The Definitive Guide to Buying a Car Seat

A car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make for your baby. BabyZone's car seat guide tells you what you need to know and how to choose the right seat for your family.

When it comes to essential baby gear, a car seat is at the top of the list. In fact, you can't even leave the hospital unless your new little one is safely buckled into a seat. And believe it or not, your child needs to be secured into some sort of car seat or booster until she is taller than four feet, nine inches, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

This purchase is even more important in light of a January 2007 Consumer Reports finding. The magazine says that most of the infant car seats it tested "failed disastrously" in crashes at speeds as low as 35 mph. So, when making this very important purchase for you and your family, be sure to first consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission product recall lists and do your homework. This purchase is something you will use almost daily—every time you and your baby get in and out of your car. So, you'll want to make your choice carefully and thoughtfully.

Car Seat Basics

There are three types of car seats—infant seats, convertible seats, and booster seats. This guide focuses predominantly on infant and convertible seats.