When determining which baby travel system is best for you, always look at the car seat first.

How to determine how safe a car seat of a baby travel system is?

All car seats (bought part as a baby travel system or not) that are sold in the U.S., Canada and the EU must pass regulated crash tests. While all car seats are required to have the same safety level, some models come with features that make them more appealing : locking clips that are built in, straps that do not twist, etc. Key point in safety lies in installation of the car seat. Therefore, having feature that make car seats installation more easy can sometimes add safety, especially for inexperienced parents. Nevertheless, buying a baby travel system that has a car seat that comes with more features is not necessary at all. The more inexpensive car seat with none of those features are just as safe, having passed the basic regulated crash tests, as long as you install it properly.

In order to determine what car seat is best for you and your baby’s safety, use and try to answer those following criteria.

First, does the car seat of the baby travel system fits my baby?

Any car seat from any baby travel system isn’t good enough. Car seats come in size and age. Choose your car seat in function of the size of the kid too, and not only in function to the kid’s age, as some older children are smaller and will fit better in smaller car seats while some younger children can outgrow their car seat faster than the average child. Car seats that are installed facing the opposite direction to the traffic (Rear-facing only) are use for babies up to 20 lbs. The “Convertible car seats” are installed facing the opposite direction to the traffic until baby is about 12 months old, weighs at least 20 lbs and can stand on his own. The convertible car seat can be installed facing forward until the child weight limit given by the manufacturer (check on the box!). And regarding the height, when the car seat is installed rear-facing (opposite direction to the traffic) the head of the baby should not less than one inch below the top of the car seat. When the car seat is installed facing the front seats, the top of the baby’s ears should be below the top of the car seat.

Second, is it easy to use?

Tip : always read the installation manual that comes with the baby travel system or the car seat. No matter how fancy your car seat is, no matter how many features it comes with, your car seat is not safe and secure until you’ve read the baby travel system and car seat manual provided by the manufacturer to learn how to properly install it. Each car seat is different, so to make sure that you are installing it properly, read the manual. Make sure to also adjust the harness to secure baby in the car seat after purchasing it. Never try to install a car seat with a user’s manual from another model. Read our parents review to find out what they think about the baby travel system and their car seats.

Third, will it fit in my car?

Very important. Unfortunately, not all car seats will fit in every vehicle, as there are so many models of car seats and so many models of cars. The car seat has to be installed tightly, with the proper 45 degrees angle with should move and shuffle on the side less than one inch when shaken. Again, simply read parents reviews about baby travel systems and their car seats to help you determine if your baby travel system and car seat will fit your vehicle.

Fourth, has their been a recall of that Car Seat

If you are buying a brand new baby travel system or car seat off our website or from the store, there is no need to worry. If there is a recall on the product, the product will immediately be pulled of the store. However, it is important to check if you are re-using your car seat for a second child, or if you are using your sibling’s old car seat (in that case, also make sure the car seat isn’t more than five years old).

Fifth, can I re-used and old baby travel system or car seat?

Usually not for the car seat part. Unless your car seat is less than 5 years old, have not been involved in a previous car accident (you need to get an accurate history), and you have checked that there we no recall. Use car seats only from people you can trust (such as a re-used car seat from your previous child, or your cousin or good friend’s car seat). Even a small impact can damage the car seat, and sometimes, the damages are not apparent. So buying a car seat which you have no accurate accident history of can put your child at risk of injury. If you are re-using a car seat, make sure there are no alterations.

Finally, what else should I look for in a car seat from a baby travel system?

A 5-point harness seat will increase baby’s safety.

So in short, the best travel system car seats are the one that fits in your car or vehicle, that fits your budget, that fits your baby, that you can properly installed and which has never been involved in an accident.

car seat by jessicafm

Find your best Baby Travel System here!