Fixing Common Problems with Newborns and Car Seats

Every day parents strap their precious newborn into the car seat  for the first time and take the long slow nerve racking ride home. Many times parents notice that their newborn doesn't fit in their car seat exactly how they expected. Newborns have very little head control and parents notice that the baby's head tends to flop forward, causing chin to chest. Sometimes they notice that the baby seems to be slouching in the seat or leaning side to side. These are common issues associated with newborns and car seats.
Some times the car seat comes with a head support that can help with these problems. But most of the time parents try to use after market products, like head supports that don't come with the seat, to fix these problems.  This can be dangerous since these head supports are not tested with the car seat and most of the time it doesn't fix the problem. A head support that did not come with your car seat can sometimes even increase the chances that your baby will have chin to chest. Im hoping I can go over a few tips and tricks here to help fix these problems.

First of all when shopping for an infant car seat keep mindful on the lowest weight limit. If you are expecting twins or a low weight baby you may want to opt for a infant car seat that has a 4lb minimum weight limit. Most infant car seat have a 5lb weight limit and will fit the average newborn just fine. Also infant car seats with low bottom slots are more likely to fit newborns. Something with bottom slots around 5-7 inches will fit a newborn best.
I also recommend buying a car seat with the ability to adjust the tightness of the harness in the front and not the back. Front adjust seats are much easier to adjust the tightness of the harness than rear adjust.

Font Adjust: you pull the tail hanging from the front of the car seat to tighten the harness

Rear Adjust: you pull each individual tail behind the car seat to adjust the tightness of each side of the car seat's harness. This can be difficult.

Top 3 infant seats I recommend are:

•  Graco SnugRide 30, 32, and 35          
                   30 weight limit 4-30 lbs; lowest bottom slots 6.5 in
                   32 weight limit 5-32 lb; lowest bottom slots 7 in
                   35 weight limit 5-35 lb; lowest bottom slots 6.5-7.5 in
• Chicco Keyfit 30 weight limit 4-30 lbs; lowest bottom slots 7 in
• Britax Chaperone weight limit 4-30 lbs; lowest bottom slots 6.5 in without insert, 5.25 in. with low birth weight insert

One of the most common complaints of parents with young babies is that their head flops forward to their chest. This can be dangerous. Baby's have small air ways and weak necks. When their chin touches their chest it can effect their breathing. So it is important that the baby's chin does not touch its chest. This can be fixed by making sure that the baby's car seat is properly reclined.

From the Car Seat Lady Blog

Most babies are going to need the car seat to be reclined at a 45 degree angle. You may not recline their car seat any more than 45 degrees and you should always follow the level indicators on the car seat. If your child's car seat doesn't have a level indicator, just a level line, you may use a level app on a smart phone to determine the recline angle.

Some car seats have a foot that is able to adjust to increase the recline in the car. Try installing the seat with the foot in all the different levels of recline until you get as close to a 45 degree recline without going over 45 degrees.

But sometimes the most reclined position isn't enough to achieve the angle you want. You'll need to use either a tightly rolled towel or a pool noodle. For this demonstration Ill be using pool noodles. You can get these at Walmart during the spring/summer months for less than $2 a noodle. During fall/winter check with some of the pool supply stores to see if they have any.

• First cut the pool noodle to be the same length as the base of your car seat.

• Then place it at the bite of the vehicle seat. This is were the back portion and seat portion of the vehicle seat meets.

• Place your car seat on top of the pool noodle and install your child's car seat according to the car seat's manual.

If this is still not enough recline for your newborn you may use 3 cut pool noodles taped in a pyramid. Place the 3 noodle pyramid in the bite of the vehicle seat and install the car seat according to the car seat's manual .

You can see in these pictures the difference in recline.

• With the car seat's recline foot all the way in 

• With the car seat's recline foot all the way out

• With one noodle

• With a 3 noodle pyramid

Once you have achieved the appropriate angle for your child's car seat you are now ready to place your child in the car seat. There's a few things you should be sure of when placing your baby in their car seat.

• The harness straps need to be at or below your baby's shoulders

• The chest clip needs to be even with their armpits.

• The harness should be snug enough to pass the pinch test.You should not be able to pinch any extra harness webbing at the child's collar bone.

Too loose!

Correct!

• An important thing to keep in mind is to make sure there isn't slack in the harness at the hips.

• Pull up on the harness at the shoulders to pull out all the slack in the hips. Then tighten the harness tight enough to pass the pinch test. This will allow you to get all the slack out of the car seat's harness.

 Why its important to have a tight harness: video You can see in the video that the baby's head move much less with a properly tightened car seat.


Sometimes the baby still has some issues fitting into the car seat. Like slouching or tilting their head/body to the side. These are things that can easily be fixed without using an after market head support.


A lot of times little babies will slouch in their seat.

To prevent this make sure you are using the most inner buckle slot, check your car seats manual on how to adjust your buckle. If you are unable to adjust your baby's buckle slot or you have adjusted it to the inner slot and your baby is still slouching you can use a rolled up receiving blanket to help boost baby up. You want the baby's back to be flush against the back of the car seat.

