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Car Seats Series 1a of 5: Selection part 1
As parents, we all want our children to be as safe as possible. A large part of keeping our children safe is using a car seat while in the car. Which begs the question, which car seat is the right car seat?
The first step in selecting the right car seat for you is to determine which stage of car seat your child is in and what type of car seat will work best for your child and circumstances.
The 4 (+) Stages of Car Seats
The type of car seat you need will depend on your child’s age and size and thus which stage your child is in. There are 4 stages of child restraint usage: rear facing, forward facing, belt positioning and seat belts.
Others may not, but we include the prenatal stage as the child in the womb needs special attention and protection while in the car as well. We add it as a “plus” stage.
Stage 0 (or the + stage): Prenatal
There are a surprisingly high number of pregnancies lost every year in car crashes. Actually, studies reveal an average of 3,000 pregnancies lost every year from car crashes. And a 2015 study showed that unborn babies are at least at five times the risk in a car crash compared to newborns in rear-facing car seats.
Not only should pregnant women wear their seat belt, they should wear it properly and use a crash tested pregnancy seat belt positioner. There is only one that we know of that is crash tested. It is the Tummy Shield which redirects the seat belt away from the pregnancy.
Stage 1: Rear Facing
Birth to max limits of rear facing seat — AT LEAST until 2 years old; ideally until age 3 to 4 when they no longer fit their seat in a rear-facing position.
“All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat (CSS) as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the seat’s manufacturer.” – The American Academy of Pediatrics
Why should a child remain rear facing? While a child is rear facing the child’s head, neck and back are all supported and protected by the car seat, reducing the stress to the child’s fragile neck and spinal cord in the event of a crash.
When they are turned forward facing the body is being restrained by the harness strap and the neck and head are unrestrained. The child’s body is dependent on the strength of his spine to handle the stress of a crash. An average nine month old child’s head makes up 25% of his body weight; while an adult’s head only makes up 6% of its body weight. This difference in proportion only adds to the need to protect the spinal column by using a rear-facing car seat.
A toddler’s bones have not fully ossified, and cartilage is connecting a toddler’s vertebrae rather than ossified bone. The longer a child is kept rear facing, the better the chance the spinal column will have strengthened over time.
Types of car seats to use:
- Infant carrier seat: A portable seat with base designed for newborns and small babies. These seats can only be used in a rear facing position. Many of these carriers have an upper weight limit of 30 pounds. I don’t recommend trying to carry a baby nearly that heavy in the carrier. Most infant carrier seats fit in a (or have a built-in) stroller. This makes the carrier convenient for traveling to then getting around your destination with a young baby. You can keep your child rear facing longer if you move from an infant carrier to a convertible or all-in-one car seat.
- Convertible seat in rear-facing position: This is a full size car seat with a 5-point harness that can transfer from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat and will allow a child to remain rear facing longer. As some fit a newborn this could be the first seat which will last until a child outgrows it in a forward-facing position. Opting to go straight into a convertible seat will save money for those on a tighter budget. If you have a preemie, be aware some seats start at 5 pounds, you may need one that starts at “birth”.
- All-in-one seat in rear-facing position: This type of seat can go from rear facing to forward facing to belt positioning as the child grows. While you loose the convenience of having an infant carrier, this is definitely a money saver for the budget-minded parents.
Stage 2: Forward Facing
From the time they outgrow their rear-facing car seat (at the very least age 2, preferably age 3 or 4) to when they outgrow their forward-facing car seat (depends on the child and seat but typically about age 5 or 6).
The purpose of having a 5-point harness is to contact more of the strongest points of the body to distribute the crash forces and help the child better “ride down” a crash.
It’s recommended to always use the tether with a forward-facing car seat as it limits the child’s forward head movement (called head excursion). Also make sure the harness straps are snug enough on the child that you cannot pinch the strap material at the shoulders.
Use this seat until your child’s:
- Height or weight exceeds the car seat’s limits.
- Shoulders are above the car seat’s top harness slots. (The harness strap should be at or above the shoulder for forward facing children.)
