What kind of car seat should I use?
This series, originally published by the Arizona Republic, was produced by the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism and the National Health Journalism Fellowship, programs of the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Journalism. Other pieces in this series include:
Seat Them Safely: Reporting spurs community project
Majority of parents don't install car seats correctly
What you need to know about car-seat safety
5 most common mistakes with car or booster seats
It depends on the age and size of your child. As your child grows, you’ll probably need to replace the seat several times to make sure you use one that fits properly. Generally speaking, you’re best off using new seats, which meet the latest safety standards and include instructions explaining how to install and adjust them. Plastic and webbing can wear out, so experts recommend not using seats more than 6 years old, those that have been involved in a previous accident, or those that don’t have the instruction manual. (Most seats include an expiration date.)
Here are the various types:
Rear-facing
From infancy until at least age two, and longer if possible, babies should ride in rear-facing seats. These seats reduce the risk of head and spinal injuries. In frontal crashes, a rear-facing seat keeps the head and neck from snapping forward.
There are two common types: Rear-facing only seats, designed for infants, can have either a three-point harness (where straps attach that go one over each shoulder and one between the legs) or a five-point harness (which adds straps on either side of the hips). Rear-facing convertible seats can convert to forward-facing when the child is older and always use a five-point harness. Many new convertible seats are approved for rear-facing use for children up to 40 pounds, and some for even heavier children. Some convertible seats can become forward-facing and then booster seats.
Forward-facing
Children too big for rear-facing seats should use forward-facing seats. When they reach the height and weight limits specified by the seat maker, they can move to booster seats. Depending on the child’s size, that typically will be between 4 and 7 years old.
There are four main types of forward-facing seats: Convertible seats, described above, used to be limited to children under 40 pounds, but some new convertible seats have higher weight limits. Forward-facing combination seats are designed to be used with a five-point harness until the child is a certain size, then you remove the harness and use the seat with a lap-and-shoulder belt. Forward-facing only seats are designed for children with special health needs or who are not behaviorally mature enough to use a booster seat. Large medical seats and vests are designed for children with behavioral issues, weak muscles, or excess weight. They can accommodate children weighing as much as 135 pounds.
Booster seats
These seats are used with lap-and-shoulder belts and help position the child so the belts fit correctly. Once a child is too big for a forward-facing seat, you should use a booster seat until he or she is at least 57 inches tall. That is the minimum height to fit properly in a lap-and-shoulder seat belt. Never use a booster seat with just a lap belt.
There are two main types: Backless booster seats, the most common, have a positioner that adjusts the height of the shoulder belt on your child. These seats rely on the vehicle’s seat back to support the child’s back, neck and head. High-back booster seats are designed for vehicles that have low seat backs or don’t have head restraints.