When installing car seats, you can install the seat using LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) or the vehicle seatbelt—but not both simultaneously. Each method has specific considerations that will vary by car seat and vehicle, so always default to your car seat manual.

What is it? Latch involves using lower anchors and top tethers built into your vehicle along with corresponding connectors from the car seat. You click the connectors from the car seat to the lower anchors built into your vehicle seat. Top tethers are also used sometimes for rear-facing and all the time for forward-facing.

Pro: This is designed to simplify car seat installation, as it is often more straightforward than a seat belt installation. This can minimize the risk of an improper installation when you are not confident in a seatbelt installation.

Con: LATCH typically has weight restrictions that vary by car seat and vehicle model, which means it's not always an option as your baby outgrows the weight limit of using it. Even if your baby meets the requirements for a LATCH install now, you'll need to carefully monitor growth to ensure you promptly switch to seat belt installation.

What is it? Seat belt installation involves securing the car seat using your vehicle's seat belt. This method requires careful threading of the seatbelt through the appropriate belt path in the car seat (there will be a rear path for rear-facing and a forward path for forward-facing), followed by locking the seat belt according to your vehicle's specifications and car seat manual.

Pro: When installed correctly, seat belt installs have greater longevity as they do not have weight limits like LATCH.

Con: Different car seats offer different locking mechanisms, and this variance by brand and model can present more of a learning curve that is not as intuitive.

Both LATCH and seatbelt installation methods are safe when used correctly. If both are an option, choose the one you are most confident doing.