Getting a car seat is a great way to ensure that your child is safe while you are driving. While this is a great thing to do, you might get a seat that will not work for you or your child if you are not keen. Getting the right seat matters more than just getting a car seat. Here are some of the mistakes you should avoid when getting a car seat for your baby.
Getting the wrong size
One of the things you need to remember when you are getting a car seat is that no size fits all. If you have an infant, then the car seat will be different from a toddler’s. For this reason, you need to be keen on the size of the car seat you get and ensure it is appropriate for your child’s age.
Installing the car seat the wrong way
One of the things many parents struggle with is how to put the car seat in the car. For infants, it is recommended that the car seat be put in the car facing the back. The older kids’ seat is put facing the front. Knowing about this will ensure that the seat you get serves you without any issues. Many people make a mistake when installing the car seat and end up hurting their children.
Putting children in heavy clothing in the car seat
If your child is in a heavy sweater, the car seat will not hold them well. Getting a baby coat is recommend as it works well with most car seats. If not, your child will not be strapped in securely in the seat, which beats the whole point of getting the seat anyway.
Placing the seat at the wrong place
The best place to install the car seat is in the back seats away from any active airbags. While airbags might work to save your life, they can break your child’s bones when deployed. Many parents forget this and end up injuring their children in the car seat. The seat will come with clear instructions on installing the seat in case you do not know the best position to install them at.
Switching seats too soon
The infant seat faces backward and, as such, cannot be used for older kids. One mistake parents make is switching from the rear to the front-facing seat too fast. Never rush the process of changing car seats until you are sure that your child is ready for the new seats. It will ensure they stay safe as they use the seats.
Getting a car seat will not do you good if you get the wrong seat or if you install it poorly. For this reason, it is vital that you take your time and do your research on the cars seats available in the market and whether they will work for your child or not. Do not settle for the first seat you see before checking to see if it is what your baby needs.
