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Types of Car Seats

Confused by all the options and terminology? Which type of car seat is best for you and your child? No worries, we're here to help. We have gathered some short descriptions including general age, weight and height requirements for each type of seat detailed below. If you still need some help, feel free to drop us a line or give us a ring at 1-800-891-3857.

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Infant car seats

Infant seats will normally be baby's first car seat.  Why choose an Infant Carrier to start? Some find Infant Car Seats to be safer for newborns since these seats are smaller and do a better job cradling a baby. Infant Car Seats or Infant Carriers are the only seats with removable bases making them super convenient in transporting a sleeping baby, including being used with certain strollers as a Travel System.

  • Child Weight: 4 - 30 lbs
  • Child Age: under age 1
  • Max Child Height: 32"
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Travel Systems

Technically, all of the strollers we carry on EliteCarSeats.com could be considered 'Travel Systems' since they are all compatible with at least one Infant Car Seat we also sell. The strollers you will find in this area, however, are your typical 4-wheeled, feature-packed strollers that come with all the extra goodies.

Pros - Cons -
  • Packaged with an infant car seat 
  • Will work instantly with a car seat without the need for any extra car seat adapter
  • Often have a lot of free goodies like parent consoles, child trays, foot muffs, etc
  • Smaller plastic wheels make for a rough ride on bumpy sidewalks and park trails
  • Lower maximum weight capacities than Jogging Strollers meaning you won't get as many years use out of them
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Convertible car seats

What's a Convertible car seat? Convertible simply means that the car seat is able to be installed and used in both the Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing positions. Children must stay rear-facing until the age of 1 AND 20 pounds, making Convertible car seats a perfect first or second car seat for baby.

  • Child Weight: 5 - 65lbs
  • Child Age: 0 - 5 years
  • Max Child Height: 49"
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Youth & Toddler car seats

We classify the seats in this section as Youth/Toddler because they each share two things in common. First, all of our Youth/Toddler seats can ONLY be used as Forward-Facing seats. This means that your child will not be ready for a Youth/Toddler seat until they have grown out of an Infant or Convertible seat but are not yet ready for a Booster. Also, these seats all still have a safe 5-point harness. Some may be used without the 5-point harness as Booster seats after a certain maximum weight and height are met, normally around 40 pounds and 40", while others remain a Forward-Facing seat with a 5-point harness that can be used with children up to 80 pounds.

  • Child Weight: 20 - 80 lbs
  • Child Age: 1 - 8 years
  • Max Child Height: 19 - 59"
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Booster car seats

The Booster seat is a big step for both you and your child. The 5-point harness is no longer used; instead the Booster seat simply 'boosts' your child up a bit so that the car's lap and shoulder belt fit across them safely. Normally, it is recommended that children stay in a 5-point harness as long as possible, or at least until 3 - 4 years of age.

  • Child Weight: 30 - 100 lbs
  • Child Age: 3 - 10 years
  • Max Child Height: 33 - 60"
Is Your Child Ready for a Booster Seat?
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Special Needs car seats

We carry two types of Special Needs car seats. One type is an Infant Car Bed for Premature & Low Birth Weight Babies. This type of seat will safely accommodate children weighing less than and up to 9 pounds. The other type is Forward-Facing Car Seats for children with special needs. These car seats are unique in that they tend to provide a lot more support than a standard Forward-Facing seat and are equipped with 5-point harnesses that accommodate a greater child weight and height for long-term use.

Infant Car Beds:

  • Child Weight: 9 lbs and less
  • Child Age: Less than 1 year
  • Child Height: 20" and less

Forward-Facing Special Needs Seats:

  • Child Weight: 20 - 105 lbs
  • Child Age: 1 - 10 years
  • Max Child Height: 60"
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