Now you might think about purchasing the next baby essential: a car seat. If you haven’t bought one for your baby who is packing on some pounds, now is probably the best time to buy one, as it won’t be easy carrying a bigger baby.

Skim through the product manual first
Ask for product manual first, then skim and scan through the safety features, installation guide and other important details that you think will help you decide on what kind of car seat to purchase.

Take note of your baby’s age, weight and height
Some brands make car seats that are specific for a certain group. Rear-facing seats are for newborns and infants; forward-facing seats are for toddlers aged at least two years old; booster seats for kids weighing at least 40 pounds.

Measure how much room you have in your car
Take note of how big or small your back seat is. A baby car seat with a large base may not fit, so make sure you measure everything first before making any purchase.

Consider the warranty
Straps, belt paths, retainer clips, harness adjusters and other parts may break unpredictably, so you may want to consider a car seat manufacturer that offers warranty to save on maintenance costs.

Safety is the top priority when you bring your baby with you. A car seat is definitely a safety essential that you should consider investing on.