Car seat safety

Nukke

I thought since there are a lot of FTM who may be finding the whole car seat thing overwhelming, why don't we get this thread going to clear some things up? Plus many of us BTDT moms need a refresher anyway, as guidelines change so often.

So post your questions here. Post your advice here. Post your favourite infographics here. Etc! Maybe we can even get some car seat techs to weigh in.

I'll start us off with a question: what is the number one thing each parent should do before using a car seat with their little one?

Krysta6

I'm a FTM but I'll take a guess at your question -- Read the manual?

I also found this site incredibly insightful! https://csftl.org

If you search them on Facebook they also have a group page where people post pictures of their car seat install or baby in car seat and the techs help them get the best fit. When we get our car seat I plan on grabbing a stuffed animal to work on adjusting the buckles, etc.

Edited for punctuation problems...

midge519

A few of the biggest things I remember that a lot of my friends didn't know are:

If you can pinch it it's too loose

Chest buckle needs to be at armpit height not lower to cage

Never put thick clothing under the straps. If you have to loosen the straps because of a jacket (especially for those of us that have cold winters) your are doing it wrong. Try a fleece jacket on them and a blanket over top. Or a fleece under the winter coat get them in the car and then take off the winter coat to buckle them and drape the coat over top.

Nothing other than the fabric and pieces that come with the car seat should be used. Don't get a vanity car seat fabric, don't add the shoulder straps for comfort, etc. the seat isn't tested for those items it is only safest with what it comes with. This included the winter covers that go under the baby

KarinaSolAbrJohn

I think the biggest challenge with car seat is to find out which one are non toxic.

Nukke

Krysta6 said:

I'm a FTM but I'll take a guess at your question -- Read the manual?

yes! Read your car seat manual cover to cover. And the car manual too where it discusses car seats.

Nukke

Here's a picture to go along with what @midge519 was talking about.

amorrison624

We read the manual and think our seats are installed correctly, but our highway patrol has a seat check next weekend. We are going to do that, just for piece of mind. It's easy to follow directions, but why not have it checked for sure for free? Seatcheck.org has a list of local resources for seat checks in your area.

rgisaly

When I had my first car seats were installed in the middle of the back seat. Is that still the case?

MamaOwl15

midge519 said:

A few of the biggest things I remember that a lot of my friends didn't know are:

If you can pinch it it's too loose

Chest buckle needs to be at armpit height not lower to cage

Never put thick clothing under the straps. If you have to loosen the straps because of a jacket (especially for those of us that have cold winters) your are doing it wrong. Try a fleece jacket on them and a blanket over top. Or a fleece under the winter coat get them in the car and then take off the winter coat to buckle them and drape the coat over top.

Nothing other than the fabric and pieces that come with the car seat should be used. Don't get a vanity car seat fabric, don't add the shoulder straps for comfort, etc. the seat isn't tested for those items it is only safest with what it comes with. This included the winter covers that go under the baby

What about the bunting bags that go over the car seat with the baby buckled inside? I used one a few times with DS, but he was a summer baby and wasn't itty bitty in the winter. Any word on the safety of these?

I'm assuming it would be safe because it doesn't affect the fit of the car seat straps, but even as a STM, I want to be sure.

midge519

I'm not exactly sure what a bunting bag is. I googled and saw that it looks like a snow suit with a hole in the crotch for the buckle?? If thats the case I would say no don't use that because it will affect the shoulder straps, and from what I understand is that some hospitals won't allow babies to be put in those to be placed in the carseat to leave (as of a few years ago when a family member had a baby) because it can restrict the belts.

I also saw the ones that are the warm cover things. Those are safe as long as they do not go under the baby. Nothing should be placed between the baby and the seat. I had the carseat cover thing (I believe mine was a cozy cover) with my son but it just stretched over the carseat and stayed in place by the elastic at the ends.

