If you are a first time parent and this is your first time dealing with the installation of a car seat then you may want to keep reading. Car seats do not seem too hard to install but there is more to just buckling in the seat. There are some things that you cannot overlook. Doing only half way is not doing your child any justice. If a Police Officer were to pull you over and inspect your seat, would you be confident that they would find it acceptable? If the answer is I think so then you should read on.

There are some easy choosing a car seat basics that you should know, the first is to buy a car seat that is perfect for your baby’s age, height and weight. It is important to choose a car seat with all of the necessary safety features. If you are not sure, please read our article Things to Look For When Choosing A Car Seat. It would be a help to you if you read the installation manual before attempting to install the car seat. All babies that weigh less than 20 pounds and are a year old have to be in a rear facing car seat.

Rear Facing Car Seat

All car seats since 2002 come with the LATCH system, all new cars come with the LATCH anchors. If your car seat and your car come with these then follow these installation instructions:

The first thing that you have to do install the base of your car seat, these are simple since they come in a single piece. Next you will have to locate the anchors in the back seat of the car, if you cannot find them in the back seat you will find them in the back seat window seat. The base should be laying flat against the back seat and the back should be flat in between the anchors. Now you will secure the latches that are the farthest from you with an anchor.

By using your own weight, sit on top of the seat and push down the seat and attach the anchor and tighten up the slack. Then pull on the base of the base of the car seat and test to make sure that it doesn’t move. Now you are ready to lock in the car seat itself. If the car seat does not have a LATCH anchor on the car follow the instructions minus the attaching of the anchors.

If you are not sure if you are doing it properly, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website and you can enter in your zip code and they will let you know where the closest testing station is to you. Take your car over and have your seat tested. It is for the safety of your baby.