When it comes to buying a baby car seat, you surely want to buy the safest, most comfortable option that you can find. That being said though, how can you assess whether a car seat is good or not? Well, a lot of things come into it, and in order to help you make as informed a decision as possible, in this article, we are going to guide you through the process.

Where should you begin?

Well, the first thing that you need to have in mind is the fact that all of the baby car seats that are being sold today must meet all of the basic safety standards. That being said, this isn’t going to make your shopping easier as there are plenty of other aspects that you need to consider. As experts on baby car seats over at babyandco.com explain, you also need to think about variables such as your lifestyle, how big is your car exactly, as well as your daily routines and finances that you have available. With the help of the experts, we are going to discuss all of these factors to help you narrow down your choices.

How many seats do you need?

The first thing that you need to consider is the number of seats, as this is also going to come into play when we continue to discuss portability and similar topics. Basically, if you and your partner happen to drive separate cars, before opting for buying two seats, you should first think about your schedules and if any overlaps allow coordination regarding switching seats.

 

So, if your schedules do overlap enough, opting for a single car seat is going to ensure that you spend less money, but you want to look for seats that are easily installed and removed to make the entire process smoother for you. A good choice in such cases may be opting for a rear-facing infant seat that basically snaps into an existing base, so you’ll just need to invest in an extra base.

How much space do you operate with?

Naturally, smaller cars aren’t suitable for larger car seats, so you should measure the space that you operate first to avoid any unpleasant surprises later. Comfort is important!

Do you plan to utilize the seat long term?

When it comes to safety in general, your best bet is to opt for a rear-facing seat if you’re looking to use the seat long term. That being said, if space and budget are concerns for you, then you’d maybe want to buy a convertible seat for long-term use.

Do you want your seat stroller compatible?

In case you are on the go for large portions of time, it would be smart for you to invest in a car seat that is easy to snap into a stroller. One of the options for you is to invest in a travel system with an infant car seat first, after which you can eventually upgrade it to a convertible seat. A lot of the travel systems consist of the stroller as well as an easily attachable car seat which is quite useful, both convenience and finance-wise.

 

Another option is to buy both a car seat and a stroller that can be connected with the help of an adapter. If you’re interested in a stroller that isn’t quite newborn compatible, you should know that car seat adapters are available for several stroller brands, which means that there are a lot of options regarding sizes as well. This way, you are going to be able to use your regular stroller from day one, as well as to keep using it once the baby outgrows the initial car seat.

Is portability important for you?

Here’s the thing, there are a lot of parents that will install the car seat and leave it there for as much as their little one is going to use it. The thing is though, if portability is a thing that is important for you, be it due to utilizing more vehicles or anything else, it would be best that you opt for a more mobile option.

 

That being said, if you’re planning to move your car seat a lot, make sure that you look for an option that’s equipped with an ergonomically designed handle as well as a smaller, lighter footprint. All of this is going to ensure that the entire moving process is way easier.

 

In the end, it all boils down to your priorities and circumstances, so taking time to assess all of the things that we have discussed in the previous text is going to ensure that you make as informed a decision as possible. Good luck!