This one I would say no because it goes under the baby not just above

This one would be safe because it is only above the baby

MommyPhoenix

I'm glad to see this post! I was just doing some research on car seat safety because we need to move DD from the middle position to either the passenger or driver-side back seat.

Question: Does anyone know which side is typically safer? I can't readily find any research related to side impact accidents...

Our plan is to have DS placed in the middle for optimal safety since he will be the smaller child as opposed to DD who is 2.5 yo. We plan to keep both our kids rear-facing, of course, for DS as an infant it's mandatory but DD will also be rear-facing even though her weight can technically put her forward-facing. From all the research I've read, the safest position for your child is rear-facing, in the backseat for as long as possible or as allowed by safety standards of your car seat (I believe DD can be rear-facing in her Diono car seat up to 45lbs).

Once piece of advice: Please do your research and strictly follow your car seat owner's manual. Too many parents prematurely flip their children over to face forward and this can put your child at risk for severe injuries such as internal decapitation of the neck/spine.

MommyPhoenix

@MamaOwl15 I agree with @midge519, nothing should go between LO and straps, a full bunting bag and cover would be just as dangerous as LO wearing a winter coat and being buckled in. You will also want to check with the manufacturer of your car seat, most of the time they carry accessories (like covers) that will not impede on the safety of the carseat and have been tested with their products. If you add anything to or on your car seat that has not been safety tested with your specific seat and you get into an accident where the seat did not function correctly, this may likely waive any liability on the part of the manufacturer.

MamaOwl15

The one I have is almost exactly like this. I think I was calling it the wrong name. It goes over the car seat and doesn't go under the baby at all.

MamaOwl15

MommyPhoenix said:

I'm glad to see this post! I was just doing some research on car seat safety because we need to move DD from the middle position to either the passenger or driver-side back seat.

Question: Does anyone know which side is typically safer? I can't readily find any research related to side impact accidents...

Our plan is to have DS placed in the middle for optimal safety since he will be the smaller child as opposed to DD who is 2.5 yo. We plan to keep both our kids rear-facing, of course, for DS as an infant it's mandatory but DD will also be rear-facing even though her weight can technically put her forward-facing. From all the research I've read, the safest position for your child is rear-facing, in the backseat for as long as possible or as allowed by safety standards of your car seat (I believe DD can be rear-facing in her Diono car seat up to 45lbs).

Once piece of advice: Please do your research and strictly follow your car seat owner's manual. Too many parents prematurely flip their children over to face forward and this can put your child at risk for severe injuries such as internal decapitation of the neck/spine.

I'm not sure if it matters which side the car seat is on if you're not using the middle. In our Civic, the infant carrier won't fit in the middle with DS's car seat, and it won't fit behind the driver's seat if DH is driving. DS is forward-facing now so he can fit behind either seat.

Ideally, kids should rear-face as long as possible, even up to age 4. I ended up forward-facing DS earlier because I couldn't get him in and out of the car without hitting his head when his seat was RF. This was right before he turned 2. He's 2, but at 38 inches tall and 35 lbs, he's big for his age (he wears a 3T/4T). so I feel somewhat OK with him FF now, even though ideally he'd still be RF.

And yes, do your research. ALWAYS RF till age 2 or as close to 2 as possible. Some car seats say they can FF at 22 lbs, but if your kid is under 2, no way! There's some crucial spinal development that happens around age 2, so even bigger kids aren't ready to FF before then.

Nukke

Yes, those bunting bags that don't have ANY fabric between the car seat and the baby (also called 'shower cap style' bunting bags) are perfectly safe.  

Others, like the JJ Cole one, and those that have little cut out slits for the belt are not safe at all, even if they claim that they're "car seat safety tested!"  That means the manufacturer of the cover did the testing, NOT the car seat manufacturer.   

We bought a snuggly shower cap style cover called the 7am Enfant Pookie Poncho that fit over our (smaller than average) convertible car seat.  Our little one was toasty warm all the time.  I was also able to use the cover as a cover for baby wearing in the winter too.  

Also, for all those car seat accessories you get for baby that are unsafe to use the carseat, don't fret!  You can use them for the stroller! (see pic below)  That's what we did. 

babyynumbertwo2015

Car seats are supposed to be safe, not cute. So please, do not add any after market covers. They affect the integrity of your seat, and void the warranty should you get in a wreck.

MamaOwl15

I'm pretty sure the one I have (shower cap style) is safe. For DS, I use a blanket over his legs if he gets cold, but he takes after his daddy and is always hot.

christina4436

so... Still haven't gotten clarity on the middle position vs sides. Is middle really safest? I don't like that then it is open in front of it !

MamaOwl15

christina4436 said:

so... Still haven't gotten clarity on the middle position vs sides. Is middle really safest? I don't like that then it is open in front of it !

The middle IS considered to be the safest. I believe this would be in case someone hit either side of the car, then baby would be further from the impact. If the impact is head-on or you're rear-ended, the LATCH system is supposed to keep the carseat from going anywhere.

Other posters correct me if I'm wrong.

dajeume

The big thing that I don't see is rear facing till two or longer the longer the better.

Nukke

Yeah, another thing to consider when bundling baby up in the car seat--even for parents who insist on it--is that it's impractical.  As soon as the car warms up, how are you supposed to cool down baby?  If you're using a car seat cover or blankets, you can simply unzip the cover or take off the blankets.  But if baby is bundled up in a snow suit under the car seat straps, you have to pull over, undress baby, and put him/her back in the car seat.  

So it's impractical, inconvenient, and dangerous to use heavy winter wear in the car seat.

BRIANNAT711

In my car and my mom's SUV there is actually a warning label in the doors that tell you to place your child in the middle of the backseat for maximum safety. Aside from that, the car seat has this same instruction. Both site safety from side impact but the cars also come equipped with side curtain air bags and airbags in the back of the front seats for rear passengers and can cause the car seat to not function properly in the event of an accident. Both vehicles have LATCH which should do just fine holding baby in place in the middle. I understand that some people can't put the seat in the middle due to space issues, but if you can, I would say do it!

sarajlj

Our hospital told us to get our car seat set up and then drive to the city's police station for a courtesy safety check. They do them all the time for people. They also said when they do random checks, most of them are installed incorrectly so it can't hurt to get it checked out!

sgoodsel

christina4436 said:

so... Still haven't gotten clarity on the middle position vs sides. Is middle really safest? I don't like that then it is open in front of it !

Depends... In our car...we don't get a good fit in the middle seat (no Latch there and can't get a tight fit with the seatbelt), DH is so tall that the car seat doesn't fit behind the drivers seat for him without the seats touching, and so the safest spot in our car is behind the passenger because that's the best fit. 

The safest spot is where the seat fits best. If it fits in the middle then the baby is further from side impact which is great, but not the only consideration.

nbpa3027

Do not use the LATCH system and the seatbelt to buckle the seat in at the same time. Use one or the other. They are both equally safe and all seats are crash tested using each method.

This one applies more to when the kids are older and weigh a lot more, but a lot of people don't know that the LATCH system has a weight limit that is about 65ish pounds. My sons car seat is just under 30 lbs, so if you do the math, 35lb preschooler + 30lb seat exceeds the LATCH weight limit. Once they are that big, the seat should be buckled in using the seatbelt, not the LATCH.

wildbutterfli2001

christina4436 said:

so... Still haven't gotten clarity on the middle position vs sides. Is middle really safest? I don't like that then it is open in front of it !

I think it also depends on where the air bags are located in your car. We have like 14 in our car and the spot with the least is the Middle back.

