Essential features to look out for before buying

It is a well known fact that toddlers are a hard-to-please bunch of people especially on car journeys of any kind. If they are not constantly asking the inevitable “Are we there yet?” question, they are whining for snacks and drinks or to be entertained. Basically, car trips with toddlers are hard, even at the best of times. Choosing the right car seat means that you have one less thing to worry about where safety is concerned and, with any luck, a comfortable toddler will be a happier one. Our brief guide outlines important things to consider when shopping for a car seat for your toddler and essential features to look out for.

1. Choose the right seat

The car seat that you choose should be suited to your child’s age and weight. The law states that a child below the age of one and under the minimum weight of 20 pounds, should only travel in a rear-facing car seat. If your toddler exceeds these age and weight limits, he or she may ride in a forward facing seat which is likelier to keep them happier for longer by giving them a much better view of the world. Convertible car seats can be fitted so that they are either rear-facing or forward facing so give extra flexibility and some of these can even be converted to a booster-seat once your child exceeds 40 pounds.

The right seat should fit well into the rear seat of your car while still leaving enough legroom for your child and the passenger in front as well as space for other passengers on the rear seat. The seat should not be so high that is results in a blind spot when you are looking through your rear-view mirror.

2. Safety

Safety is of course every parent’s major concern when taking their baby on the road so make sure that a few basic safety features are present before you choose a car seat. Car seats may have a range of different safety harness types but the general consensus is that a five-point safety harness is the most secure of them all. The harness should be adjustable and easy for you to fasten and release but not easy for your child to undo or to get out of themselves. It should also be straightforward for any adult to release your child from the harness in the event of an emergency.

Make sure that the seat doesn’t have any exposed metal parts that may hurt or burn your child’s skin. Some top-end models feature an energy absorbing foam that directs the brunt of the impact away from your child in the event of a collision and is a desirable feature to look for. The best car seats will offer a good amount of side impact protection that not only gives good coverage around the body section but also extends to cover the head-section of the seat.

Never use a second-hand car seat or one that has already been in a collision as the safety of this will most definitely be impaired.

3. Comfort

Toddlers love to be cozy and feel secure so look for a well-padded seat that is upholstered in a soft, breathable fabric; removable and washable seat pads are a bonus as little people can make a lot of mess. Seats that can recline are essential for snoozing on the go but remember, they will take up a little extra room when in full recline. Some models have adjustable head-rests or cushioned pads covering the harness straps to keep them from digging into your child’s body. Armrests, snack trays and cup-holders are other extra desirable features to look out for.

4. Fitting & Ease-of-Use

A car seat that has been fitted incorrectly is as good as useless so make absolutely sure that you are comfortable with how to do this before buying . Make sure the seat is suitable for your particular car as not all seats will fit all cars; most stores allow you to try a display model out for size before you buy.

All cars and car seats made after September 2002 will be LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) co-ordinated which basically means that they are easier to install and therefore, a whole lot safer. LATCH equipped models will usually also work with standard seat-belts although the attaching process may be a little more complicated. Fitting stations are located at hospitals, some garages and fire-stations and experts here can check that your seat is fitted correctly.

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