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Car Seats 101
Jul 20 2009 by Jennifer Newman
Child-safety seats are a major source of annoyance for parents. It’s hard to know which one is right for your child and car, and even with (or especially with) Latch connectors, the installation process leaves a lot to be desired.
There’s some relief coming for parents, though. The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that, starting with the 2011 model year, automakers recommend car seats in several price ranges for each car model.
Until then, MotherProof.com has created this car-seat guide — using the federal government’s guidelines — for all the stages of your child’s life. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides a state-by-state breakdown of child-safety seat laws here.
Car Seats for Infants
Positioning: Infants should ride in the backseat in a rear-facing car seat until they’re at least 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Rear-facing is the safest position in a car, especially for infants because it lessens the risk of a spinal cord injury if there’s a collision.
Seats: Infants can ride in either infant-only seats with carrying handles or convertible car seats, which can be used rear-facing then switched to forward-facing — hence the name. The infant-only seat’s handle makes it easy to tote your baby around, but most infants outgrow the seat between 4 months old and 8 months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The convertible seat can be used well into a child’s toddlerhood, but it isn’t portable like an infant-only seat.
Did you know: The federal government recommends young children remain in rear-facing seats until they reach the height and weight limit on their car seats. It might seem odd to have your 18-month-old riding in a rear-facing convertible car seat — yes, her legs will be folded up — but it’s the safest position for a child.
Video: What’s the Safest Place for a Car Seat?
Car Seats for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Positioning: Of course, all car seats should be installed in the backseat. Once your child is a year old and weighs more than 20 pounds, you can choose to keep the convertible car seat in the rear-facing position, as recommended by the federal government, or you can turn the convertible car seat to a forward-facing position. One more time, convertible car seats can be used in a rear-facing or forward-facing position. If you’re using a car seat that converts into a booster seat, it can only be installed in a forward-facing position. These seats can be used until a child is 4 years old and weighs 40 pounds.
Seats: Here’s where you get your money out of a convertible car seat you used during your child’s infancy. The convertible car seat can be used well into children’s preschool years and can be turned to a forward-facing position.
A combination forward-facing car seat/booster seat can also be used. This type of seat uses a five-point harness during the toddler and preschool years, then later converts into a booster seat to be used with your car’s seat belt as your child grows.
Did you know: Forward-facing convertible seats and combination car/booster seats use a top-tether strap (this isn’t used with rear-facing convertible seats) to help anchor the top of the car seat to the car. All cars and trucks manufactured after the 2000 model year have top-tether anchors. Just when you thought you were done — having installed your forward-facing seat with the seat belt or lower anchors — it’s time to keep on going; you’ll also need to attach the top-tether strap.
Video: When Should My Car Seat Face Forward?
Booster Seats for School-Age Children
Positioning: Just like other car seats, booster seats should be used in the backseat, and only in cars with both lap and shoulder belts. If your car only has a lap belt, you’ll need to use a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness and a higher weight restriction (some can fit kids weighing up to 80 pounds). Booster seats are for children ages 4-8. Once your child is 4 feet, 9 inches tall, she’s big enough to safely ride in a car using a seat belt. A good test for this is to see if your child can sit with her knees bending over the front edge of the vehicle’s seat and the seat belt crossing over her shoulder, rather than her neck.
Seats: There are two types of booster seats, those with backs and those without. High-back boosters can be used in any car, whereas backless booster seats can only be used in backseats that have built-in headrests.
Did you know: Booster seats are designed to raise a child up so a lap and shoulder belt fits them correctly. A fringe benefit is that they also improve a child’s view out the car, minimizing car sickness and keeping little ones happier in the car.
Video: When is it Time to Put Your Child in a Booster Seat?
Seat Belts for Older Kids
Seats: Congratulations, you no longer have to wrestle with car seats. There are, however, a few rules to keep in mind — even at this stage.
Positioning: Children 8 and older and taller than 4 feet, 9 inches can ride in the car using only a seat belt. However, the federal government recommends that all kids younger than 12 ride in the backseat.
Did you know: State laws vary on seat belt use for children. To check your state’s laws, click here.
Tips and Resources
We’ve all made mistakes when installing a car seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a Child-Safety Seat Inspection Locator to help you find a nearby child-passenger safety technician who can check your car seat’s installation.
We spoke with car seat safety expert Bill Flinchbaugh, aka the Car Seat Guy, in a series of videos that look at car-seat safety. Here are some of his helpful tips:
What to Expect at a Car-Seat Checkpoint
Top Three Car-Seat Installation Mistakes
What’s the Safest Place for a Car Seat?
When Should My Car Seat Face Forward?
When is it Time to Put Your Child in a Booster Seat?