• This kind of gaping between baby and the buckle strap can cause slouching.

• Take a receiving blanket and roll it up tightly

• Slide the rolled receiving blanket between the baby and the buckle strap until it makes an upside down horse shoe.

 You can see how much better the baby fits in the car seat compared to the before picture above.

Sometimes the baby's head can tilt to the sides. You can also fix this with tightly rolled receiving blankets.

• Roll 2 receiving blanket just like before

• Tuck one rolled receiving blanket on each side of the baby. Make sure not to place anything behind the baby's back.

This will help support the baby and keep them from shifting in an odd position.






 If your baby is crying and seems uncomfortable remember that newborns have just come from a world that was warm and tight. You can use a blanket tucked around the baby, but not behind baby's back, to make them feel more secure in their car seat.

 

 

 And your baby is ready for their first ride home!

The Dangers of an Unattended Child

 Every year many children die from hyperthermia. The most common cause of hyperthermia is heat stroke. Children are more susceptible to hyperthermia than adults. Infants and small children do not maintain their body temperature as well as adults do. Their bodies heat up five times faster than an adult.
One of the common ways that children suffer from hyperthermia is being left unattended in vehicles. The inside of a vehicle, even on cool days, can get dangerously hot and hot quick. Your vehicle is like a giant metal oven being heated by the sun. In 80 degree weather a car can heat up to 123 degrees in just 60 min. Even in 10 minutes the temperature in the vehicle can rise 20 degrees and 34 degrees in 30 mins, about the time it would take a care giver to run into the store.

Picture will take you to a video

Heat stroke will happen when the childs body cannot cool itself quick enough. The child's core temperature will rise to dangerous temperatures which can resulting in kidney or liver damage, brain damage, or even death. Children can go into heat exhaustion in temperatures as low as 90 degrees with heat stroke being possible at temperatures of about 105 degrees. Even with the windows down the temperature can rise and be harmful for children.

How big of a problem is this?

According to SafeKids 527 kids have died since 1998, with 49 of those deaths happening in 2010. On average 38 children die yearly from being left unattended in vehicles.
Most of the incidents are accidents made by distracted parents. Safekids says about 50% of children who die from hyperthermia are due to the child being forgotten by accident.
I know what your thinking, how could you forget your child. But it happens and it happens to good parents. It happens because a schedule changes, it happens because we are busy and stressed, it happens because we are tired, it happens because we are human and we make mistakes. Unfortunately those mistakes have consequences that these parents must live with, consequences that no loving parent should have to live with.

What are some steps parents can make to prevent this?

• Never leave children in a vehicle to make a quick run into the store or gas station
• Put your purse, briefcase, cell phone or something you always take with you on the floor board by your child
• Ask your day care provider to please call you if you are 5 min later than normal. Make it a habit to keep in contact with all your child's care givers and make sure they know how dangerous an unattended child is in a vehicle
• With all the wonderful technology of this world you can set your cell phone to remind you to check for your child in the vehicle. There is even an app for that! Baby Reminder is a free Iphone App that was set up to help remind parents the child is in the car.

Do whatever you need to do to remind yourself. Make it habit to check anyway, this is what I do, leave sticky notes, have your partner call you, whatever it takes. This can happen to you, even if you're the best parent in the whole world. Using these preventive steps will help you avoid making this mistake.

 Trapped in a Trunk

 According to SafeKids 30% of hyperthermia deaths are due to children becoming trapped in the vehicle's trunk. Children are very curious by nature. They like to play games and discover new places. Sometimes they are even looking for a missing toy. But this can quickly become dangerous when the family car is involved. Trunks are even worse than being left unattended in the vehicle. They are not just high in temperature but high in humidity and low in ventilation. It is estimated that 35-40% of children under 14 who are entrapped in a vehicle trunks do not survive. Its important that parents take steps to prevent children from being entrapped in vehicles trunks.

What are some steps parents can make to prevent this?

•  Keep vehicles locked when unoccupied and keep keys out of reach of children
• Never allow children to play in and around vehicles. Teach older children that vehicles are not playgrounds and they should never ever play in them. When children are in and around vehicles supervise them closely
• Teach children about the glow in the dark trunk release in case they ever find themselves trapped in a trunk. Every vehicle since September of 2001 are required to have these.

Louisiana Law

SafeKids say that 17% of hyperthermia deaths are due to care givers intentionally leaving a child in the vehicle. In Louisiana we have laws making it illegal to leave children under 6yrs of age unattended in a vehicle. We are one of 19 states with a law against leaving children unattended in vehicles. In our law "unsupervised" is defined as a parent/guardian who is more than 10ft away from the vehicle or when someone who is 10yrs or older isn't with the child in the vehicle. If you ever see a child under 6yrs of age in a vehicle alone call 911 immediately. Police officers must remove the child, leave a notification, and wait with the child until the parent/guardian returns to the vehicle. Police officers are also protected from any legal liability by his action as long as they are considered in good faith. The person who has left the child unattended can be fined up to $500 and possibly sent to jail for 6 months for the first offense. Consecutive offenses will be charged $1,000-$2,000 and possibly sent to jail for 1-2yrs with or without hard labor. These are pretty serious punishments.

