5 Factors to Consider when Buying Car Seat for Long-term Travel

5 Factors to Consider when Buying Car Seat for Long-term Travel

With the world getting smaller every day, more and more people are taking extended trips that travel outside their home country. Whether you’re staying in the country or traveling abroad, there are important things to consider when picking a car seat for your child for the next trip.

Safety

When buying a car seat, make sure it passes tests for both side impacts and a full-frontal crash. The seat should feature energy-absorbing foam that reduces impact forces and a steel frame that provides more support. The seat should also have a no-rethread harness, which means you won’t have to take your child out of the car seat to adjust the harness. The seat’s harness should be easy to adjust with the one-hand pull and release, and the harness height adjustable in one-inch increments, so it’s easy to keep your child in the right position as they grow.

Size

You might have to try out several car seats before you find one that is the right fit for your child. Car seats are categorized by weight and height, for example, “up to 30 pounds and 29 inches.” The “up to” part means that the car seat is designed to fit bigger children who weigh less than the stated maximum. Don’t worry; the car seat still has a lot of life in it. You just have to be aware of the maximum weight and height for the car seat. 

You want to make sure that your child is comfortable in the seat and that it’s big enough for them to grow into. If you’re buying for an infant, you need to look for a seat that will fit your child until they reach at least 20 lbs. (9.1 kg). For toddlers, a seat that will accommodate a child from 20 to 65 lbs. (9.1-29.5 kg) will last for a few years.

Comfort

You can’t expect your child to always be comfortable in a car seat, especially during long-distance travel. But you can help that along. Look for a car seat that includes a wide range of padding and cushioning to provide comfort for your child. It’s best to choose a seat with a headrest to protect your child’s head and neck from injury. If your child feels comfortable, they are more likely to remain seated, which will make the trip smoother for you.

Most car seats have adjustable armrests, which are great for adjusting the angle of the car seat to provide a more comfortable ride. The seat itself should be cushioned and have a wide, soft cushion on the headrest to keep your kids comfortable. If your child’s car seats don’t have adjustable armrests, consider getting an aftermarket cushion that you can use to provide extra comfort. The bottom line is that comfort is king.

Installation

If you are traveling with your child in the car on a long-term basis, look for child car seats in NZ that are easy to install and offer a high level of safety. Child car seats are all different and are installed differently depending on the car model and your country. 

You can find different child car seats with varying systems of installation on the market. Many of the child car seats have a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. It has two lower anchor connectors and one tether anchor built into the seat. These are used for attaching the car seat to the car. The LATCH system is designed to secure the child seat tightly in the car and reduce the movement of the car seat.

Price

Yes, the price is one the most important aspects of buying a car seat. In fact, it is the only thing that matters when buying a car seat. When choosing a car seat, you need to think of it as an investment. The more you are willing to pay, the more you will get out of your car seat. 

Some of the best car seats on the market can cost up to $1000, but they are designed for long-term use. Not only will they keep your child safe, but they will also be comfortable and last for years. You can even find used car seats in great condition, but be careful. Used car seats are not as safe as new ones.

About the author
Mrs. Hatland is a 30-something married, mom of 7 and the face behind the popular online publication, Motherhood Defined. Known as the Iowa Mom blogger by her local peers and “The Fairy Blogmother” worldwide. She has professional experience in working closely with clients on brand ambassadorships, client outreach services, content creation and creative social media advertising exposure.

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *