Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 13 which is why it’s so imperative to get a car seat appropriate for the age and size of your child and have it installed correctly. However, have you been to a store lately? There are so many car seats available! Infant seats, booster seats both low and high back, 5 point harnesses, convertible car seats, rear facing and forward—how is a new mom (or even an experienced one!) supposed to choose?
There are four ways a child can ride in the car: rear facing, forward facing, with a booster, and with just a seatbelt.
REAR FACING
1. Infant seat—this seat is designed for infants and is rear facing only. It’s designed to be small and portable. These seats easily move in and out of the vehicle and attaches to a base. These seats have smaller weight and height limits and when an infant reaches these limits a new seat must be purchased
2. Convertible seat—this seat can change from rear to forward facing as the child grows. The limits are larger than an infant seat so the child can stay in the rear facing position longer. It is attached with a harness and tether.
3. All-in-one—this kind of seat grows and change with your child from start to finish. It is attached with a harness and tether and goes from rear facing to forward and ultimately becomes a booster. This also allows the child to stay rear facing longer.
FORWARD FACING
1. Convertible seat—this seat can change from rear to forward facing as the child grows. The limits are larger than an infant seat so the child can stay in the rear facing position longer. It is attached with a harness and tether.
2. Combination seat—this seat changes from a forward facing seat with a harness and tether to a booster.
3. All-in-one—this kind of seat grows and change with your child from start to finish. It is attached with a harness and tether and goes from rear facing to forward and ultimately becomes a booster. This also allows the child to stay rear facing longer.
BOOSTER SEATS
1. High back—this helps the child sit up higher so a seat belt fits properly. The high back is also supportive of the child’s back and neck and is great for vehicles that don’t have high seat backs.
2. Backless—this helps the child sit up higher so a seat belt fits properly. It doesn’t have the additional back and neck support.
3. Combination—this seat changes from a forward facing to a booster as the child grows.
4. All-in-one—this kind of seat grows and change with your child from start to finish. It is attached with a harness and tether and goes from rear facing to forward and ultimately becomes a booster. This also allows the child to stay rear facing longer.
SEAT BELT
1. The child should be able to ride in the car and remain sitting up. The seat belt should lie across the upper thighs and across the chest and resting on the shoulder. This is the optimum way to ride to prevent damage to the body if a crash were to happen.
You can find the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommendations for a car seat based on age and size by clicking here. Please keep in mind laws vary by state. Here are Kentucky’s laws.
Finally, there are some things you want to consider when purchasing a seat other than your child’s age and size.
1. What kind of car seat will best work in your car? You’ll want to find out where your LATCH system and tethers are. A car seat should not touch the front seat either. Some car seats are more compact and others are bigger. Keep in mind how many seats will be in your car as well.
2. How easy is your seat to clean? A smoother fabric will clean better than a textured fabric. NOTE: Please read the manual before cleaning your car seat.
3. How much ease of access do you want to transport your child? Some parents really like the portability of the infant carrier and others don’t mind as much. If you want to carry the seat you’ll want to find one that you can easily lift it and the size of your infant. You will also need to be mindful about where you park when getting your child in and out.
4. Look for something easy to adjust. Some car seats are really easy to adjust when the child grows and others are a lot more difficult.
5. Look for one easy to install. Some LATCH system clips are difficult to operate. How often will you be moving the car seat? If it’s just staying in your car the size doesn’t matter as much. If you will be moving it in and out of cars a lot you need to find one easy to move.
6. Finally, look at “extras” such as cup holders, pockets to hide the buckles, or fabric pattern.
Want to know if your car seat is installed correctly? Check out these resources in Lexington, KY.
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