AyiConnect Staff, May 07, 2019
In the U.S., we spend about 290 hours a year on the road, according to the American Driving Survey. We drive to work, go to gatherings, and drive to vacation. Because we spend so much time in our cars and on the road, we need to make sure our precious babies and kids are safe sitting in the back.
With the overwhelming information everywhere, we often receive the following questions:
- Do we need a car seat for our kids?
- What type of car seat should we purchase?
- How long does a child need to use a car seat?
- What is the age limit for a child to stay in a rear-facing car seat before switching to forward-facing?
- When can a child switch to a booster car seat?
To help our parents, we compiled some quick tips for these five questions to navigate through some confusion.
For question #1, yes, you absolutely should. Not only is having a car seat for your children required by every state, which you might receive a fine, but this is also how you protect kids, especially in a car accident. According to the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP), having a car seat for your trips can lower injuries and the risk of death by more than 70 percent.
The truth is, for question 2 – 5, we don’t have a unified answer to them. As we know, every state operates differently; therefore, the laws and regulations vary and often change. However, what we should share is a few general guidelines to level the playing field. Keep in mind, that looking it up at the Governors Highway Safety Association for your state is the best way to keep yourself current.
Below is a quick summary of the basic types of seats and AAP guidelines (read more here on recommendations). In general, purchasing a car seat depends on your child’s development such as age, weight, and height. All children younger than 13 years should be in the back seat of your car.
|
Type of Seat |
Description |
Recommended Age |
AAP Guidelines on Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rear-facing car seat, often referred to as an “infant car seat” |
Typically, they have handles for carrying and can be separated from the base. (Remember, when you leave the hospital and the nurse is adamant about the installation of your car seat. Yep, this is the one.) |
Infants and toddlers (this is the first car seat every new parent will need) |
It is recommended for infants and toddlers to ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, till they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturers. The age of 2 doesn’t apply here anymore. Now, the key is to follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions until the child is 40 pounds or more. |
|
Forward-facing car seat |
Opposite of rear-facing |
Toddlers and preschoolers |
Once they are facing forward, children should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible. It is recommended to use this until they reach the height and weight limits for their seats. Many seats can accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more. |
|
Booster seat |
Booster seats are secured in place by a lap belt. The booster lifts the child so that the lap belt is properly positioned across their shoulder and lap. The lap belt should sit low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area of the child, while the shoulder belt should fit snugly over the chest and shoulder. |
Older children who have outgrown forward-facing car seats such as school-aged kids |
When children exceed these limits, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. To learn when to switch them, it is usually when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and are 12 years old. |
Other alternatives
- Convertible car seat: this type of car seat can be used for rear-facing and forward-facing as your child grows. However, they can't be detached and used as a carrier. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear-facing for two years or more (more than 40 pounds)
- All-in-one (3-in-1 / 4-in-1) car seats: This kind of car seat does it all. They can be rear-facing, forward-facing, a high-back booster seat (3-in-1), and a backless booster (4-in-1) down the line. Typically, they are bulkier than the other car seats but last longer.
With that said, there are still many factors to consider when purchasing a car seat, such as budget and condition. Don't purchase a car seat that is damaged or the manufacturer's date has expired.
The key thing to finding a car seat for your child depends on your child's development. As the AAP recommends, it is one that "fits your child's size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and is used properly every time you drive."
