Find out the latest tips, tricks, deals, steals, and information about car seats and accessories

You love to travel. But now you’re expecting a baby. Can you still visit all the places you want to see? The good news is, you can still explore the world with your baby in tow. With a good stroller and car seat combo (aka travel system), you’ll be amazed at all the places you can go.

Until your baby is able to sit upright unassisted, she won’t be able to sit up in a stroller alone. That’s where the car seat and stroller combo comes in handy. Unless you plan on constantly packing your baby around in an infant carrier strapped to your back (hello back pain), you’ll want an ergonomic way to get around with her.

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In Sweden, Vision Zero, a road safety program passed in 1997, has greatly lowered the rate of traffic fatalities for both passengers and pedestrians. The name stems from the idea that zero deaths are acceptable, while in the US, our outlook is a little different. Many of our driving laws and road designs are influenced by an “acceptable” number of deaths.

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Car seat design has come a long way since the flimsy metal contraptions of the 1930s. Here are some of the improvements thanks to advancements in research:

• Car seat crash tests
• Longer rear-facing time
• Convertible seats
• Tethers (LATCH systems)
• Better labeling for weight/height limits

The first federal safety standards finally came in place in 1971. Since then, numerous crash tests and other research has fostered a huge market of safer car seats designed for newborns to middle-schoolers.

New studies at the University of Sheffield (in South Yorkshire, England) may contribute even more data to help manufacturers design safer car seats. Advanced 3-D imagery is helping researchers discover the relationship between children’s bone strength for different age groups.

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Flying can be hard enough without a baby and a car seat. If you’re getting ready to book plane tickets this travel season but have never flown with a baby or toddler who still needs a harnessed car seat, you may be inclined to drive instead of fly.

You’ve already got some suitcases, a diaper bag, a purse and maybe even a laptop or tablet. Now you will also be carrying a car seat around the airport. Plus, it may not fit in the airplane seat and you may have never installed one on an airplane.

It sounds like a lot, but you can stop worrying. With some preparation and planning it can be a fun adventure to fly with your baby or toddler. In a lot of ways it is even easier to fly with a baby than without one!

Let’s take a look at some key things to think about. Parents have a lot of questions about car seats on planes. Here are some answers.

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Beyond the Car Seat

When parents think of how to protect their children in an accident, they usually focus on child restraints and seat belts. You may already have found the safest baby car seat, and you may be a pro with securing her in it. That’s great!

But what happens if you or your child’s caregiver is unconscious and unable to communicate when first responders arrive on the scene? Unless your child is both conscious and able to verbally give emergency information, first responders could be missing vital knowledge that can help them save your child’s life.

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In the United States, car crashes are one of the leading causes of child fatalities. Many of these could have been prevented with proper use of a child restraint. Though most are simply not installed or buckled correctly, one contributing (and surprising) factor could be the clothes your child wears in winter.

If you live in a cold climate or experience very cold winters, of course you’ll want to keep your baby warm. Most parents don’t think twice about buckling the car seat straps over their kids’ thick winter coats and snowsuits. The straps may feel nice and snug against your child’s coat, but in reality, they may not be tight enough or be in the proper positions on your child’s body.

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