Welcome to part 2 of our 5 part Parent question series with Annie Mullens with WeePlan Baby Planners.
I did not want to add to much to what Annie had to say this week. She does a GREAT job of explaining the law verses what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. Also, towards the end she gives great recommendations on brands/model carseats/boosters in each category for every price range. I urge every parent to do their research on all options and pick based on what is best for their family. Our intention is not to scare you, but to help educate and point you in the right direction.
As always, I urge you to contact myself, or Annie with further questions. Annie does do this all for a living and is VERY knowledgeable in all things baby products, she is the go to person for new and expecting parents! And now…for what you have been waiting for – CAR SEATS!
Top 5 Products Expecting Parents Have Questions About: Car Seats by Annie Mullens (WeePlan Baby Planners)
The safety of your child is every parent’s number one priority. For that reason, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “Which is the safest car seat for my child?” The universally accepted answer is that the safest child restraint system is the one that best fits your child, your vehicle, and your budget.
Colorado has basic requirements by Law, which I have listed below, followed by the updated “best practice” recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics as of March 21, 2011 (in Italics). I realize that parents often look forward to transitioning from one stage to the next, but these transitions should generally be delayed until they’re necessary, when the child fully outgrows the limits for his or her current stage. A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body. Additionally, a forward-facing seat with a harness is safer than a non-harnessed booster, and a belt-positioning booster seat provides better protection than a seat belt alone until the seat belt fits correctly.
Here are the basics:
REAR FACING SEATS should be installed in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
(The AAP advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. Note: A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention showed that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing.)
FORWARD-FACING TODDLER SEATS should be installed in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds.
(The AAP recommends that children ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness, until they reach at least 4 years old or the maximum weight or height for that seat.)
BOOSTER SEATS should be installed in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8.
(When a child has reached the maximum height and weight of a forward-facing seat with a harness, then a booster will make sure the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder belt fit properly. Most children will need a booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old.)
SAFETY BELTS at age 8 and older or taller than 4’9”.
(The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not near the neck or face. The lap belt should fit low and snug on the hips and upper thighs, not across the belly, if not continue using a booster seat. Children should ride in the rear of a vehicle until they are 13 years old.)
More recommendations:
• ALWAYS follow all manufacturers’ instructions for both the vehicle and the car seat or booster car seat.
• Be sure the car seat/booster car seat is appropriate for a child’s weight and height.
• The back seat is the safest place for children 12 and under to ride.
• Infants, less than one year of age, must ride rear-facing or in a car bed (recommended by your pediatrician)
NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in a seating location with a frontal air bag.
• Always anchor the car seat/booster car seat to the car using the LATCH attachment system or vehicle seat belt exactly as directed by the car seat/booster AND car seat manufacturer.
• NEVER use a forward-facing car seat/booster car seat in a seating location with a frontal airbag unless recommended in your specific vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
• Always check that the car seat/booster car seat is securely installed. A locking clip or belt lock-off may be necessary on some vehicle lap and shoulder belts. Read the vehicle owner’s manual for information on other belt accessories that may be required.
• Do not use a car seat/booster car seat more than six years old.
• Do not use a car seat/booster car seat that has ever been involved in a crash.
• Do not use a car seat/booster car seat missing the manufacturer’s label showing the name of the manufacturer, model number, and date of manufacture.
• Booster car seats are recommended for children age 4 to at least age 8, unless 4’9” tall. But consider height and maturity level as well. Some children are mature enough to handle a booster car seat, while others are unable to remain sitting properly in the adult lap and shoulder belt or keep the vehicle shoulder belt properly positioned.
• Set a good example and make sure the entire family buckles up.
• NEVER buy a used car seat or booster car seat.
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Some highly recommended Car Seats and Boosters:
Infant Car Seats (rear-facing only car seats): Graco Snug-ride, Chicco Keyfit, Maxi-Cosi Mico, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio, and Britax Chaperone or B-Safe, The First Years Via 1450.
Convertible Car Seats (rear-facing, transitioning to forward facing): Britax Boulevard or Marathon, Maxi- Cosi Pria 70, Diono Radian RXT, Evenflo Momentum 65 Deluxe.
Booster Seats: The First Years Compass Ultra B540, Clek Oobr, Evenflo Big Kid LX, Graco Turbobooster, Harmony Literider
-Happy researching! Paige & Annie