safe when traveling. Continue reading below for useful buying guide tips.
- See Also: Best Baby Car Seats in 2016
Top 10 Best Sellers: Convertible Car Seats on Amazon
Before we go any further, here is the current top 10 list of best sellers on Amazon. This list is updated DAILY based on actual Amazon sales data. So you can see what other customers are buying, as they are voting with their wallets. Below is the top 10 list of convertible car seats.
[amazon bestseller=”convertible car seats”]
What is a child car seat?
These are seats that are specifically designed to protect a child from getting injured or dying during a car collision. Baby car seats are required legally in most countries to transport kids who are aged 2 and below.
There are several different types of child car seats. Some are specifically designed for babies and are considered infant car seat, while others are designed for older kids called toddler car seat. For older kids there such things as “booster seats”. And finally, there’s the “convertible car seat” which are designed to convert as your child grows.
Benefits of Using or Owning a Child Car Seat
A baby car seat is important to any parent (especially those who own a car) because it will keep the child safe and protected. They are specifically designed to minimize the injury risk. You need to get the best seat for your child depending on their age and size. Using a wrong type of seat or installing it incorrectly will put your child at risk.
How to Pick the Best Child Car Seat
The car seat technology has improved tremendously in the previous years. This has made it tough for most parents to select a car seat for their children. However, there are essential things you need to consider as you choose the best child car seat such as:
Can you use it easily? Every parent asks this question when shopping for a car seat. Which is the safest seat? Even though all the seats sold on the market have to meet the standards, the key question is if the design makes the seat easy to use. As you shop, be sure to check different seats. Try buckling and unbuckling the harness- stiffen the harness and then loosen it. Consider adjusting the height of the harness. You may also release the car seat from its base and then return it back in. All these pointers will assist you to know how the seat works and also identify the one that offers smooth mechanics.
Can it fit in the car? Compatibility issues between cars and car seats are very common. Different seats have different dimensions. So, the best thing is to try fitting it into the car before buying it. Ensure that there’s sufficient space between the front seat of your car and the car seat.
Will the seat fit your child? This is the most difficult question because most parents tend to purchase the seat before the child is born. Some seats are suitable for babies weighing up to 22 pounds while others can handle up to 35 pounds. If you are expecting twins, consider seats with a lower weight. But, if big babies run in the family, pick a seat with extra room. Otherwise, you can wait until your child is born and then buy the seat.
Is it comfortable? The best seat should be comfortable for both you and your child. Try to avoid fabrics that are not breathable. Also, you will be schlepping the seat a lot. Note that some seats are heavier and some handles are comfortable than others. Hold the seat to know if it feels like a manageable load.
If you still require more information on choosing the best car seat or you need guidance on installation, watch this video.
Things to Avoid or Main Drawbacks About Child Car Seat
Since car seats come in different brands, you need to make sure that the straps of the seat can be adjusted easily as the child grows. You want to opt for straps that won’t need to be rethreaded. Most brands have adjustment handles behind the seat or pull cords between the child’s legs. This means you won’t have to rethread the straps.
Conclusion
With all this information, choosing a car seat for your child should be an easy task. Do not keep all this to yourself; you also want other parents who are struggling to get these tips too. You will find many brands in your local store or at Amazon. Ensure you go through the reviews of different seats so that you can choose the one that suits your needs.
