As parents, we often think, "Things were never this cool when I was a kid." If you’ve noticed that thought flitting through your mind more often lately, you won’t be surprised to hear that it applies to baby car seats now too. Yes, even car seats can be cool.

Many manufacturers are applying the style trendy moms and dads love to everyday items like baby seats. Clek offers several baby car seats and boosters with the popular Julius character from Paul Frank. Eddie Bauer applies their outdoor-inspired style and quality to their baby car seats. Check out Mia Moda’s floral prints and line art designs, perfect for stylish families. For bright colors and fun patterns, look to Graco and Britax.

Safety in Cool Baby Seats

While we’re excited that car seats can be cool, it’s important to remember practical features – the most important of which is safety. While almost all mainstream baby car seats are held to the highest standards of quality and design – all with safety in mind – you may want to make a check list of the features that are most important to you. Identify your main concerns and questions before you shop to get you started on the right foot.

The usage stages to be aware of are newborn or rear-facing, then toddler or front-facing, and finally the booster seat stage for small children. The construction basics to look for are a 5-point harness, use of energy-absorbing foam, and a sturdy steel frame. Ergonomic designs and harness configurations will vary, so be sure you review product information carefully to ensure you’re getting a baby seat you trust as much as you like the design.

Green, Convenient Convertible Car Seats

Other practical factors to consider include the carbon footprint and daily usability of your baby seat. Whether you’re looking to waste less or just make life easier, you’re going to love convertible car seats. By choosing a car seat that can be reconfigured from rear- to front-facing styles, and finally converted into a booster seat, you achieve two goals. First, you’ll use manufacturing materials and energy only once. Second, you won’t have to shop again, doing more research, visiting more stores. The brands mentioned above offer convertible models as well as Cosco, Evenflo, Maxi Cosi, Safety 1st, and Sunshine Kids.

Another lifestyle-savvy choice in baby car seats is an adaptable design. Look for bassinets and carrycots that transfer from your car and lock into your stroller. No more waking your baby when you get to where you’re going! Depending on how often you use a stroller, the adaptable baby seats can be a very attractive option as well.