One of the most important items that you and your partner will buy as parents is an infant car seat. But, before rushing into a decision regarding what style, type and brand to purchase, it's important to do some research.

Child safety experts say that you should:

♦ Always check the weight limit of any infant car seat you are going to buy. The majority of them will hold infants that weigh up to 30 pounds. You should look at how your baby is positioned in the seat. Is there only one inch of space between Junior's head and the top of the shell? If so, he's too big for it.

♦ Look for an infant seat that has the five-point harness system. This type of restraint has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and one crotch strap and will hold your baby in place in an unexpected event such as if you're involved in a car crash.

♦ Some car seats go well beyond your typical safety features, such as the Britax Chaperone Infant Car Seat, which has an anti-rebound bar.

Although infant seats aren't cheap, experts agree that you shouldn't skimp on any safety products. Some websites may advise parents to buy toddler seats even for young children because they are often cheaper than those for newborns, but following this tip is never a good idea.

Most infants don't fit properly in those designed for older children. When your tiny bundle of joy isn't secured in the seat, it dramatically reduces the chances he or she will be kept safe. There are plenty of ways to save money when buying other items, but endangering your baby in an effort to save a few bucks is never worth it.