Car seat conundrum: What you need to know about choosing a car seat for your child - and using it safely

When you have a new baby, there are many things to worry about -- one of them being which car seat to buy. Should you get a front-facing or rear-facing one? Is there one manufacturer that's better than another? And how do you make sure the seat is installed correctly so it will protect your baby in case of an accident?

We asked area experts for their advice on the car seat conundrum.

When it comes to car seats, it's not "one size fits all."

"You should choose a car seat that fits your child best, based on their height and weight," says Rachel Penny, Safe Communities Program coordinator at the Cape Girardeau Police Department. "Choose one that's easy to install and fits your car best."

Following the manufacturer's instructions is key.

"The car seat manufacturers are the ultimate authority," says Max Goshen, a firefighter and paramedic at the Jackson Fire Department who also is a trained car seat technician. "I don't really have a favorite [brand of] car seat. Just make sure you read the instructions and follow basic guidelines before you install it."

Penny and Goshen agree that rear-facing seats are best for babies and small children.

"Parents want to use front-facing seats as soon as possible so they can see the child and the child can see them," says Goshen. "But if the child is still the size that needs to be in a rear-facing car seat, parents should keep them in those."

Penny agrees that putting a child in a front-facing seat too soon is a mistake.

"Keep them in a rear-facing seat as long as possible," she says. "They are much safer, and a rear-facing car seat will protect their spinal cord much better than a front-facing seat if they are in an accident."

Rachel Penny, Safe Communities Program coordinator, poses for a photo at the Cape Girardeau Police Department.Glenn Landberg

Some rear-facing car seats now accommodate larger children.

"Some rear-facing car seats will comfortably hold a child up to 40 pounds," says Penny. "But others only go up to 25 or 30 pounds. As long as the child is comfortable in the seat and meets the height and weight requirements of the rear-facing seat, it's best to keep them in those."

Goshen also suggests checking the expiration date on car seats, especially those that have been passed down in families.

"Most of them only have about a four- to five-year shelf life," she says. "They are made of plastic and can deteriorate from being exposed to extreme weather conditions."

Help is available if you need to make sure you have installed your child's car seat correctly. The Jackson Fire Department and the Cape Girardeau Police Department have people on staff who are trained in car seat safety and installation.

Rachel Penny, Safe Communities Program Coordinator, poses for a photo at the Cape Girardeau Police Department Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016.Glenn Landberg

"Just be sure to call first and make sure someone is available," says Goshen.

Penny agrees.

"It's best to make an appointment," she says. "That way, someone will definitely be here to help you when you arrive."

When it comes to choosing a car seat, Goshen offers these final tips: "Car seats can be both simple and complex. Feel free to contact us or the manufacturer and ask for help."

Penny sums up her views on car seat safety in these words: "Please use car seats and be sure to use them correctly."