- Tip: If you are using a combination seat and your child’s shoulders are above the highest harness slot, it’s time to remove the harness and use the seat as a booster seat with the lap-shoulder seat belt.
- Ears reach the top of the car seat (the child’s head no longer has proper “head rest”).
Types of car seats to use:
- Convertible seat in forward facing position: This is a full size car seat that can transfer from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat.
- All-in-one seat in forward facing position with the harness: This type of seat can go from rear facing to forward facing to belt positioning as the child grows.
- Combination seat with the harness: This seat goes from forward facing with a 5-point harness to a belt positioning booster (without the harness) when the child reaches the harness limits. (Some companies call this a “harness booster” but really it’s used either as a harness seat or as a booster seat. It’s not a “booster seat” with harness.)
- RideSafer travel vest: A vest worn by the child with seat belt guides to properly position the seat belt. It can be used for as the everyday car restraint. At the younger ages of this range, it’s particularly useful as a travel car seat or secondary seat for other cars or for families who live in big cities and take taxis.
Download our report: Common Car Seat Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Stage 3: Belt Positioning
(Many say belt positioning booster but there are other appropriate belt-positioning products, like the RideSafer vest.)
From when the child outgrows their forward-facing car seat (approximately age 5 or 6) to when the child passes the 5-step seat belt fit test (usually somewhere between 8 to 12 years of age).
The purpose of the belt positioning device is to properly position the adult seat belt on the child. The 3-point seat belt is still contacting the strongest points of the child’s body; a shoulder and the hips.
A booster seat does this by lifting the child up to fit the seat belt. A RideSafer vest does this by bringing the seat belt down to fit the child.
A common challenge for children in booster, particularly backless boosters, is the shoulder belt doesn’t stay in proper position because either the child is moving around or the child finds it uncomfortable and places it behind the child’s back or under the arm. The guides on the RideSafer help ensure the shoulder belt stays properly positioned during a drive, even if the child moves or leans over.
Types of child restraints to use:
- All-in-one seat in forward facing position without the harness: This type of seat can go from rear facing to forward facing to belt positioning as the child grows. At this stage the harness is removed and the seat belt is used to secure the child is the booster.
- Combination seat without the harness: This seat goes from forward facing to a belt positioning booster when the child reaches the harness limits. At this stage the harness is removed and the seat belt is used to secure the child is the booster.
- High-back Booster seat: A high-back booster has the back and sides much like a car seat. The sides may have even been crash tested to provide side impact protection. You use the lap-shoulder seat belt over the booster to restrain the child. The booster has guides and arm rests to position the seat belt properly on the child.
- Backless Booster seat: A backless booster is just the seat portion which lifts the child up to fit the seat belt. The arm rests of the seat position the lap portion of the seat belt on the child’s hips. There usually is an strap to help correctly position the shoulder belt, as needed.
- RideSafer travel vest: A vest worn by the child with seat belt guides to properly position the seat belt. The child can sit on the vehicle seat. The guides on the vest properly position the seat belt to the child.
Stage 4: Seat belt only
When the child can pass the 5-step test (below); typically when a child is 4’9″ (57″) tall which doesn’t usually happen until a child is 9 to 12 years old.
The child must pass all of the 5 steps below to be able to use just the seat belt. Many state laws go up to age 8 but most children do not fit properly at that age. Proper fit can vary by car — even by sitting position. Check each position and car your child rides in before you get rid of that booster.
Can your child?
- Sit with his lower back against the seat,
- Feet are flat on the floor.
- Knees naturally bent at the edge of the seat,
- Have the lap belt on his thighs/hip bones,
- Have the shoulder belt cross midshoulder/midchest,
It’s also important the child can sit like this for the entire ride.
Now that you know which stage and which types of car seats to look for, you can go shopping.
Next in the series: Car Seats Series #1b: Selection part 2 – Selecting the Right Car Seat
We want to know, what stage of car seat is your child in? Share your comments below.
By Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004
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