Most of us wouldn't even think of travelling in a car without fastening our seatbelt, and for good reason. In a crash, at just 30 miles per hour (48.3 kilometers per hour), an unrestrained passenger is thrown forward with a force thirty to sixty times their body weight. What if that unrestrained passenger were a small child? The child would almost certainly be hurled about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and other passengers. Worse still, they're likely to be thrown from the vehicle through one of the windows.

It's not even safe to hold a child on your lap while driving. In a crash, the child could be crushed between your body and part of the interior of the car. Even if you were held in by a seatbelt the child would be pulled from your arms by the force of the collision. You simply wouldn't be able to hold on to the child, no matter how hard you tried.

Car Safety Image Gallery


Photo courtesy Amazon.com
Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat with LATCH. See more car safety pictures.

The bottom line is that the safest way for children to travel by car is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size, and is fitted correctly. In this article, we'll examine the technology at work and find out how to choose the best child seat.

Learn More: Baby Names, Nurseries, and Education
Over the last fifty years, American parents have radically increased the variety of names they give their children. In the 1950s, the 50 most popular names accounted for 63.4 percent of all boys born, and 52.1 percent of all girls. But by 2004, the top 50 names covered only 34.6 percent of the boys and 24.4 percent of the girls. Find out how baby names have evolved over the years.

From the moment you bring your precious infant home, his or her (or their!) room should be a special place for you and your child. So the sooner you feel comfortable in the nursery, the better. Find our more about decorating your nursery.

If you're like most parents with a baby or toddler, chances are the name "Baby Einstein" is part of your everyday vocabulary. Your playroom may, in fact, include copies of "Baby Mozart" and "Baby DaVinci" right alongside your child's building blocks, stacking rings and other toys. Read more about Baby Einstein products, and whether they're right for your family.
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