Car seats have weight and height requirements. Before you purchase a seat, check the one you select is for babies at least 5 pounds. Discuss with your doctor if you think you may deliver early. You may need to get a seat with a 4 pound minimum weight. Most car seats have a lower limit. You may need to get a seat with a shorter minimum height requirement.
All vehicles and car seats vary in size and shape. Some stores will allow you to check if the car seat fits in your vehicle. Read your vehicle owner’s manual to see where you can put a car seat in your vehicle.
You can check the web page of the car seat manufacturer to find videos on how to use each seat. Your car seat must be installed in your vehicle correctly. Check the car seat every time it is used to make sure it hasn’t come loose. Your child needs to be positioned in the car seat correctly every time. Some car seats are easier to use than others.
Car Seat Differences
Rear-Facing Seats should be used until a baby reaches the upper rear-facing weight (usually around 35-40 pounds) or the height limit of the seat. Attach the seat to the vehicle with a seat belt or lower anchors. Use the 5-point harness to the upper weight or height limit of the seat. Make sure the harness is snug at or below the baby’s shoulders. The chest clip should be at armpit level. Never place the seat in front of an airbag. Do not buy or add anything else to the seat.
Forward-Facing Seats should be used after the child reaches the upper rear-facing limits. The child needs to use this seat until he reaches the upper forward-facing height limit of the seat (usually around age 4 and 40-65 pounds; some can be used longer.) Attach the seat to the vehicle with a seat belt or lower anchors and top tether strap. Make sure the harness is snug at or above the shoulders. The chest clip should be at armpit level.
Belt-Positioning Booster Seats should be used when the child outgrows a forward-facing seat. Always use a lap and shoulder seat belt with a booster seat, and never put a shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm. Use a high-back booster for a vehicle seat without a headrest. You should keep the child in a booster seat until an adult seat belt fits properly.
Adult Size Seat Belts can be used after a child outgrows a booster seat. Make sure the shoulder belt is across the chest, not the neck or throat. The lap belt should be low and snug across the upper thighs, not the stomach. A child’s back should be straight against the vehicle seat with their knees bent at the seat edge. Children younger than 13 should always ride in the back seat.
