Selecting a car seat or travel system for your baby can be mind-boggling with all the latest options available. Take a moment to understand the basics of choosing a car seat and your decision will be a bit easier.

Types of Car Seats

There are four basic types of car seats that you will find. When you see all the brands with their bells and whistles, you might be tempted to just grab the first seat you see and make a break for the check out. However, if you take a moment to learn what type of seat you need before you shop, your eyes are less likely to glaze over and you'll make the best decision.

Many parents purchase a rear-facing infant seat for their new baby. These seats are intended for babies that weigh from 5 to 20 pounds, though some may be rated for a bit more weight. Some are strapped into the car with the seat belt after the handle has been turned to the bottom. Others have a base that stays in the car, making it simple to snap the seat in and out as needed.

The benefit of rear-facing car seats is that they have a handle that makes it easier to carry with Baby inside. It is also much easier to put a newborn into a car seat that is right in front of you than it is to crawl into the car while carrying your baby.

The downside is that these types of seats can get very heavy, even with ergonomic handles, which makes the stroller option a very useful thing. Some rear-facing seats will have a nice feature that your baby will thank you for--a sunshade. Keep in mind, if the seat of your dreams doesn't have a sunshade, you can purchase one. But this is definitely something you will want because few things are more stressful than trying to drive with your baby screaming in the back seat because the sun is in her eyes. A sunshade will prevent this from happening.

Convertible seats are handy because when your baby exceeds 20 pounds (which will happen sooner than you think!) you can just turn it around and make it a forward-facing seat instead of purchasing a new one. Typically, you will want to turn it forward when your child is one year old and at least 20 pounds--both of these criteria need to be met; not one or the other.

Travel systems offer a rear-facing seat that will snap onto a wheeled base, creating an instant stroller. Some travel systems also incorporate a convertible seat that can be changed from a rear-facing to a forward-facing seat as the child gets older.

This can certainly save the hassle of having to shop again when your baby gets too big for her infant seat, but it can also mean you are stuck with a high priced piece of equipment that you don't especially like if it doesn't meet your expectations.

A basic rear-facing seat isn't terribly expensive, but a complete travel system can run from $130 to $400 or more. Compare prices and features to see if this type of system is right for you and your budget. Before purchasing any car seat or travel system,...