Tips For Buying the Best Car Seat

Baby's first car seat will be in use for awhile, from birth until they reach 40 lbs, depending on the model. They're designed to give newborns and small babies a precise fit while securing them in a rear-facing position.

Despite the weight range, most kids will grow out of their first seat in height far before they reach the weight limit.

So, your little one has hit that 40-lb mark, grown too tall, or reached their first birthday. Whichever comes first, it's time for an upgrade, and the convertible seat comes next.

These seats can hold children up to 65 lbs, with a weight limit that's accommodating for growing bodies and both rear and forward-facing installation options. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the convertible seat as the safest option on the road.

If your seat has multiple installation options, it's vital to keep your state laws in mind. For all children younger than one or those weighing under 20 lbs, rear-facing isn't just an option; it's the law.

Some states keep this law in place until children reach 2 years old, and some seats can stay rear-facing until children are 50 lbs.

A booster seat helps bridge the gap between a car seat and your vehicle's built-in seating, using the car's own seat belt to keep kids safely secured. They're meant for kids who have outgrown car seats but are still small enough that the seatbelt won't keep them secure on the regular seat.

Boosters should raise children up so the belt fits correctly without restricting them. High-back versions provide better positioning with added protection from side impacts.

Many states have booster laws in place. Rhode Island is the strictest: children must weigh 80 lbs before they can safely use a front-facing car seat, and they're required to use a booster seat until 8 years old. Indiana has the most lax laws; children can start using a booster seat at just 30 lbs.

Regardless of the regional rules, police recommend that children don't use a front-facing car seat until they're about 40 lbs.

If you want just one car seat that you use your child's entire life, this is the one. All-in-one options keep little ones secure from 4 to 50 lbs when installed rear-facing or 20 to 65 lbs when installed forward-facing. There's even a booster mode that can secure children over 100 lbs!

On the downside, these models are heavy-duty, not detachable, and can be difficult to squeeze into smaller vehicles.

Purposefully designed for toddlers who reach each state's height, weight, and age limits to sit facing forward, these booster seats transition from a standard car seat to a convenient on-the-go booster simply by removing the harness. They can hold small children from 20 all the way up to 90 lbs.

LATCH stands for Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children, and they're mandatory in all vehicles built post-2002. With a weight limit that reaches 65 lbs, they keep kids sturdy for the long haul.  LATCH connectors have hook, push-on or lower anchor connectors attached to the carseat on one side and to the car on the other. Link the two, and your little one is safely secured.

Adjustable harness systems are a key component of any car seat, and they require recalibration as your child grows.

The harness should be tight enough to secure your child without excess fabric remaining around the shoulder area. Those harness straps should rest around your child's shoulders when it's rear-facing, and above the shoulders when it's in a forward position.

Specific to forward-facing seats, tether straps anchor the car seat to the vehicle seat. They keep your entire setup secure, reducing potential injuries and ensuring a more comfortable ride.

On another note, recline indicators give your children a more comfortable (and age-appropriate) angle when the seat's installed rear-facing.