How To Select the Right Toddler Car Seat

Toddlers can be hard to find car seats for. Every child develops at his/her own individual rate, and sometimes you may have a toddler that is shorter or taller than average; you may have a toddler that weighs more than the average weight. Choosing a toddler seat involves consideration for your child's needs as well as your own.

Toddler car seats, otherwise called booster seats, are specifically designed for children between the ages of 4 and 8. Toddler car seats are used when the child is too big for a typical forward facing car seat, but not yet big enough to ride without the aid of a boost. The toddler car seat lifts your child up to a height where the vehicle's safety belts will fit properly and sit where they are supposed to for the best protection against auto accident injury. Children at this stage are still too small for the vehicle's safety belts to protect them enough. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a toddler car seat:

Check federal regulations. The toddler car seat that you choose should meet all federal regulations for safety and use. You can find this information on the packaging of the toddler car seat. You should make sure that it specifically states that it meets these regulations.

High back or backless? You will need a high backed toddler car seat if your vehicle does not have a head rest, while a backless toddler seat can be chosen if there is a head rest available. Also, if your child tends to fall asleep in the car, a high backed toddler seat may help your child with neck support while napping.

If you are going to purchase a used toddler car seat, you should make sure that all the same things apply to the used one that would apply to a new one. If the toddler car seat has been involved in an accident or shows any sign of wear, do not buy it. Also, you should check for recalls, and you shouldn't purchase a used toddler seat that is more than 5 years old.

There are 3 main types of toddler car seats that you can choose from: combination booster car seats, belt positioning booster car seats, and the backless booster car seats.

Combination booster car seats are toddler car seats that will closely resemble a forward facing seat and have a five point harness. Once your child reaches the booster seat stage, the combination booster car seat can be converted into a belt positioning toddler car seat.

The belt positioning toddler car seat is the one that is known as the high backed toddler car seat. These seats will have a head rest and positions the vehicle's safety belts properly on your child.

The backless toddler car seats are pretty self-explanatory. They provide the extra height that your toddler needs to be able to wear the vehicle safety belts in the proper manner.

Consider your child's needs, as well as the type of vehicle that you have, when shopping for toddler car seats.

	Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, Matrix List Price: $179.99 Sale Price: $144.00 Average Rating:
	Once your child outgrows her rear-facing infant car seat, she's still required ride in a car seat or a booster for several more years to come. So rather than investing in a succession of seats and boosters, try the Graco Nautilus 3-in 1 Toddler Car Seat, the only forward-facing car seat your child will need...

	Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $14.99 Average Rating:
	ATTN: Britax owners. If our product is too short, please check to be sure your LATCH straps are in the forward facing position. Whether flying on an airplane or traveling by train or bus, it is safest and most comfortable for your child to be in a car seat...