First time baby seat buyer

[Alan430]

Hi,

I have a 2000 Subaru Outback and I have a 10 month old grand child, my first. I know nothing about baby seats and would appreciation any help and information anyone can provide me with.

Thank you,

Alan

[Peg Perego Infant Car Sea]

Hi Alan,

Not much to worry about, so rest easy.

I have a newer model Subaru, so it includes the LATCH system (little clips under the seats to anchor the car seat to). Yours may not given it's age (became a requirement around 2003, but some manufacturers started including it before that). Not to worry if you dont have it - it's just easier to install the seat. If you dont have it (you can confirm by looking in your owners manual, or just look at your rear seats - you cant really miss the latches if they're there), you'll have to use the lap or shoulder belts.

You'll need a 'locking clip' if you use shoulder belts - it will come with the car seat. Just follow the instructions in the manual and you'll figure it out. One word or warning though: Installing a car seat or car seat base with a shoulder belt and a locking clip is a bit of a pain. Not hard really, just finnicky. Consider doing a search on YouTube -- seeing someone do it first makes it a whole lot easier.

As to what to buy, it will depend on your budget and your needs. If $ is tight, just buy any car seat you can afford and rest assured that anything sold in N. America will meet minimum legislated safety requirements -- other car seats may be a bit safer, more convenient, more comfortable etc, but they should all be safe. If cost isnt as much of an issue, consider a Peg Perego car seat -- I personally think they're the best.



Best of luck and dont stress it!!

	Peg Perego car seats Founded by Italian designer Guiseppe Pérego all the way back in 1949, Peg Pérego quickly branched out from traditional prams to strollers, high chairs, car seats, toys and accessories. Internationally renowned for innovative products and a supreme sense of style, Peg Pérego creates some of the most enjoyable and eye-catching transportation and safety options for children all over the world. With factories and offices in Italy, Germany, Canada, and the U.S., Peg Pérego is a truly international entity, blending technology and history to create lines that are reputable and safe. Peg Pérego professes a "dedication to original and innovative products designed for discriminating consumers who demand fashion, individuality, quality and safety in the products they purchase for their babies and young." Ready to buy a Peg Perego car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.