We both know how difficult it is to keep children comfortable while on road. The fact is that they find it difficult to sit upright or just hold on till the journey is over. Although there’s little we can do about it, we can at least try to get some comfortable car seats for them. If they are comfortable, they are less likely to fidget and cause trouble. In this short article, we are going to provide a comprehensive guide and advices on how to buy the best car seat for your little ones.
The reality of the matter is that choosing a seat for your little ones can be stressful and overwhelming. However, it is one of the most important investments that you can make on your car. Here are some tips that you should put into consideration.
Read the vehicle’s manual carefully
This is the first thing that you should do to be sure where the baby seats should go. It will as well give you several other tips on how to make sure your kids are comfortable in the car. If you get every detail of this manual, then you will have a better buying experience. Even when you want to buy, you should have already made up your mind about one of the two types-Seat belt and LATCH system. You can consult to see which one is better for you before you make a decision of getting to the market.
Consider your child’s age, weight and height
This is another very critical factor to consider. The type, size and the material of the child’s car seat you choose will be determined by the above three factors. For newborns, you need to get them a rear-facing seat and later change as they grow older. This is the best seat because it will put the baby’s back into the seat in case of any impact or stress. You will know its time to change the seat if you notice that your baby’s head is an inch above the seat.
The car seat manual makes it clear that forward-facing seats are for children that are over 2 years old and those that are bigger and heavier. If your child grows taller than the seat, then you will always know it’s time to replace it. If you have older kids, then you should buy Booster seats because they are for children whose weight and height exceeds the limit for the car seats. There are some of the seats that will be the best for 2 years old and not a perfect match for 4 years old. If your kid is 4 years old, then you can check to go for the best car seat for 4 year olds.
Get a convertible car seat
The idea here is to look for a car seat that will grow with your children. You don’t have to take the costs few years later as your kids grow. When you are looking for a comfortable sit for your newborns, then you can either get a rear-facing infant seat or a convertible seat. However, the best decision here is to get a convertible seat that faces the rear of the car for the first few years and later is turned towards the front as they grow. However, you will bear with the fact that convertible seats cannot be taken in and out of the car like other baby seats.
Never go for second-hand seats
The first thing that you should bear in mind is that second hand seats are not the best for your children. The first thing is that you don’t know their history and for this reason you shouldn’t risk. There’s likelihood that a second hand seat was involved in an accident and sustained internal damages which are not visible to you. The other thing is that they may be very old but refurbished and for this reason they cannot provide maximum protection to your kids. For the above reasons, buy a brand new baby seat and at the same time ensure that it comes with the original instructions. You should also check the warranty policies and the expiry date.
Focus on the most important features of the seat
The main reason why you are buying a new car seat for your children is to ensure that they are comfortable and at the same time protected in case of any stress or impact. What this means is that you should focus on its most important features of it. Go for the one with a 5-point harness, and side-impact protection, and check its compatibility. You don’t have to go for the cheapest seat because they can be of the lowest quality.
Installation diagrams
If you want to have an easy time installing and fitting the seat for your baby, then you should look for the one that has installation diagrams as well as texts. Although almost every company is trying to simplify the installation process, you should look for the one that is particularly easy to install.
How easy is the seat to clean?
There are several brands in the market today and consequently, if you are not very careful, you may land to a beautiful seat that is hard to clean. This means that even when you are looking for a seat that is eye-catching, you should check if the material is easy to clean. Go for a seat made with a smooth fabric because they are very easy to wipe clean.
The bottom line
Bear in mind that seats expire and the good thing is they have a printed expiry date. There are some other seats that can expire after a certain number of years. What this means is that you should first of all check the dates. If you don’t have a clear picture of what your children really need, you can involve an expert. Some of the garages have experts who can help you decide and help you in the process of fitting the seats.