How to Tell if a Child is Suffering from Heat Exhaustion/Stroke and What to Do About It

 If you find your child or another child who has been left unattended in a vehicle or trapped in a trunk you should immediately call 911. Heat exhaustion is when the body is dehydrated and loss of salt through excessive sweating. Children suffering from heat exhaustion are normally profuse sweating, have pale skin that is cool to the touch but their core body temperature is high, rapid and shallow breathing, headache,nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,dizziness, weakness or fainting, lethargic behavior, and muscle cramps. If you find a child whom you think is suffering from heat exhaustion try and cool them off. Remove extra unneeded clothing, use cool damp cloth to cool them off, and see if they will drink some cool water. Seek medical care as soon as possible. Heat stroke is more sever than heat exhaustion. But they are similar. Signs that differ from heat exhaustion are core body temperature above 104, no sweating, hallucinations, trance-like or irrational behavior, and increased heart rate. If you find a child who is suffering from a heat stroke you should call 911 immediately. Try cooling the body off with cool water or even with ice but do not give fluids. Please seek medical attention immediately!

Visit SafeKids to learn more about the dangers of an unattended child.

Seat Belt

When it comes to installing car seats there are two ways to do it, either LATCH or with the vehicle seat belt. (Some Ford vehicles will allow the use of both seat belt and LATCH. But both the vehicle and the car seat must agree with this. The only car seat manufacture as of now that allows this is Combi. Check out this blog post from Lexlee's Kids.) The seat belt is just as safe as using LATCH. The vehicle seat belt is often needed in some situations. When that seating position doesn't have LATCH, or you cant get a tight installation with LATCH, or even vehicles that do not have LATCH. But not ever seat belt in every car is the same.
There are two types of main seat belts. A two point seat belt, also know as a lap only belt and a three point seat belt that is also know as a shoulder/lap belt.

Parts of a Seat Belt

Webbing

The fabric part of the seat belt

Latch plate

The seat belt part that connects the webbing to a buckle into the vehicle. The male portion of the seat belt.

Buckle

The buckle accepts the latch plate and holds the seat belt in place. The female portion of the seat belt.

Buckle stalk

The fabric/webbing that is connecting the buckle to the vehicle

Retractor

Retractors gathers and stores the extra webbing of the seat belt.


There are several different types of seat belts. Since 1996 vehicles have been required to have locking seat belts to help with the installation of child safety seats. Some lock at the latch plate and some lock at the retractor. When installing a car seat with a seat belt the seat belt must be locked in one of for ways; by the latch plate, by the retractor, by a locking clip, or by a belt shortening clip.

Types of Latch Plates

Locking Latch Plate

This is the type of latch plate that locks. The latch plate will lock either by a little bar mechanism that will not allow for the webbing to slide from the latch plate or a button on the latch plate that when turned will lock the latch plate not allowing the webbing to slide freely from the latch plate.

Swen on Latch Plate

This is a latch plate were it is sewn onto the belt. This type of latch plate does not lock.

Sliding Latch Plate

This is the type of latch plate that slides freely up and down on the seat belts webbing without locking.

Types of Retractor

Emergency locking retractor (ELR)

This is the type of retractor that locks only during an emergency. This seat belt will lock when you pull it too quickly, make a sudden stop, turn too quickly, or during a crash. But when you pull the webbing all the way out it will not switch over to a Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR). These types of seat belts are often found in the drivers seat.

Automatic Locking Retracor (ALR)

This is a type of retractor that locks automatically. Once you stop pulling the webbing out it automatically stops allowing you to pull any more webbing out, regardless if its the end of the webbing or not.

Switchable Retractor

A switchable retractor is an emergency locking retractor that when the webbing is pulled all the way out it becomes a automatic locking retractor.

If you are unsure of what type of seat belt your car has you can always find that information in the vehicle's manual.

Installing with Automatic Locking Retractor
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

When installing with an automatic locking retractor (ALR) you thread the seat belt in one smooth motion through the car seats correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Then press firmly down on the car seat. As you press down the webbing will feed into the retractor automatically locking. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.

Installing with a Switchable Retractor (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

When installing with a switchable retractor thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it in. Pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt all the way out of the retractor. You will often hear it click. Start feeding the seat belt back into the retractor, trying pulling it out of the retractor a few times to make sure it is locked. Press firmly on the car seat and continue to feed the seat belt into the retractor, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat pulling the seat belt and feeding it into the retractor until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Troubleshooting: If you can not get the car seat snug enough you can twist the buckle stalk. Some vehicles will have very long buckle stalks making it difficult to get a tight installation. You may twist the buckle stalk up to three times but you want to use as few twist as possible. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path, twist the buckle stalk up to three times, and buckle it in. Pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt all the way out of the retractor. You will often hear it click. Start feeding the seat belt back into the retractor, trying pulling it out of the retractor a few times to make sure it is locked. Press firmly on the car seat and continue to feed the seat belt into the retractor, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat pulling the seat belt and feeding it into the retractor until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.

