When I had my first child, I was overwhelmed. There is just so much to learn, isn’t there? One thing, that I didn’t know enough about was car seat safety. I didn’t know how long to keep my baby rear-facing, I didn’t know the height and weight requirements for upgrading seats. I had to look up all the information online and it was still quite over whelming. Add to that, car seat rules and regulations seem to change frequently. I felt in over my head as a new mom.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with car seat safety?
Friends and family always like to give their input on the subject but I wanted something more concrete. I am sure that you do too. Here is a quick car seat position infographic to help you remember better car seat safety. With my first baby, we took her from rear-facing earlier than my son. I am glad that I kept up to date on car seat safety regulations with baby number two. I don’t know about you, but I want my babies to be safe and protected when we are traveling down the road!
I have a two and half year old boy who is in a convertible car seat forward facing right now. He is doing great. I also have a tall seven year old daughter who is sitting in a full back booster seat. She cannot wait to get out of it and into a seat belt on its own. Up until about three months ago, I was still having her sit in a five point harness car seat. She still fit into it, and I felt like it was safer. With all the seats we have for her at this point, it is overwhelming once again.
Which is why, when I saw the new Chicco KidFit booster seat, I was in love. We needed this seat like two years ago!
The Chicco KidFit booster seat is not only a safe car seat for your child, it also grows with them! With ten positions, double padded protection, and one pull tightening, this is an idea booster seat. What I love, is when using the high back on the Chicco KidFit booster seat, you can use it up to 100 lbs!
Booster Seat Safety Tips
Seat belts are designed for adults, not children. So to ensure that your child (ages 4-12) is safe, you must use a booster seat. It is important, when using a booster seat, to check the fit. The lap belt should be straight across the child’s upper thighs. The shoulder belt should be across the middle of the shoulder.
I noticed even when my daughter was ready to transition into a booster seat, she was still unable to keep still. I ended up letting her sit in a five point harness seat a bit longer than normal because of it. So pay attention to your child’s maturity regarding booster seats. Even if they are old enough to transition out of the booster seat, they may not be ready yet.
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My husband went through the training to be a car seat inspector and he says that many parents have their seats installed. A lot of towns have a place where you can go to learn the correct way and have your seat inspected.
I think that’s great Patty. I could have used a car seat inspector with my first child for sure!
This is so important and shouldn’t be taken lightly. We had a specialist come out and visit to install ours, and then had it checked by the CHP as well.
I love that the police will do that too. That is awesome, Nicole!
I didn’t even realize that there was a second stage car seat for ages 2-7. This one certainly looks very sturdy and comfortable
My niece rides around in the car with nothing, and she just turned 6. It drives me nuts! There’s really no excuse these days, for not knowing what you should be doing. There are plenty of folks providing information, like you! When I think back to when my brother was born (1980), it’s scary. Car seats were a joke back then (they weren’t much better when I had kids in the early 90s, either). There are so many options to choose from, and so much information available now. I’m going to have to send some booster seat info their way, for my niece!
I can remember riding in a car without a seat belt even. I must have been three. Nowadays, that shouldn’t be able to fly. I also know people who let their child ride without a booster seat. It is so unsafe. I wish they’d use it too!
For the best possible protection, keep your baby in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat for as long as possible—up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. Recent recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics urge parents to keep their babies rear-facing up to the second birthday. The old rule “12-months-and-20-pounds” that many parents cite when turning their child forward in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement.