Do I need to buy both an infant car safety seat and a toddler car safety seat?

Theoretically no.   There are ``convertible" car seats on the market. These are larger car seats rated for a child up to 65 pounds, depending on  the model, and can be installed rear facing until the baby is ready to face forward- somewhere between 12-18 months old. At that point the car seat would be uninstalled, turned around and reinstalled forward facing.

Keep in mind that, in most states, a newborn must be rear facing until they reach twenty pounds. This is typically seven to ten months. Some safety groups advocate that the child remain rear facing for at least one year or up to 30 pounds.

The consumer, therefore, can buy the larger convertible safety seat and use it for four plus years. Great Beginnings recommends  buying a newborn safety seat; one which is rated from birth to 20 pounds and allows the parents to enjoy the convenience of a carrier which snaps into a specially designed base which remains belted via the seat belts in the vehicle. Most parents choose to purchase an extra base for the second car or for when a Grandparent is watching the baby.

Most parents find that the convenience of the infant carrier style car seat alluring. When baby is old enough to graduate to a convertible car seat they can remain in it until a booster seat is required.  The most popular infant carrier seats are the Snugride  by Graco, the Companion by Britax and the Perego Primo Viaggio.  Expect to pay $80- 200  for these seats.

Popular Convertible car seats are made by Britax, and Graco.  Britax, Europe's most popular car seat has been  in the U. S. sinse the late 90's and is doing well. Britax's best selling car seat, the Marathon,  which is designed to face rearward and frontfacing depending on the age/weight of the child. In the rear facing mode, it carries a safety rating of 5 to 30 pounds, instead of the normal 20 pound top limit for most rear facing seats. It also has a provision for a tether which straps the seat securely in place in either the rear or front facing positions. When front facing, the Marathon  carries a child between 20 and 65 pounds.  In addition, the Britax car seat is one of the only car seat tested for front and side impact accidents.  All American car seats only test for front impact accidents at 30 miles per hour.  That averages out to 2 cars going 15 miles per hour!  Not too fast for today's drivers!!  Britax, as a result of their testing also introduced side impact protection in their car seats by using the same material that motorcycle and bicycle helmets use to protect their passengers.  Ask one of Great Beginnings knowledgeable salespersons to show you the pros and cons of each car seat available.

You'll probably feel extra cautious taking your baby on his first car ride home from the hospital. The best way to protect your fragile little one on the road is to make sure he is safely in his car seat.

Position: Until your baby is both one year old and 20 pounds, he should ride in the back seat in a rear-facing safety seat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This way the baby won't be hurt by an airbag and you won't be distracted caring for him while driving.

Snug fit: Fasten the car seat firmly in the car so it is level and doesn't slide from side to side. Once it's installed, don't toss out the car seat instructions—you'll need them later to adjust the seat as the baby grows. (Remember to send in the registration card for your car seat, in case of a recall.)

Making baby comfy: Your brand-new baby will look so tiny in his car seat. To keep his head from flopping forward, use a special u-shaped pillow around his head. Set the shoulder straps at the lowest slot. Put the straps over the shoulders, adjusting the harness so one finger fits between the baby's chest and the strap. The chest clip should be even with the child's armpits.

Check it out: Call your state transportation safety department to find where your car seat can be checked for proper installation. Some hospitals, fire stations and police departments also provide this service.
 

Statistics reveal that over 80% of the car seats in use today are installed incorrectly. Here is an overview of the top errors parents make when it comes to installing and using a child’s car seat.

• Not installing the car seat tight enough. It is very important to make sure the child’s car seat doesn't move more than approximately one inch from side to side or front to back. Check the car seat manufacturer's instruction manual to make sure you are correct in where to thread the car’s seat belt through the child’s restraint seat. It is also important to consult your vehicle's owners manual to determine whether you must use a locking clip to secure the car’s seat belt. Be sure to install the locking clip next to the belt plate.
• Moving your baby forward facing too soon and/or using a carseat that isn’t age/size appropriate.   Babies should be in the rear-facing position, in either an infant carrier (a seat with a carrying handle) or a convertible seat (a seat you can turn forward when your baby is big enough) from birth until they are one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds, whichever comes last. If your infant has not reached 12 months old, but is so tall that his head reaches the top of the infant carrier, you need to switch him into a convertible seat but continue to keep him facing rear – consult the infant carrier’s size recommendations in its owners manual and it is usually also listed on the side of the carrier.  Most convertible car seats accommodate children in the rear facing position up to 20 pounds – some Britax models up to 30 lbs - and forward facing position until they weigh about 40 pounds – some seats can go up to 65 lbs. As a side note, states are passing legislation requiring 8 years/ 80 lbs in a child restraint system.
• Purchasing the wrong car seat for your car.  There are some car seats that install better in certain cars than others. Probably the only way to know which car seats work best in your car is through trial and error. It is best to go to a baby store and ask to install several different models in your car until you find one that fits secure and you are able to properly use the car seat. At Great Beginnings we always preach that the two most important purchases you make for your baby are the car seat and the mattress. Your local firehouse, hospital and local government agencies can be a great place to start to find certified car seat installation techs. On the web you can visit www.safekids.org , to find out when and where the next car-seat safety check will be held in your area. In the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland areas, Great Beginnings can assist you in making an appointment.
• Positioning the harness height incorrectly for your baby. Refer to the car seat's instruction manual to determine the proper harness height. Some harnesses should sit level with your infant's shoulders, others should be set just below. You will need to continue to adjust the harness height as your baby grows. As a general rule, shoulder harnesses should use the slot at or below he child’s shoulders for rear facing, and at or above for forward facing seats.
• Not tightening the harness snug enough. Adjust the car seat harness so you can not slide more than two fingers between the harness and your baby’s body. And make sure that the chest clip is at your baby's armpit level to help keep the harness in place in the event of an accident.

For more car seat safety tips, go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov  and check under the "child passenger safety" section. You can also use the www.safekids.org site for tips and related information.  Most car seat manufacturers also offer step-by-step installation tips on their web sites.

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