Today, car seats are standard equipment for every family with young children. Unfortunately, this was not always the case. The first vehicles were not equipped with car seats or even seatbelts. Even adults today may remember car rides as a child spent riding on an adult’s lap or sitting in the seat by themselves. Thankfully, car safety technology has improved and car seats for babies save many lives every year. The first car seats for babies were developed in the 1920’s, but would hardly be recognizable today. Rather than restraining the child, they were designed to boost the child or infant up in the back seat so that they could easily be monitored by parents sitting up front. The modern car seats for babies made their first debut in the 1960’s.

By the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, car seats were in wide use across the United States. Today, all 50 states have laws mandating the use of car seats for babies. Most hospitals will not let a woman take her newborn baby home unless she can show proof of a car seat. There are several types of car seats designed for children of different heights and ages. Many car seats for babies can be converted into a carrier as well as a booster seat for older children. Newborns and infants should ride in a back-facing car seat, in the back seat of the car. Riding in a back-facing seat helps protect the baby’s fragile neck and spine in case of an accident. Once the child is two years old or reaches the weight limit specified by the manufacturer, he or she can face forward in the car seat.

One of the newest advancements in car seats is the use of a booster seat for toddlers and young children. Many car seats convert into a booster seat, although they can also be purchased separately. A booster seat functions by raising the child up and allowing the shoulder belt to rest against the child’s chest in the appropriate position to provide maximum safety in an accident and prevent injuries to the head. Booster seats should always be used in the back seat, especially if your car has passenger side airbags. Airbags deploy with great force and could hurt or kill a small child. Although parents may be tempted to save money by purchasing used car seats for babies, this is typically not advisable. Product recalls and new safety guidelines can make a car seat that is just a few years old out of date. In addition, a car seat that has been in a serious crash should never be reused.

The restraints or other elements of a car seat may have been damaged upon impact, even if it looks like they are fine. You can purchase a car seat online, at a store that specializes in baby gear, or at a general retail store. If you do not have money for a car seat, contact your hospital or local women’s shelter. Often they have new, donated car seats ready for families in need. When using car seats for babies, there are a few safety precautions you should take. First, make sure the seat belt is following the correct belt path through the car seat. This can be a point of confusion, especially if you are using a convertible seat. Ensure that the seat is positioned at the correct angle so that the baby’s head does not fall forward. Make sure any straps, or the three-point harness, is snug but not tight to your baby’s skin. If your child has a baby sitter, nanny, or will be driven by relatives, make sure that the know how to use and install the car seat correctly.