Baby car seats are another large purchase that new or expectant parents have to make.  You can imagine the amount of money that new parents have to spend in order to prepare for the arrival of their baby, they need to buy a: crib, stroller, car seat, baby monitor, nursery furniture and changing table, bottles, receiving blankets, bathing necessities, and the list goes on.  Therefore, if you would like to help the new parents out financially it is an excellent idea to pool money within a group of friends or relatives and purchase one of the larger or more expensive items such as the baby’s car seat.

However, if you have decided to buy a car seat for the baby shower gift there are important things you need to think about:

The most important thing you need to consider is the baby’s safety.  Make sure the car seat you choose meets all current national safety standards and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  The infant seat should be semi-reclined or 45 degrees from horizontal and the base of the seat should sit firmly on the parent’s vehicle’s back seat, moving no more than 1 inch from side to side.  The vehicle seat belt should securely strap the car seat in tightly.  There should be straps that go over the infant’s shoulders and holds the thighs in place and another strap that comes up from between the infant’s legs.  This is called a five-point safety harness.  Make sure the seat comes with a manufacturer’s card or warranty card and tell the parents to mail it in.

There are two styles of car seats that you have to choose from for newborns: the infant car seat and the infant-toddler car seat (convertible car seat).  There are advantages and disadvantages to both.  An infant car seat often comes with a stroller.  The stroller and infant car seat set are equipped to allow the mother to pop the car seat out of the car and directly onto the stroller.  This is extremely convenient, as mothers do not have to disturb the newborn’s sleep.  However, a disadvantage to this style car seat is that they are only safe to carry babies weighing up to 20-22 lbs. 

The infant-toddler car seat, however, lasts longer as it converts from a reclined backward facing infant seat to a forward facing reclined, or straight up and down toddler seat.  But again, you lose the convenience of the infant carrier and will have to un-strap the baby once you reach your destination and transfer him or her to another carrier such as a stroller or snuggly.   

Regardless of which style car seat you choose I suggest you look for a car seat that comes equipped with easy to release latches and buckles, and straps that are adjustable from the front.  Some car seats come with straps that are adjustable from the back; however, the straps that are adjustable from the front are much more convenient. 

Make sure that the seat is easy to install and take out of the vehicle.  Infant seats that come with an easy to install base are most convenient.  Most families own two vehicles, and therefore the chances are high that the car seat will be transferred from one vehicle to the next quite often.  If the car seat requires a lot of time and effort to install and take out of the vehicle please consider a different style.

Make sure the car seat you have chosen comes equipped with the LATCH system, or has the equipment necessary for compatibility with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system.  The LATCH system was designed to simplify car seat installation and thereby reducing the number of infant deaths due to improper installation.   

Lastly, look for a car seat that comes with a detachable washable cover.  Infants often spit up, and as they grow older will start to make bigger messes in their car seat.  For convenience for the parents and comfort for the baby buy a car seat that is easy to keep clean and smelling fresh.

In summary look for the following features and benefits when shopping for a car seat

·         Universal Anchorage System

·         5-Point harness

·         Ease of adjustability

·         Ease of car seat transfer

·         Comfort

·         Recline positions and ability to accommodate a sleeping baby’s needs

Popular car seat styles and brands include:

• Cosco Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 Comprehensive Car Seat – rear facing, forward facing, and booster seat
• Cosco Alpha Omega Elite Car Seat – rear facing, forward facing, and booster seat
• Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat – rear facing only
• Graco SnugRide V Infant Car Seat – rear facing only
• Evenflo Embrace Infant Car Seat – rear facing only
• Evenflo Tribute V Convertible Car Seat – rear and forward facing
• Evenflo Tribute Convertible Car Seat – rear and forward facing
• Safety 1^st Enspira Car Seat – rear facing, forward facing, and booster seat
• Safety 1^st Intera Car Seat – rear facing, forward facing, and booster seat