Car Seats
The most common question from parents is “What is the best car seat?”

The answer is that no single “best seat” exists for all children and vehicles. The best or safest seat is one that:

• fits your child's size and weight
• fits in the vehicle tightly
• will be used correctly on every ride.

Compatibility between child safety seats and vehicles is a major issue. Safety belts seem like simple devices, yet installation can cause headaches. Many varieties of safety belt systems exist, but some types developed to improve comfort or safety for adults have been found to be less beneficial to children.

LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) is the new way to install children’s car seats in motor vehicles. This system makes use of special fittings instead of seat belts. If both the vehicle and the car seat have LATCH attachments, use them instead of the seat belt, if they make the car seat fit tighter. In many vehicles, but not all, the LATCH system will make it easier to install a tighter fitting car seat.

• Always read and follow manufacturers’ instructions for both the car seat and vehicle. Anchor the seat tightly with either the vehicle belt or the LATCH system.
• Dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness to fit between the legs. Do not swaddle in a blanket or use a bulky snowsuit.
• Put harness straps in lowest slots. (They need to be at or below your baby’s shoulder level.) Make harness snug. You should not be able to pinch slack in the straps between your fingertips. After the harness is buckled and adjusted, you can cover the baby with a blanket.
• Put the infant in the back seat of the car. Never put a baby in a front seat with an active airbag. The back is safer for all passengers.
• The rear-facing position is the safest. Infants should ride facing the rear to at least age one, longer if possible.
• Recline the infant seat far enough back so the baby’s head does not flop forward. Do not recline the seat further than 45 degrees.
• The day before you take your baby home from the hospital, bring in your car seat, adjust straps, etc. Make sure the seat will provide a correct fit for your baby. If it does not, you will want to find a different one before going home. Ask your nurse for assistance, as needed. Before leaving, you will want to settle your baby in the car seat in the comfort of your room.
• It is your responsibility to know your car seat and vehicle and to place your baby in the car seat and vehicle when you leave the hospital. Hospital staff will not place your baby in your car seat or place the seat in your vehicle.
• For babies born small or premature, a smaller car seat may be needed. Your provider may order a car seat test to determine if your baby needs a different car seat. Ask your nurse or care coordinator for more information.
• Children under the age if 13 should ride properly restrained in the back seat. And remember, most children ages 4 to 8 are not big enough to fit in an adult safety belt. They should use a booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
• For additional information or to schedule an appointment for a car seat evaluation, please call 320-229-5139.
• For more information, visit www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us.