Infant carseat safety has come a long way in a few decades. Many of us grew up in a time where Sundays were meant for long drives and when it came time to buckle up the kids, well, that just didn't happen. Kids were allowed to jump all over the car, hang out the window, and ride in the back of pickup trucks. All quite legally, too. Even infants didn't need special restraints. Mom could hold a baby in her arms, or even place him on a seat cushion. No problem! It's a wonder we survived.

Nowadays, if you even think of putting a five month old in the car for a drive down the street for a gallon milk you'd better have a government approved safety seat with the appropriate crash test ratings.

These seats must be placed in the back seat, facing backwards, so that the driver of the car has fast and easy access to the baby in case of an emergency. This will help prevent neck injuries and whiplash in the event of a collision.

Infant carseats grow as an infant grows. There are car seats designed for newborns, who aren't even allowed to get into a car to go home until a nurse has seen the car seat and checked to make sure it has been properly installed.

As an infant grows, they probably need a larger carseat to accommodate longer legs and have a more comfortable tilt for the head and neck. Securing straps are a bit longer as well, enabling the infant to be snugly placed into the carrier.

Most carseats have multiple purposes nowadays. No longer relegated to being stuck in the back seat, they now can be turned into strollers, and carried with a handle. Others also double as rockers and come with an optional easily installed curved rocker bottom.

Discover the Best Infant Carseat Reviews Below:

The safest convertible car seat is one that the child cannot unbuckle on his own. This is crucial for a child's safety and protection and when a car seat is used properly, under adult supervision that is; there will never be a time when the child needs to figure out how to get out on his own.

Children at the stage where they need to use a car seat have not developed the judgment to know when it is the right time to unfasten themselves from their car seat.  A good child safety seat will have safeguards in place to make sure that the child can't open the seat on his own.

Car seat regulations are always changing and so manufacturers must make car seats that conform to the latest safety standards. Each year manufacturers make new models of car seats in order to supply consumers with car seats that meet the latest safety requirements. The safest car seat is the most up-to-date car seat in terms of national car seat safety regulations.

Car seats with thin, narrow and old straps are not safe. Thin and old straps can break easily and narrow straps can actually cut into your child in the case of a collision. The safest car seats have wide padded straps to hold the child comfortably and safely.

The safest car seat is one that has been tested on a dummy in a variety of possible collision scenarios. Many companies say that their car seats conform to all car seat rules and regulations but when it comes to protecting your child a car seat that has been tested on a dummy and passed the test is the one to choose. After all, your seat in the car has been tested with a dummy in it why deprive a helpless child of having his or her seat tested as well?

Convertible car seats can be used in either the forward facing position or facing the rear.  Car seats that are setup so that the child is in a rearward-facing position are the safest, especially at a young age. With this style of car seat if there is a collision the child doesn't get thrown forward out of his seat and his head is more protected.

Adults may think it is funner to place a young curious child in a forward facing car seat but ultimately, having a safe and sound child is funner. You can make sure that the child has someone sitting next to him o

Graco car seats are the standard in child products. These are varied in their forms and in their uses. You can get an infant car seat. This will only last you until the child is 32 inches tall.

Your baby will face backwards in their Graco car seat until they are 32 pounds. Most children can fit into this infant car seat until the age of one year. these are very nice for easy of use.

Most strollers accommodate the Graco infant car seat. You push a button and the car seat snaps safely into place. The base remain in the car. That way, your baby can sleep with no interruptions. You as the parent can breathe easy knowing that your infant is safe and snug. This Graco car seat is called the SnugRide.

Graco car seats are available in larger models. These accommodate your baby until they are 65 pounds. This allows you to have your infant facing in the rear position until they are 40 pounds. Some people prefer this as it is considered safer for the baby. These Graco car seats are sturdy, but are not as convenient as the infant car seats. This Graco car seat is called the MyRide Graco car seat.

The ComfortSport Graco car seats are the largest car seat available for your baby today. These can be used as early as birth in the rear facing position. Then at 20 pounds, you can face the Graco car seat forward and allow your baby to see the world. This is the most economical car seat available from Graco today. It will go from birth to no car seat. It is not as convenient as the infant car seat models; but it is less expensive.

Every single Graco car seat comes in several styles and colors. You can get replacement parts if anything breaks on the car seat. Every Graco car seat comes with safety features like the five point harness, and side impact safety zones. You can rest easy knowing that your little bundle of joy is safe and snug in their Graco car seat.

Infant CarSeats

The most important purchase you will make for your new baby.
Infant car seats are designed for babies from birth until about 20 or 30 lbs. Specially designed for infants, most safety seats feature padding and a 5-point harness system designed to keep your baby safe and comfortable.
Top Infant Car Seat Features to Look for:

• Wide, Twist-free straps - Prevents twisting of straps to help keep your baby secure.
• Two-piece chest clips - This is another feature that helps prevent straps from twisting and they are also easier to use.
• Infant Carriers with Bases - Most infant car seats come with bases that can be installed seperately. The base is left in the vehicle, and the carrier is easily installed or removed from the base without taking the baby out of the harness. Just make sure you purchase an extra base for each vehicle you may have, even though most carriers can be installed by themselves in a vehicle without the base.
• Head Impact Protection -  Most carseats have an added layer of EPS foam or special plastic, similar to that used in bicycle helmets and protective gear.  This is usually recessed into the plastic shell of the seat around the head, and can improve crash safety in side impacts, rear impacts and rebounds in frontal crashes.  Some boosters may be made primarily of EPS grade foam.  A few newer models tout special side-impact protection features as well.

By keeping these few tips in mind before you purchase your next Infant Carseat you will be well prepared to by the best product to suit your needs.