There is a wealth of information that can be found online or at your pediatrician's office on how to be sure the car seat you choose is safe and falls within the requirements of the law. Searching out the correct information can be a little tedious, but can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your baby safe in a vehicle.
Know the Car Seat Laws
Remember that many laws have changed in the last few years, so when investigating what is best for your infant, you need to make sure the data is up-to-date. According to recent data as of 2008, babies need to be placed in rear facing car seats until they are around the first year of age or they have reached a weight of at least 20 pounds [Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2008, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008] . The transition to the next size car seat needs to be based mainly on weight and less on age. Just because a child is older does not mean they are not necessarily safer.
Choosing a Car Seat Based on Weight
There are a few things to consider when choosing a baby car seat as well. When it comes to car seats, there are two main types. There is a small rocker style made for infants only and a larger convertible type made for children from birth to 40 pounds. If you are unsure about which is which, check the label on the side of the seat and it should list the weight it is designed for. An infant seat designed for babies only should read up to 22 pounds, while the other should read up to 40 pounds. The larger convertible size can be placed forward or rear facing for both uses. When choosing the style of car seats, most types, whether expensive or not, usually work fine.
How to Use a Car Seat Properly
More important than the style or brand of your baby’s car seat is the way it is used. You must be sure to buckle the baby properly each and every time. A car seat that sits improperly in the car or is not buckled correctly can actually cause more injuries than it prevents. Each seat should come with specific instructions on how to properly align your baby’s seat.
The main thing is that the seat be at a 45-degree angle and that the chest straps fit snuggly to the baby’s chest. Many car models now have buckles to help fasten your new car seat in place. Check your vehicle documentation to insure proper use. If you want to be extremely cautious, you can always take your car seat to your local fire station, and they will align the car seat for you at no charge.
Tips to Ensure Infant Safety
- Avoid buying used car seats. Once a car seat has been in an accident, it may not be safe any longer.
- Check to see what car seats have been recently recalled.
- Make sure the car seat you choose has a return policy.
- While most infants are not transported during daycare, know how the facility handles this situation, if your child ever does need to be driven somewhere.
Finding the best looking seat is not the main issue. The main thing to be concerned with is protecting the cargo it carries. Always be vigilant in buckling your infant in every time you get in the car. Never take a child out of a car seat until she has reached the appropriate age and size. The biggest cause in child injury due to car seats today is the improper use of them. Read all instructions thoroughly and follow every direction to the letter.
Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
