There are 5 different types of car seats:
1) Infant car seat - This is also known as rear-facing car seat. It is for newborns and generally lasts until your baby is 1 year old. These are portable car seats and have a base that can stay in your car. This way you can easily transport the car seat in and out of the car. Many parents who buy this type of car seat also get a compatible stroller or a baby travel system.
2) Convertible car seat - This type of car seat can be used rear-facing and forward-facing. Some parents may choose to buy a convertible car seat from the start instead of an infant car seat. Unlike infant car seats, convertible car seats stay in the vehicle. They cannot be detached from the base. Some parents might find this to be inconvenient because the car seat is not easily transportable.
3) Booster seat - There are 2 types of booster seats: high back booster seat and backless booster seat. Your child will need to use a booster seat when he outgrows the forward-facing car seats that have a 5-point harness. Booster car seats have a 3-point belt system and raise your child up so that your car's seat belt can fit properly across your child's body. Your child should continue using booster seat until he is big enough to fit in your car's seat belt.
4) Combination seat - Combination seats have a 5-point harness that can be removed and used as a booster car seat. Parents buy this type of car seat when their child has outgrown their forward-facing car seat but is not ready to stay in a booster seat just yet.
5) All-in-one car seat - These car seats can be converted from rear-facing seat to forward-facing seat to a booster seat. Although it is cheaper to buy all-in-one car seat, some parents find it useful to buy certain car seats separately, especially if they have multiple children that they can pass on the seat to.
Click here to read more about the different types of car seats.



