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Which
Car Seat Is Right for Your Child?
A valuable age-by-age
guide to your child's car seat needs.
As
your child grows, you'll need to change the direction that his car
seat faces and how he sits in it--and you may need to buy a new seat.
Check out this age-by-age guide to keeping car travel safe for your
little one.
Infants
Kids must remain
rear-facing until they're 1 year old and 20 pounds, preferably longer.
Your options are:
Infant-only seat:
This can be used until baby weighs 20 to 22 pounds or his head is
within 1 inch of top of the seat.
Rear-facing convertible: Most babies use this next, because they still
need to ride rear-facing. (It may be used from birth, but infant-only
seats fit small babies better.) Choose one certified to face rear
until baby weighs at least 30 pounds.
Toddlers
For kids who are at least 1 year old and 20 pounds, though they should
ride rear-facing as long as possible, options are:
Forward-facing
seat: This can be used until your child weighs 40 to 60 pounds. (Most
are convertible and fit to 40 pounds.)
Combination seat: This functions with a harness until the child reaches
40 pounds. Remove the harness and it converts to a belt-positioning
booster, which can be used for kids up to 80 pounds with your car's
lap/shoulder belt.
Preschoolers
and Up
For children
who have outgrown seats with a harness, use a belt-positioning booster
with lap/shoulder belt in the car. It fits kids up to 80-100 pounds.
Most kids need boosters from about age 3 or 4 to at least age 8. Children
need head support; use a high-back booster if the car has a low backseat.
A backless booster can be used if the car's seat has a headrest.
Once
You've Bought
Practice buckling the seat into your car before your baby's first
ride.
Make sure the
harness straps fit snugly on your baby's body. Use the lowest harness
slots for a newborn infant. Keep the straps in the slots at or below
your baby's shoulders for the rear-facing position.
Make sure the
harness straps fit properly over the shoulders and between the legs--this
is very important. Dress your baby in clothes that keep legs free.
To fill empty
spaces and give support, roll up a couple of small blankets and tuck
them between your baby's shoulders and head, on both his right and
left sides.
If he still slumps
down, put a rolled diaper between his legs behind the crotch strap.
Don't put thick padding underneath or behind the baby.
Additional
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (800) 424-9398,
(888) 327-4236, www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