Installing with a Locking Latch Plate (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

When installing with a locking latch plate examine the latch plate to determine what type of locking latch plate your vehicle has; one with a button or one with a bar mechanism. If its the type with the button switch the button to the child position. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it. Push down firmly on the car seat and pull the webbing as tight as you can, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly and pull the webbing as tight as you can until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Troubleshooting: If you have a locking latch plate with a bar mechanism on a lap only belt and it will not lock because of the position the belt is laying you may flip the latch plate. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it. Push down firmly on the car seat (helps if you use your knee) and pull the webbing as tight as you can, removing all slack. Unbuckle the seat belt while continuing the push down on the car seat. Flip the latch plate to where the bar mechanism is facing outward. Buckle the seat belt back. Test the car seat for a tight install by tugging firmly side to side and front to back at the belt path. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement unbuckle the seat belt and start over, this time pressing more firmly into the car seat.

What to do if neither the vehicles retractor or latch plate lock?

Locking Clip (video)
 Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

If you have a lap and should belt that does not lock at either the retractor or the latch plate then you will need to use a locking clip. (you may never use a locking clip on a lap belt only seat belt) All car seats come with a locking clip, if you have lost yours they can be purchased at Toys/Babies R Us or through the manufacture of the car seat.
To install a car seat with a locking clip you will need to thread the seat belt throught the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Press firmly down on the car seat and pull the seat belt to remove all slack. Pinch the seat belts webbing near the latch plate. Unbuckle the seat belt. Attach the locking clip within 1" of the latch plate. Rebuckle the seat belt. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement remove the locking clip and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack. Sometimes it can be easier to install a locking clip with two people. One person holds the car seat down and the other attaches the locking clip.

A locking clip is also used when a car seat has a tendency to tip or lean to the side. This happens sometimes with a lap and shoulder belt that locks at the retractor. The shoulder portion of the belt with continue to feed into the retractor locking and pulling the car seat to the side making it lean. To fix this problem instead of locking the seat belt at the retracor you would use the locking clip instead.

Lock Offs (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

Some car seats are equipped with lock offs. Lock offs are claps attached to the car seat that will clamp over the seat belt locking it in place. To install a car seat with lock offs you start by opening the lock off. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Push down firmly on the car seat and pull the seat belt tight, removing any slack. Place the seat belt it the correct lock off (you'll need to read the car seat manual to know witch part of the seat belt goes into witch lock off). Clasp the seat belt with the lock off. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement undo the lock offs and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack.

Belt Shortening Clip
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.

A belt shortening clip looks very similar to a locking clip. You would purchase a belt shortening clip from the manufacture of your vehicle. You may never use a locking clip in the place of a belt shortening clip, you may however use a belt shortening clip in the place of a locking clip. A locking clip is not nearly as strong as a belt shortening clip and can not preform the job of a belt shortening clip. Belt shortening clips are used on Emergency Locking Retractors (ERL) with sown on latch plates. The seat belts are unable to lock in a way to install a car seat without the belt shortening clip. Luckily many seat belts are not made this way. It is unlikely that you will ever need to use a belt shortening clip.
If you find that you will need a belt shortening clip I would contact a very experienced Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor to help you.

Seat Belt Tightener

These are a BIG NO NO! Do not use one of these. You don't need to. If installing your seat correctly you will be able to achieve a tight install. Seat belt tighteners can over tighten your seat belt, break parts of your seat belt or car seat, and can possible break free in a crash and become a heavy projectile. They are not tested with your car seat and you shouldn't use them, nor do you need them. Seek help from a Child Passenger Safety Technician if you aren't getting a tight installation.


You should ALWAYS read though your car seat's manual and your vehicle manual. Your car seat's manual will tell you exactly how to install your seat and your vehicle manual will tell you important information about its seat belts or LATCH. If you are having problems with installing your seat please visit a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one at www.SeatCheck.org

Inflatable Seat Belts (video)

More on inflatable seat belts from Ford

 Inflatable seat belts are a new option in some Ford vehicles. Many car seat manufactures do not allow you to install their seats with inflatable seat belts. You will need to contact the manufacture of your car seat and ask before installing your car seat or booster with an inflatable seat belt.

Seat Belt Strangulation

Seat Belts with locking retractors can be dangerous. Sometimes children will play with the seat belt, pull the seat belt all the way out and switch it to locking mode. They will wrap the seat belt around themselves and the seat belt with tighten and tighten as its fed into the retractor. This has been know to strangle children. To learn more about seat belt strangulation and how to prevent them visit this link.

LATCH

When it comes to installing car seats there are two ways to do it, either LATCH or with the vehicle seat belt. But what is LATCH? (Some Ford vehicles will allow the use of both seat belt and LATCH. But both the vehicle and the car seat must agree with this. The only car seat manufacture as of now that allows this is Combi. Check out this blog post from Lexlee's Kids.)

