Car Seat Confusion: Which direction? Which location? When do they outgrow it?

Recent Study Shows Parents are Puzzled

By Kimberlee Mitchell, National Child safety Expert & CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician)

There’s no question that parent’s #1 concern about car seats is SAFETY. However, when it comes to the specifics about car seat requirements (i.e. how long child should ride in it and the best place to install it) the majority of parents are confused and lacking knowledge. (Source: Recent study by AAA and Dorel Juvenile Group.)

That’s not so shocking to me. Most retail stores which sell car seats display a vast abyss of baby gear! So many models; colors; price ranges; technology; matching accessories! Which goes with what? It’s enough to give a parent heart palpitations. Then to have to keep track of the laws for your state as well as Federal legislation–it can all be very overwhelming.

Parents, let me help cut through the clutter and offer some advice. Keep it conservative & consider safety before style.

Tip #1: CHOOSING A NEWBORN/INFANT CARRIER: (Your child’s first car seat.)

1. Choose an INFANT CAR SEAT with the highest weight, height and age maximum for rear- facing. SOME GO UP TO 35 lbs, which is ideal!

a. Your child is 75% safer in a crash when he is rear-facing so consequently; you will want to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.

2. Make sure it FITS YOUR CHILD per manufacturer’s specifications.

3. Make sure it FITS IN YOUR CAR’S BACK SEAT.

a. READ the child restraint manual and the vehicle owner’s manual for with proper installation and for the best location for the seat.

4. Make sure you can INSTALL IT CORRECTLY in the SAFEST LOCATION in car EVERY TIME.

a. Make an appointment with a CPST to check your work and to learn proper installation techniques.

Tip#2: CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS: (Once they have outgrown the infant car seat.)

1. Choose a CONVERTIBLE car seat with the highest weight, height and age maximum for rear- facing.

a. Your child is 75% safer in a crash when he is rear-facing so consequently; you will want to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.

b. When your child reaches the maximum height or weight for rear-facing, turn the car seat forward -facing.

2. Make sure it FITS YOUR CHILD per manufacturer’s specifications.

3. Make sure it FITS IN YOUR CAR’S BACK SEAT.

a. READ the child restraint manual and the vehicle owner’s manual for with proper installation and for the best location for the seat.

4. Make sure you can INSTALL IT CORRECTLY in the SAFEST LOCATION in car EVERY TIME.

a. Make an appointment with a CPST to check your work and to learn proper installation techniques.

Tip #3 CHOOSING A BOOSTER SEAT: CHILDREN 8 YEARS OLD & UNDER or 4 feet 9 inches and under:

1. Choose a high back belt-positioning booster with that highest weight, height and age maximum.

2. Make sure it FITS YOUR CHILD per manufacturer’s specifications.

3. Make sure it FITS IN YOUR CAR’S BACK SEAT.

a. READ the child restraint manual and the vehicle owner’s manual for with proper installation and for the best location for the seat.

4. Make sure you can INSTALL IT CORRECTLY in the SAFEST LOCATION in car EVERY TIME.

a. Make an appointment with a CPST to check your work and to learn proper installation techniques.

TRY IT BEFORE YOUR BUY IT:

Keep in mind that most retailers will allow you to take the child restraint out of the box to see if it fits your child. Also ask if they will allow you to bring the child restraint to your car to make sure it’s a proper fit. You’d be surprised how many seats don’t fit! TRY IT BEFORE YOUR BUY IT and you will save yourself some frustration and wasted time.

CALL THE PROS TO CHECK YOUR WORK:

Then have the pros check your work as there any many variable people miss all the time. We hear “I would have never thought about that!” and “I never considered the location of the car seats in my car being a safety hazard to my other children.” Click here

to find a Certified Child Passenger Safety Tech in your area! God Speed and safe travels!

Kimberlee Mitchell, child safety expert and founder of Boo Boo Busters Professional Babyproofing Service in southern California, is chief advisor to the Safety 1st Squad development team. Kimberlee has partnered with Safety 1st to expand her home childproofing service expertise to the east coast through the launch of the Safety 1st Squad! Read more of her safety tips on the Safety 1st Squad blog.

Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST