Baby Bundles

Changing Time

Meal Time

Bath Time

Sun Time

Baby Travel Gear & Accessories

Toys & Books

Baby Proofing & Safety

Health & Medicine

Organic Baby

Travel System Strollers

"What a great idea!
Thank you so much."
Courteney Cox Arquette

Car Seats

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different car seats on the market, it’s no wonder many parents find this overwhelming.

The type of car seat your child needs depends on several things including age, size, and type of vehicle. To be sure your child is using the most appropriate car seat, read on.







The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. It is even better for them to ride rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer.

There are 2 types of rear-facing car seats: infant-only car seats and convertible car seats.

Infant-only car seat

• Are small and have carrying handles (and sometimes come as part of a stroller system).
• Are used for infants up to 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the model.
• Many come with a base that can be left in the car. The car seat clicks into and out of the base so you don’t have to install the base each time you use it. Parents can even buy more than one base for additional vehicles.

Convertible car seats (used rear-facing)

• Can be used rear-facing then “converted” to forward-facing for older children. This means the car seat can be used longer by your child. They are bulkier than infant car seats, however, and do not come with carrying handles or a separate base.
• Have higher rear-facing weight and height limits than infant-only car seats, which makes them ideal for bigger babies.
• Have the following types of harnesses:
  • 5-point harness—attach at the shoulders, hips, and between the leg
  • Overhead shield—a padded tray-like shield that swings down over the child
  • T-shield—a padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield attached to the shoulder straps

When using a rear-facing car seat, keep the following in mind:

• Make sure the car seat is installed tightly in the vehicle and that the harness fits the child snugly.
• Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a front passenger air bag. If the air bag inflates, it
• will hit the back of the car seat, right where your baby’s head is, and could cause serious injury or death.
• If your rear-facing car seat has more than one set of harness slots, make sure the harnesses are in the slots at or below your baby’s shoulders.
• Be sure you know what kind of seat belts your vehicle has. Some seat belts need locking clips. Locking clips come with all new car seats. If you’re not sure, check the manual that came with your vehicle. Locking clips are not needed in most newer vehicles.
• If you are using a convertible car seat in the rear-facing position, make sure the seat belt is routed through the correct belt path. Check the instructions that came with the car seat to be sure.
• If your vehicle was made after 2002, it may come with the LATCH system, which is used to secure car seats. See below for information on using LATCH.
• Make sure the car seat is at the correct angle so your infant’s head does not flop forward. Many car seats have angle indicators or adjusters that can help prevent this. If your car seat does not have an angle adjuster, tilt the car seat back by putting a rolled towel or other firm padding (such as a pool noodle) under the base near the point where the back and bottom of the vehicle seat meet.
• Be sure the car seat is installed tightly. If you can move the car seat more than an inch side to side or front to back, it’s not tight enough.
• Still having trouble? There may be a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician in your area that can help. See below for information on how to locate one.

Q: What if my baby weighs more than 20 pounds but is not 1 year old yet?
A:Use a car seat that can be used rear-facing by children who weigh more than 20 pounds and keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible, or at least until he has reached his first birthday.

Q: What do I do if my baby slouches down or to the side in his car seat?
A: Pad around your child (never under or behind) with rolled-up cloth diapers or blankets. Do not use any sort of car seat insert unless it came with the car seat or was made by the manufacturer of the car seat.

Q: Can I adjust the straps when my baby is wearing thicker clothing, like in the winter?
A: Yes, but make sure the harnesses are still snug. Also remember to tighten the straps again after the thicker clothes are no longer needed. Dress your baby in thinner layers instead of a bulky coat or snowsuit, and tuck a blanket around your baby over the buckled harness straps if needed.

Q: Are rear-facing convertible car seats OK to use for preemies?
A: Premature infants should be tested while still in the hospital to make sure they can ride safely in a reclined position. Babies who need to lie flat during travel should ride in a crash-tested car bed. Very small infants who can ride safely in a reclined position usually fit better in infant-only car seats; however, if you need to use a convertible car seat, choose one without a tray-shield or T-shield harness. The shields often are too big and too far from the body to fit correctly.



Once your child is at least 1 year of age and weighs at least 20 pounds, she can ride forward-facing. However, it is best for her to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car seat. She should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until she outgrows it (usually at around 4 years of age and about 40 pounds).

There are 5 types of car seats that can be used forward-facing.

• Convertible car seats — car seats that “convert” from rear-facing to forward-facing car seats.
• Forward-facing toddler car seats — these car seats can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 80 pounds (depending on the model).
• Combination forward-facing/booster car seats — these car seats can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 65 pounds (depending on the model) or without the harness as a booster (up to 80 to 100 pounds).
• Built-in car seats — some vehicles come with forward-facing car seats built in. Weight and height limits vary. Read your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for details about how to use these car seats.
• Travel vests—these can be worn by children between 20 and 168 pounds and can be an alternative to traditional forward-facing car seats. They are also useful for when a vehicle has lap-only seat belts in the rear.

Make sure the car seat is installed tightly in the vehicle and that the harness fits the child snugly.

To switch a convertible car seat from rear-facing to forward-facing,

• Move the shoulder straps to the slots that are at or above your child’s shoulders. On some convertible car seats, the top harness slots must be used when facing forward. Check the instructions that came with the car seat to be sure.
• You may have to adjust the recline angle of the car seat. Check the instructions to be sure.
• Make sure the seat belt runs through the forward- facing belt path. When making these changes, always follow the car seat instructions.
• If your vehicle was made after 2002, it should come with the LATCH system, which is used to secure car seats. See below for information on using LATCH.

A tether is a strap that attaches to the top of a car seat and to an anchor point in your vehicle (see your owner’s manual to find where the tether anchors are in your vehicle). Tethers give extra protection by keeping the car seat and the child’s head from moving too far forward in a crash or sudden stop. All new cars, minivans, and light trucks have been required to have tether anchors since September 2000. New forward-facing car seats come with tethers. For older car seats, tether kits are available. Check with the car seat manufacturer to find out how you can get a tether if your car seat does not have one.



Q: What if I drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back seat?
A: It’s best to avoid this, especially if your vehicle has air bags in the front seat. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. If absolutely necessary, a child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness may be the best choice to ride in front. Just be sure the vehicle seat is moved as far back away from the dashboard (and the air bag) as possible.

Q: What do I need to know if my child will be driven by someone else, such as for child care or school?
A: If your child is being driven by someone else, make sure

• The car seat your child will be using is appropriate for the vehicle used for transport.
• The car seat being used is appropriate for the age and size of your child.
• The person in charge of transporting your child knows how to install and use the car seat correctly.

Child care programs and schools should have written guidelines for transporting children. These guidelines should include the following:

• All drivers must have a valid driver’s license. In some states, school bus drivers need to have a special type of license.
• Staff-to-child ratios for transport should meet or exceed those required for the classroom.
• Every child should be supervised during transport, either by school staff or a parent volunteer, so the driver can focus on driving.
Scho
• ol staff, teachers, and drivers should know what do to in an emergency, know how to properly use car seats and seat belts, and be aware of other safety requirements.

For more information on written transportation guidelines for schools and child care programs, visit www.healthykids.us and www.healthychildcare.org.

Q: Should my child ride in a car seat on an airplane?
A: Most infant car seats, convertible car seats, and forward-facing car seats can be used on airplanes, but booster seats and travel vests cannot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that when flying, children should be securely fastened in certified child restraints until 4 years of age, and then should be secured with the airplane seat belts. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Check the label on your car seat or call the car seat manufacturer before you travel to see if your car seat is certified for use on an airplane. You can also consider using a restraint made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA.



Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats. A child has outgrown his forward-facing car seat when one of the following is true:

• He reaches the top weight or height allowed for his car seat with a harness. (These limits are listed on the car seat and are also included in the instruction booklet.)
• His shoulders are above the top harness slots.
• Belt-positioning booster seat
• His ears have reached the top of the car seat.

Booster seats are designed to raise the child up so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. High-back and backless booster seats are available. They do not come with harness straps but are used with the lap and shoulder seat belts in your vehicle, the same way an adult rides. Booster seats should be used until your child can correctly fit in lap and shoulder seat belts. Booster seats typically include a plastic clip or guide to help ensure the correct use of the vehicle lap and shoulder belts. See the instruction booklet that came with the booster seat for directions on how to use the guide or clip.



Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt (never a lap-only belt). When using a booster seat, make sure

• The lap belt lies low and snug across your child’s upper thighs.
• The shoulder belt crosses the middle of your child’s chest and shoulder.

Q: What if my car only has lap belts in the back seat?
A: Lap belts work fine with infant-only, convertible, and forward-facing car seats. They cannot be used with booster seats. If your car only has lap belts, use a forward-facing car seat with a harness and higher weight limits. Other options are

• Check to see if shoulder belts can be installed in your vehicle.
• Use a travel vest (some can be used with lap belts).
• Consider buying another car with lap and shoulder belts in the back seat.

Q: Is there a difference between high-back and backless boosters?
A: Both types of boosters are designed to raise your child so the seat belts fit properly. High-back boosters are useful in vehicles that do not have head rests or have low seat backs. Many car seats that look like high-back boosters are actually combination car seats. They come with harnesses that can be used for smaller children and can then be removed for older children. Backless boosters are usually less expensive and are easier to move from vehicle to vehicle. Backless boosters can safely be used in vehicles with head rests and high seat backs.



Seat belts are made for adults. Your child should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age). This means

• The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat.
• The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly.
• Your child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her knees bent without slouching and can stay in this position comfortably throughout the trip.

Other points to keep in mind when using seat belts include

• Make sure your child does not tuck the shoulder belt under her arm or behind her back. This leaves the upper body unprotected, putting your child at risk of severe injury in a crash or with sudden braking.
• Never allow anyone to “share” seat belts. All passengers must have their own car seats or seat belts.

Q: I’ve seen products that say they can help make the car seat belt fit better. Should we get one of these?
A: No, these products should not be used. In fact, they may actually interfere with proper seat belt fit by causing the lap belt to ride too high on the stomach and making the shoulder belt too loose. They can even damage the seat belt. This rule applies to car seats too; do not use any extra products unless they came with the car seat. There are no federal safety standards for these products and until there are, the AAP does not recommend they be used. As long as children are riding in the correct restraint for their size and age, they should not need to use any additional devices.



When shopping for a car seat, keep the following tips in mind:

• No one car seat is the “best” or “safest.” The best car seat is the one that fits your child’s age and size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and can be used properly every time you drive.
• Don’t decide by price alone. A higher price does not mean the car seat is safer or easier to use.
• Avoid used car seats if you don’t know the car seat’s history. Never use a car seat that
  • Is too old. Look on the label for the date it was made. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long they recommend using the car seat.
  • Has any visible cracks on it.
  • Does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check to see if the car seat has been recalled.
  • Does not come with instructions. You need them to know how to use the car seat.
  • Is missing parts. Used car seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right parts.
  • Was recalled. You can find out by calling the manufacturer or by contacting the Auto Safety Hotline at 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the NHTSA website.
• Do not use car seats that have been in a moderate or severe crash. Car seats that were in a minor crash may still be safe to use. The NHTSA considers a crash minor if all of the following are true:
• The vehicle could be driven away from the crash.
• The vehicle door closest to the car seat was not damaged.
• No one in the vehicle was injured.
• The air bags did not go off.
• You can’t see any damage to the car seat.

If you are unsure, call the manufacturer of the car seat. See Car Seat Manufacturer phone numbers and Web sites for manufacturer contact information.

What you should know about air bags

All new cars come with front air bags. When used with seat belts, air bags work very well to protect teenagers and adults. However, air bags can be very dangerous to children, particularly those riding in rear-facing car seats and to child passengers who are not properly positioned. If your vehicle has a front passenger air bag, infants in rear-facing car seats must ride in the back seat. Even in a relatively low-speed crash, the air bag can inflate, strike the car seat, and cause serious brain and neck injury and death.

Vehicles with no back seat or a back seat that is not made for passengers are not the best choice for traveling with small children. However, the air bag can be turned off in some of these vehicles if the front seat is needed for a child passenger. See your vehicle owner’s manual for more information.

Side air bags

Side air bags improve safety for adults in side-impact crashes. Read your vehicle owner’s manual for more information about the air bags in your vehicle. Read your car seat manual for guidance on placing the car seat next to a side air bag.

LATCH

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is an attachment system that eliminates the need to use seat belts to secure the car seat. Vehicles with the LATCH system have anchors located in the back seat. Car seats that come with LATCH have attachments that fasten to these anchors. Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car seats made on or after September 1, 2002, come with LATCH. However, unless both your vehicle and the car seat have this anchor system, you will still need to use seat belts to install the car seat.





If you have questions or need help installing your car seat, find a certified CPS Technician. A list of certified CPS Technicians is available by state or ZIP code on the NHTSA Web site. A list of inspection stations—where you can go to learn how to correctly install a car seat—is available in English and Spanish at www.seatcheck.org or toll-free at 866/SEATCHECK (866/732-8243). You can also get this information by calling the toll-free NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236) from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday.

• Be a good role model. Make sure you always wear your car seat belt. This will help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.
• Never leave your child alone in or around cars. Any of the following can happen when a child is left alone in or around a vehicle:
• Temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes, and the child can die of heat stroke.
• He can be strangled by power windows, sunroofs, or accessories.
• He can knock the vehicle into gear, setting it in motion.
• He can be backed over when the vehicle backs up.
• He can become trapped in the trunk of the vehicle.
• Always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions. If you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions for your car seat, write or call the company’s customer service department. They will ask you for the model number, name of car seat, and date of manufacture. The manufacturer’s address and phone number are on the label on the car seat. Also be sure to follow the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual about using car seats.

Before buying a car seat, check the manufacturer’s instructions for important safety information about proper fitting and use.

The NHTSA has put together an Ease of Use Ratings System to educate parents and caregivers about car seat features and to assist them in finding the appropriate car seat for their needs.

SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics