I am truly not one to push my thoughts on major parenting topics, although I might share what I am thinking or have done in certain circumstances, but what others may or may not do is not my concern or business.
Yet there are certain times where a new parent or even a parent at a new stage may inquire what I have done or what should be done.
Take for instance car seats. This is a huge topic and I see photos splayed all over Facebook, when someone goes against the suggested recommendations here. You may here those against it vilifying those who don’t keep their kids rear facing until a certain age and yet others saying that back in the day the didn’t even sit in a carseat at a certain age.
The reality is that in 2014 there are definitely recommendations as to how babies, toddlers and even kids are protected when traveling in a car and car seat rules.
I am in no way, shape or form opening up a debate here about these, but just trying to share and educate those who may not know or want to find out more about this.
And yet the fact remains that car accidents are the leading cause of death among children worldwide. Statistics show that over 150,000 children get injured each year, and more than a thousand of them die on the road. To ensure your child’s safety, it is important to use a car seat wherein they will be properly restrained at all times. Another thing parents need to keep in mind when shopping for a car seat is to ensure they buy the right one for their children’s age group.
So what are the latest recommendations?
1. Infants~
Children under one year should always be placed in a rear-facing car seat. These types of seats are lighter in weight and easier to carry compared to the car seats for older children. They have a weight limit of between 22 to 35 pounds. If your child outgrows the infant-only car seat but is still under one year of age, it is recommended to move the baby to a convertible or 3-in-1 car seat, but still place it in a rear-facing position. This is because for kids who are that young, facing the rear is five times safer – or they are 75% less likely to be killed or suffer from a crash-related injury.
Infant Car Seat2. Toddlers~
Rear-facing car seats are still recommended for children that are younger than four years old. Always make sure that the shoulder straps and harnesses have been adjusted perfectly to fit your child. They should be snug, with no fold in the material once you have buckled in your baby. The straps should not sag or twist and the chest clip should be positioned around the child’s armpit level.
3. Preschoolers ~
Children that are four years old or older should use a forward-facing car seat. A great tip to know if your child is getting too big for a rear-facing seat is to observe if your child’s head is reaching close to the top of the seat. There should be at least an inch between the top of your child’s head and the edge of their seat, so if they are getting taller than that, it is time to switch to a forward-facing seat.
Forward-facing car seats have harnesses and a top tether to help limit the forward movement of your child when a crash occurs. Once they have outgrown the forward-facing seat with a harness, it is the time to put them in a booster seat until they are old enough to properly fit in an adult seat belt. Remember that the harness and belts should fit snug perfectly across your child’s thighs, stomach and shoulders.
Pre-School Age Car Seat (also know as a Booster Car Seat)
There are lots of car seat models from various manufacturers on the market, so it is important to also check the manufacturer’s reputation to ensure that you are providing the best for your child.
Some brands such as Dorel and Britax include award-winning car seats that have been recognized by various parent groups to be some of the safest on the market. After choosing the best manufacturer, you should then ensure that the installation of the car seat is done properly.
Once this is done, you can be confident that you’ve done everything you can to keep your child safe in their car seat while on the road.
Trust me I have been at all three stages now with my kids and can honestly say, this one might be a hot spot, but still the only true way to protect your child is to know the recommendations here and do your research as best as you can.
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massholemommy says
My oldest is nine and I feel like there was so little information about this sort of thing out there when I had him. So I chose a car seat with a fabric/pattern that I liked.
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Janine Huldie says
Some of this information was just becoming available when I had Emma almost 5 years ago, but it has gotten more in depth over the years for sure as I was looking at these regulations again. So, I do know what you mean.
tamaralikecamera says
Wow. We were told to forward face Scarlet at age one. Things have changed! I can't imagine her being rear-facing until four. Des too. I won a fantastic car seat from the Growing Up Madison blog and it's so gorgeous! And of course, a very, very safe one.
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Janine Huldie says
I know Emma and Scarlet are the same age and were told the same thing back then. Trust me, I can't even imagine it now either, but was shocked when I read some of the latest recommendations and knew I had to share. I love the car seat you won from Growing Up Madison and seriously is a very good and safe model 🙂
Rosey says
My son is 6 and has to sit in a car seat still, the thing is he keeps getting taller, so we keep having to upgrade. In fact, he's outgrown the one in dad's car. We used the 'head is taller than' tip you gave and his weight limit in comparison to the weight limit guide on the car seat.
These are good tips to share. And the clip at armpit length is a good one to reiterate too, I see people not pulling that up in pictures all of the time and I want to reach into the computer and slide it up for them. 😉
Janine Huldie says
I know I am so with you on that instinct too, Rosey!! 🙂
The Dose of Reality says
Great, great, great post all parents should read!! The recommendations DO change as time goes by and parents need to keep up. My 10 year old is still in a booster because she's a shorty. She doesn't fit the seat belt right without it yet. –Lisa
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I know I seriously couldn't agree more and was asked if I would share some of this here and couldn't say no. I have a feeling Emma will be like your 10 year old, because she is and has alway s been short for her age. So, I know I will have to continually keep up with rules and recommendations for both my girls, but especially for Emma. Thanks so much for tweeting, too!! 🙂
karen says
It was so nice to transition from a car seat to a booster seat. It saved room and made Dino feel like a big boy…but it took a LONG time to stop worrying about how much the "protection was different". Since we only have one, we use the regular seat belt and the middle seat belt on the other side of the booster and put it through the loop too…I want extra protection.
Janine Huldie says
I know the feeling Karen and trust me, even having two in my cramped backseat, I worry and am constantly checking that seats are secure and such.
Sara says
Such an informative post. Luke is already growing out of his infant car seat. I'm sad at the thought of putting him in the 3 in 1. Before you know it he will be in the booster seat.
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Janine Huldie says
I remember when Lily grew out of the convertible car seat was truly bittersweet for me, because I knew I wasn’t having anymore babies. So tally can relate Sara.
notinjersey says
great info, thanks for sharing!
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Janine Huldie says
My pleasure and thanks Dara 🙂
Billybuc says
Good information Janine! Very important for young parents. I hope you have dug out of the snow and life is back to normal around there. Have a great day my friend.
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Bill and was truly happy to help here with this information for all parents. And we are all dug out, but now it is freezing and still so much ice all over because of that. And more snow supposedly to come this weekend. Praying for spring now soon! Enjoy your Thursday now 🙂
christinemhutchinson says
Really important information here. My almost 10 year old still sits in a booster. I'm still not exactly clear on when she can come out of it, and she has been asking…Is there a height/weight requirement that kids should meet to get rid of the car seat?
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Janine Huldie says
When I looked into this, I found that the newer guidelines say up to age 8 or even 80 lbs. I would say if you aren't sure, definitely ask your pediatrician, because I know I have asked mine when I have been unsure as the regulations seem to change quite often now. Hope this helps and thanks always Christine 🙂
Diane Roark says
Janine,
Thanks for all the great information on car seats. I hope this post gets a lot of attention. This information will save lives. I am PINNING IT!
My youngest daughter is 11 but just recently reached 60 pounds. I finally let her out of her booster seat.
Blessings and have a great day!
Diane Roark
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Diane for your kind words and also for the pin. I am so happy to be able to share this to help others who may not be sure of the latest recommendations!! 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
It's amazing how the rules keep changing. We took the boys out of car seats when they started kindergarten – the way I saw it, they rode the bus to school (without a seatbelt even) so they were ready. Plus they weren't tiny!!! I think the rules have changed to 8 now or something?!
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Janine Huldie says
I know it is crazy and I worked at a summer camp for a few years before I had my first. The 4 year olds back then didn't need a car seat on the bus into camp, but nowadays that so not the case. So, I know the regulations and rules for this just keep on changing every year now pretty much. So, glad to share here and keep everyone informed 🙂
Mary says
A very great post!
Thanks for sharing!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Mary and happy to share!! 🙂
realhousewife says
My goodness when I was little there was no such thing as a car seat! I used to sit on my mom's lap…that was my car seat:). That's crazy though…people just didn't know better and there weren't any laws regarding such. I wouldn't have left the drive way without having my kids strapped backward and tied down:)) lol. I do think it's just safer…but gosh glad those days are over for me!
Janine Huldie says
I know completely Kelly and I even sat in the front seat in the middle of both my parents in a bench seated car when I was kid. Seriously times have totally changed, because I too would never leave without having my kids buckled in as safely as possible now, too!
Lady LIlith says
Nice tips. My little ones have great seats but I know many people in the market now.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Lady Lilih and very happy to be able to help all here on this.
catherine gacad says
great post, janine. i gotta figure all this out pretty soon! i remember a friend of mine telling me that kids need to be in a car/booster seat until 80-85 pounds and i laughed, "so i need to be in a car seat?"
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Catherine and I am between 105 -110 lbs, so not far behind you either!! 🙂
Brittnei Washington says
This is definitely a good post. I have to admit my husband has fought me on putting our son rear facing because he thinks my son's legs are too long to stay that way. I agree with him, but I know I guess according to research they are now saying because he's still under 2, he's supposed to be rear facing not forward facing! 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Brittnei, they totally keep changing and will tell you that when Emma turned one, 4 years agai, we were told to turn her forward facing. And now like you say it is up to 2 before you are supposed. Just means we moms have to keep up on it for our little ones I suppose.
Nellie says
This is a REALLY hot button topic. A saw that another blogger posted something on her instagram once and hashtagged #carseat and the carseat police came after her!! I have had my toddle forward facing for a while, but I guess I am doing it wrong! My eldest child looks to have the correct seat though.
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Janine Huldie says
Nellie, it keeps changing, so I was happy to share, but trust me, I seem to have trouble keeping up here, too. And I actually had Emma begin to face forward right before I had Lily, when she finally hit a little over 20lbs as per her pediatrician’s suggestion. But now this again is not the case. And just scary about that picture that was posted and the repercussions.
Riding Coastal says
This is a topic that is always tough for us. We want to find a car seat that will last the longest and have the most protection. When Caden was born we needed to get Madison a new car seat and went with the Diono. So far we really like it, the reviews are good and Maddie likes it! So difficult finding the 'best' one! A topic always between moms.
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Janine Huldie says
Glad you have car seat for your little ones that you love and trust. I totally agree that one is always between us moms for sure 🙂