LATCH stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. LATCH is a system you can use to install your child's car seat into your vehicle. The system was created to have a universal way of installing car seats. The LATCH system is no safer than using the seat belt but it can make it easier for some parents to install their child's car seat. Each set of LATCH includes two lower anchors and one top tether.
All vehicles from 2003 to present should be equipped with at least 2 sets of LATCH. All car seats are also required to have lower anchor attachments (since 2002) and top tether anchor (since 1999). Always check your vehicle manual under the child restraint section to be sure where your vehicles LATCH bars are located.

Type of LATCH Attachments

There are a few different types of LATCH attachments on car seats.

Hook-on

Theses are the most common types of LATCH attachments. To use theses you must hook it around the vehicle anchor bars. These are also commonly used for top tether LATCH attachments. When using a hook on attachment the thickest part of the attachment must face up. Like this:

Push-on

These are commonly found on Britax seats. You simple push the attachment on to the vehicles lower anchor bars. There is a release button you press to remove unlock it.

Clip-on

These have a button you press and then push onto the vehicles lower anchor bars. You release the button to lock the attachment to the vehicles lower anchor bars. These are commonly found on BabyTrend seats.

SuperLATCH

These are found on Diono/Sunshine Kids car seats. They are very similar to push-on attachments. They are more heavy duty though and allow for the LATCH to be used to the max weight of the car seat regardless of the vehicle's LATCH systems weight limit.

SureLATCH

These are found on Evenflo seats. Also similar to push-on attachments. They tighten on their own though. They have a built in mechanism that tightens the webbing as you push the car seat into the vehicle seat.

There are two different ways to loosen a LATCH belt. Either a push button or tilt lock. A push button is simply a button that releases the webbing. A tilt lock is a lever that you tilt outwards to release the webbing.
Always read your car seat's manual to know exactly how to use that particular car seat's LATCH attachments.
Not all child restraints have LATCH attachments. Infant seats without the base, car bed for special needs children, and booster only child restraints will not always come with LATCH attachments.

Lower Anchors Bars

Typical back seat arrangement of lower anchors. Some vehicles arrange them differently. Check you vehicle manual under the child restraint section to be sure.

Lower Anchor bars are found in the bight of your vehicle seat. Sometimes they are easy to find, other times a bit difficult. They can be hidden behind zippers or flaps. You can sometimes find this little symbol near where they are located.

You can also find their location in the child restraint section of your vehicles manual.
There can be several configuration of LATCH bars in vehicles. Most have one set on the drivers side and one set on the passenger side. Some may have a set in the middle. Your vehicle manual will let you know exactly what the configuration is in your car.
You should never connect two car seats to one lower anchor bar. If your vehicle has a set of lower anchor bars on the passenger and driver side but not dedicated bars for the center you can sometimes borrow the inside bars of the driver and passenger side sets. Both your vehicle and car seat must allow for this. If either doesn't you can not use LATCH in the center and must use the seat belt to install your child's car seat. You can find more information on The Car Seat Lady's blog under LATCH, then under center LATCH. You can find out what car seats allow it and what vehicles forbid it. There is even a spreadsheet to help you know if you can or cant use center LATCH in your car.
Your vehicles lower anchors also have weight limits. Some vehicles don't allow you to use LATCH after the child is a certain weight. Some vehicles are 40lbs, some are 48lbs, some say to go by the weight limit of the car seats LATCH attachments, which may be 40lb or 48lbs. Once the child reaches these weight limits the vehicle seat belt should be used to install the car seat. If you do not know the weight limit of your vehicle's LATCH system or the car seat's LATCH attachments always assume 40lbs.
*Subaru's weight limit is 60lbs but includes the weight of the child and car seat. When their combined weight is more than 60lbs the vehicle seat belt should be used to install the car seat.

Top Tether

Different locations of top tether. Check your vehicle manual under child restraint to find out were they are located for your vehicle.

For a forward facing car seat you need to use the top tether part of the LATCH system. It doesnt matter if you are using the lower anchors or the seat belt, you should always use the top tether. The top tether is an important safety feature for forward facing car seats. Top tether reduces head excursion. Head excursion is the amount of forward movement the head has. A top tether can reduce this movement by up to 8 inches. This helps reduce injury to the head and neck for forward facing children.

From The Car Seat Lady's blog

If your vehicle is older and does not have any top tether anchors you can get them retrofitted into your car. Contact your vehicle's manufacture on getting a top tether retrofitting kit.

Rear Facing Tether

A select few convertible seats will allow for you to tether your rear facing seat. These seats are Britax, Sunshine Kids/Diono, and Combi Coccoro.
There are two different way you can tether your rear facing seat. One is the Swedish Style and the other is Australian. For a Swedish style you will need a D-ring.

These come with convertible seats that allow for rear facing tether. If you have lost yours you may contact the manufacture of your car seat and order a new one.
Here is a video by Britax showing how to tether your rear facing seat.

Boosters and LATCH

Some booster come with lower LATCH. This does not aid in the protection of the child though. The lower LATCH anchors are to help the booster from becoming a projectile when the child isn't in it. A loose booster in a car wreck could fly around and hit someone in the car. This can cause injury to other passengers. Its important that you either use the LATCH anchors with your booster, only if your vehicle also allows boosters to be LATCHed check your vehicle manual, OR to buckle in unused boosters.
Combination seats (seats that harnesses then booster) sometimes allow you to use the LATCH while the seat is a booster. Check both your car and car seat manual to see if this is OK.

***Remember to always store your LATCH attachments on your child's car seat when you are not using them. They can become dangerous projectiles in the even of a crash.***

Installation Videos from YouTube

Infant base with LATCH
Convertible seat with LATCH
Forward facing seat with LATCH

Booster seat with LATCH

Most of the time you can find an installation video for your particular car seat. You should ALWAYS read though your car seat's manual. Your car seat's manual will tell you exactly how to install your seat. If you are having problems with installing your seat please visit a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one at www.SeatCheck.org

After Market Products

So your in the store looking for the perfect car seat for your precious cargo and you see all the cute things you can add to your car seat. From seat protectors, seat covers, dangling toys, to mirrors, and even seat belt tighteners. The best thing to do is avoid these products. If it doesn't come in the box with your car seat its not been crash tested with your car seat. I know I know, it says on the packaging that it was crash tested. This is a marketing tool. When a car seat is tested it is put through rigorous testing that is federally regulated. The government says that all seats must pass these test. There is no governing body making sure these after market products are being tested. For all we know their testing includes that they threw it against the wall and it didnt break or dent the wall. They have no one above them making sure these products wont be deadly in a crash. Most car seats forbid these products to be used with their seat. They put it in the manual to not add any addition products to the car seat as it may cause injury to the child. Some of these products are not as bad as others and some might even be allowed by a manufacture. Manufactures differ on what is and isnt safe with their products and its important to read the manual to be sure what your particular seat allows.

Dangling Toys

Some of the little toys that hang from the handle of infant seats are better than others. Using soft toys that you wouldn't mind throwing at your child's head are not as worrisome as the hard plastic toys. These toys are fine to use outside of the car. Just remember that these toys can become projectiles in a crash, as with any loose item in your car.

Mirrors

Wether to use a mirror or not can sometimes be a tough choice for parents. I understand this, as a parent I had to make this tough choice. My youngest had reflux and was constantly spitting up. I was worried she would choke while I was driving. I made the parental choice to find a mirror I felt was secure and soft. I used it until she stopped spitting up. Many parents have to make this choice and its not easy. When faced with this choice make the best one you can. Use a mirror if you need to but try to find a soft flexible mirror that fastens to your vehicle as securely as possible. If you dont need it dont use it. Most children are fine without one.

Window Shades

Again another possible projectile. Avoid the kind with hard plastic parts. There are some that just cling to the window without any hard plastic parts. Like this product. These are a safer option to window shades.

Harness Strap Covers

If the harness strap covers do not come with your car seat do not use them. Most of the after market harness covers push the chest clip down on to the belly which is dangerous. They are also not tested with your car seat. They can interfere with the tightness of the harness. Even though it feels tight these harness covers could compress during a crash. Luckily many car seats provide their own crash tested harness cover straps with their seats. If this is an important feature for you then make sure you select a seat with harness cover straps.

Head Supporters

If your child's car seat doesn't come with a head support do not use an after market head support that interferes with the harness or goes behind the child's back. These can compress during a crash and give a false sense of tight harness straps.
So what do you do if you have a newborn with a floppy head and no head support? You can first check the recline on your infant seat. The infant seat should be at a 45 degree angle for newborns. If this still doesn't resolve the issue then you may use rolled receiving blankets around the babies head.

Bunting Bags

There are safe and non safe bunting bags. You never want to use a bunting bag that goes behind the child's back and interferes with the harness. It can compress in a crash and give a false tightness of the harness. But one that fits like a shower cap over the seat is a safer option.

Car Seat Covers

There are companies that make covers for car seats. Although these are very cute they are not safe. They have not been crash tested with the car seat, they can compress during a crash, they can interfere with the harness, they do not have important warning labels on them, and they have not been treated with the flame retardants that are required by the federal motor vehicle safety standards.You should only purchase a cover from the manufacture of your child's car seat.

Seat Protectors

Some car seats allow for a THIN towel or blanket to be used under their car seats. You'll need to read your car seats manual to know this for sure. Thick seat protectors or seat protectors that are used on unapproved seats can be dangerous. They can compress in a wreck and give you a false tight installation.

Seat Belt Tightener

These are a BIG NO NO! Do not use one of these. You don't need to. If installing your seat correctly you will be able to achieve a tight install. Seat belt tighteners can over tighten your seat belt, break parts of your seat belt or car seat, and can possible break free in a crash and become a heavy projectile. They are not tested with your car seat and you shouldn't use them, nor do you need them. Seek help from a Child Passenger Safety Technician if you aren't getting a tight installation.


Many of these types of products are not safe and should not be used. It is likely that you don't even need them. So pass up the car seat accessory isle in the store, as tempting as it may be.

Booster Seats

The minimum to ride in a booster is 4yrs AND 40lbs. Children are typically not mature enough till 5-7 years old though. Children should not move out of their harness and into a booster until they are mature enough to remain seated 100% of the time. Louisiana law requires that children be 40lbs to ride in a booster.

How to Tell When Your Child has Out Grown Their Forward Facing Harness Seat

Each car seat comes with a weight limits for each stage the car seat can sit (rear facing, forward facing, and booster). Some come with a height limit. You should look in the car seat's manual to see what are the forward facing harness weight and height limit. Once your child reaches either of these they have out grown the car seat rear facing.
A forward facing harness seat is also out grown if the child's shoulders are above the top harness slot or the child's ears are even with the top of the top of the car seat.

Types of Boosters

There are two types of boosters. High back booster and a backless booster. Boosters range in weight and height limits. From 3yrs and 30lbs (which I would not recommend nor is it legal in Louisiana) to 63" and 120lbs.

High Back Booster

A High back booster is simply a booster with the back part. It looks very similar to a harness car seat but without the harness. High back booster are a great starting point when begining to booster a child. It feel more like a car seat which helps remind the child to sit correctly. Its great for kids who still fall asleep in the car. They can rest their heads on the side of the booster. It can also be easier to use with a child who needs the shoulder portion of the belt positioned with a belt guide. Most of the high back boosters on the market can have the back removed converting it into a backless booster.

Backless Booster

A backless booster is simply a booster without a back. These are great for older boostered kids, around 8yrs old. Most of these boosters come with a shoulder belt positioning clip. Its the little string with the clip on one end. This hooks to the back of the booster, runs along the child's back and hooks to the shoulder portion of the belt. It is adjusted so that the shoulder part of the belt fits correctly on the shoulder of the child. Follow your boosters manual on how to properly use this if the shoulder portion of the belt doesn't fit your child correctly.

• A booster seat should NEVER be used with a lap belt only. This is very dangerous.
  
• Never allow for a child to put the shoulder portion of the belt behind their backs. Putting a seat belt behind a child's back is the same as putting them in a lap only belt. You take away all their upper body protection.
• When using a backless booster make sure there is adequate head support. The top of child's head should not be above the top of the seat. If possible adjust the head rest to be above the top of the child's head. If there is not adequate head support a high back booster is safer.

How to Use a Booster
Installation video (high back and backless)

Installation video (backless with shoulder belt positioning clip)
ALWAYS read over your child's car seat/booster manual!

Before buying a booster you should always try the booster out on your child first. Not every booster will offer the best fit for every child. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does offer a list of booster broken down into best bets, good bets, and not recommended. This is a good list to start with when researching boosters for your child. The best bets are more likely to fit an average child, not that a not recommended seat wont offer your child a good fit it is just more unlikely that it will.
The shoulder portion of the belt should rest across the collar bone, not on the neck and not falling off the shoulder. The lap portion of the belt should lay low on your child's hips or upper thighs, not on the child's tummy.

Products to Avoid

There are several products on the market that claim to offer proper belt fit but do not. You should avoid these products and never use them on a child. These products may say they are crash tested but there are no standards to hold these products to. These products do not offer correct fit and they can be deadly! Here are a few examples of these products:

Boosters with LATCH

Some booster come with lower LATCH. This does not aid in the protection of the child though. The lower LATCH anchors are to help the booster from becoming a projectile when the child isn't in it. A loose booster in a car wreck could fly around and hit someone in the car. This can cause injury to other passengers. Its important that you either use the LATCH anchors with your booster, only if your vehicle also allows boosters to be LATCHed check your vehicle manual, OR to buckle in unused boosters.
Combination seats (seats that harnesses then booster) sometimes allow you to use the LATCH while the seat is a booster. Check both your car and car seat manual to see if this is OK.

The Inflatable Booster

There are two inflatable booster on the market right now. The EasyCarSeat and the BubbleBum. The Easy Car Seat is a high back booster. This particular inflatable booster is not recommended. It often does not offer a good belt fit and it causes children to slip under the seat belt. The BubbleBum however is a highly recommended backless booster. It fits children well and offers proper protection in a crash. You can read a review here on the BubbleBum : http://carseatblog.com/10427/bubble-bum-review-booster-seat-or-flotation-device/

Boosters are for Big Kids

Seat belts are made to fit adult males. Seat belts are not meant to fit children. The job of a booster is to boost the child up so that the seat belt can fit them correctly. Children will normally need a booster till they are 4ft 9in tall. This is some where around 10-12 years old. It is also best that a child has reached puberty before riding without a booster. Prior to the time before puberty children do not have fully formed pelvises. The Iliac Crest is a part of the pelvis that forms during puperty. The Iliac Crest is the thickened and expanded bone rim at the upper border of the ilium. This part of the pelvis in adults helps hold the lap bet in position. Without it the seat belt can ride up on the belly and cause internal damage. This is also why a teenager or adult who is under 4ft 9in doesn't need a booster. They have a fully formed pelvis, children do not.

John's Story
video

John is the father of two daughters. His wife and kids were in a head on collision. His wife died instantly. His 7 year old daughter Merdith was not in a booster seat. She suffered life altering injuries. She will never walk or run again, she will never graduate high school and her injuries will be something she and her family will have to deal with daily for the rest of her life. A booster could have helped prevent her injuries.

How to Tell When a Child No Longer Needs a Booster

Your child needs to pass the 5 step test before they can ride without a booster. If you answer no to any of these 5 questions your child still needs a booster seat.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Children need to ride in the back seat till they are at least 13 years of age. The back seat is twice as safe as the front seat!

Forward Facing

When your child is at least 2yrs old or has out grown their rear facing convertible car seat it is time for a harnessed forward facing car seat.

How to Tell When Your Rear Facing Car Seat is Out Grown

Each car seat comes with a weight limit for each stage the car seat can sit (rear facing, forward facing, and booster). Some come with a height limit. You should look in the car seat's manual to see what are the rear facing weight and height limit. Once your child reaches either of these they have out grown the car seat rear facing. A rear facing car seat is also out grown by height when there is less than one inch from the top of your child's head to the top of the car seats shell. Read how to measure this click here.

What Kind of Seats Forward Face

Convertible seats

Convertible seats are car seats that rear face and then can be turned forward facing. Once your child has outgrown this seat rear facing you can flip it around and use it forward facing. These seats normally have a forward facing weight limit of 40lbs- 65lbs.

3 in 1 car seats

3 in 1s or all in one car seats are car seats that will rear face, forward face, and booster. Although the selling point of only needing one car seat for your child their entire life is a nice tought, its not always a good option. Car seats have a life span or expiration date, and it is dangerous to use the seat after that date. Most of the time this is 6 years. If you use this seat from birth your child will not be ready to be without a seat by age 6. Another reason these seats do not make good seats is that they make poor boosters. Either they position the seat belt incorrectly or they are outgrown in booster mode at the same time they are outgrown by the harness. These seats may work for rear facing or for forward facing but they will likely not work when your child needs to be boostered and you will likely need to buy another seat.

Combination seats

Combination seats are car seats that have a 5 point harness that can be removed and used as a high back booster. These seats harness till 40lbs-90lbs depending on the seat. Some of these seats do have the ability to remove the back and make a backless booster.


Children should remain in a 5 point harness until they are at least 4yrs AND 40lbs according to Louisiana Law. Many combination seats have the ability to keep a child harnessed well past 4yrs AND 40lbs. It is best not to move a child into a booster before the child is ready. Many children are not ready at 4years old. Why?

• Maturity. When seated in a booster the seat belt must lay on certain parts of the child's body. When a child is in a booster and they move too much the seat belt can become out of position. In a harness seat a child will for sure be seated correctly 100% of the time. This is a matter of maturity. This maturity is normally reached around 5-7 years old.
  
• There is one study that shows that children who are under the age of 5 are safer in a harnessed seat than a booster seat. This study shows an increased risk of head/neck injury in children who are under the age of 5 and seated in a booster.
  
• Children need to remain harnessed until they reach 40lbs. Our law requires children to be 40lbs before being put into a booster.

Once a child is 5 years old, 40lbs, and can sit properly in a booster 100% of the time there is nothing showing that a harness seat is safer than a booster seat. Or showing that a booster is safer than a harness seat.
Remember when shopping for a car seat the best car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly 100% of the time. All seats are held to the same federal safety standards (FMSS 213). This makes all seats equally as safe as the next seat, regardless of price. Price is normally based on brand name, ease of use, and extra features such as cup holders, padding, and how easy it is to install. NHTSA has issued an Ease of Use Rating for every car seat. You can search for a seat on their Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings.

Belle's Story
video

Belle was a 3 years old when her family was in a car wreck. Belle was sitting next to her 7 year old sister, both in boosters. Belle's booster failed her because she was too young to be in a booster. Belle was fatally injured while her sister walked away from the wreck. To read more about Belle visit http://isabelle-broadhead.memory-of.com/About.aspx

How to Place Your Child in a Forward Facing Car Seat

Before installing your car seat into the car you will need to make sure that the harness is in the correct position for your child. For convertible seats check with the car seat manual to see which harness slots are allowed to be used when forward facing. When a 5 point harness car seat is used forward facing the harness should be AT OR ABOVE the child's shoulders, it should be tight and able to pass the pinch test, the harness shouldn't be twisted, and the chest clip should be even with the arm pit.

Here are some videos on Extended Harnessing (extended harnessing (EH) is when a child remains harnessed past their 4th birthday)
Crash test video of a harness dumby vs a boostered dumby
Importance of Extended Harnessing

How to Tell When Your Child has Out Grown Their Forward Facing Harness Seat

Each car seat comes with a weight limits for each stage the car seat can sit (rear facing, forward facing, and booster). Some come with a height limit. You should look in the car seat's manual to see what are the forward facing weight and height limit. Once your child reaches either of these they have out grown the car seat forward facing.
A forward facing harness seat is also out grown if the child's shoulders are above the top harness slot or the child's ears are even with the top of the top of the car seat.