Nukke

The safety of side air bags depends on the type of air bag (curtain, tubular, combo) and your car seat model, and what your car manual says.  *phew!*  

To make things a little easier, here's what the car seat lady says about it.  

https://thecarseatlady.com/sideairbagsandkids/

My car seat manual (a peg perego) refers back to the car manual. The car manual suggests the two outboard seats as the appropriate place to install a rear facing or forward facing car seat, even though there are curtain airbags there.  

rizzlig

*Sorry this will be long but hopefully helpful*

Wow, this thread is awesome!  Honestly I have only posted a few times but check the board daily.  This topic is  super important to me.  I became a tech in May and learned a lot.  All the advice so far in here has been great!  You ladies know your stuff!

To help explain why rear facing longer, here are some youtube videos that explain it well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmnvTDgNZLc 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Cx-39XRCY 

Some other things I have not seen mentioned is that not only should you read the car seat manual but also the vehicle manual section about car seat installation.  One example why is that I had a co-worker have me check her car seat installation before she went on maternity leave.  She had the rear facing infant seat installed using the LATCH system in the center (center is safest to guard against side impacts if possible).  She had not read the vehicle manual.  When we looked at it together we discovered that it said that LATCH could not be used in the center back seat seating position due to having to borrow lower anchors from the outboard (side) seats.  This could fail in a wreck.  We re-installed the seat using the seat belt and it was good to go.  

Other reminders:

-use LATCH or the seatbelt system to install.  One is not better than the other and both is not allowed by most car seat manufacturers.

-LATCH may be a good option if you have older children that are forward facing that could undo a the seatbelt buckle of the infant car seat next to them.  Just something to think about.

-do not place infant/bucket seats on top of grocery shopping carts.  Although it appears as if it has been designed to fit it has not.  There are even warning labels on the actual shopping cart not to do that.  It could cause the cart to be top heavy.  Unfortunately, babies fall out/get hurt all time.  It is okay to put the entire car seat in the shopping cart or baby wearing is a great option!

-for rear facing children the should straps should come at or below the shoulder and for forward facing straps should come at or above the shoulders

-Getting your car seat install checked is a good idea.  However, a good car seat tech will make sure you understand how to install the car seat, not just install it for you.  That way, if you need to move the car seat you are confident to do so.

-Do not purchase car seats from yard sales as you do not know the history of the seat or if it has been in a wreck.

-Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture or the date specified.  

-The reason you should not do custom car seat covers is that car seats covers are treated with a flame retardant in case of fire.  Altering it causes it to become easily flammable. 

 

MamaOwl15

rizzlig said:

*Sorry this will be long but hopefully helpful*

Wow, this thread is awesome!  Honestly I have only posted a few times but check the board daily.  This topic is  super important to me.  I became a tech in May and learned a lot.  All the advice so far in here has been great!  You ladies know your stuff!

To help explain why rear facing longer, here are some youtube videos that explain it well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmnvTDgNZLc 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Cx-39XRCY 

Some other things I have not seen mentioned is that not only should you read the car seat manual but also the vehicle manual section about car seat installation.  One example why is that I had a co-worker have me check her car seat installation before she went on maternity leave.  She had the rear facing infant seat installed using the LATCH system in the center (center is safest to guard against side impacts if possible).  She had not read the vehicle manual.  When we looked at it together we discovered that it said that LATCH could not be used in the center back seat seating position due to having to borrow lower anchors from the outboard (side) seats.  This could fail in a wreck.  We re-installed the seat using the seat belt and it was good to go.  

Other reminders:

-use LATCH or the seatbelt system to install.  One is not better than the other and both is not allowed by most car seat manufacturers.

-LATCH may be a good option if you have older children that are forward facing that could undo a the seatbelt buckle of the infant car seat next to them.  Just something to think about.

-do not place infant/bucket seats on top of grocery shopping carts.  Although it appears as if it has been designed to fit it has not.  There are even warning labels on the actual shopping cart not to do that.  It could cause the cart to be top heavy.  Unfortunately, babies fall out/get hurt all time.  It is okay to put the entire car seat in the shopping cart or baby wearing is a great option!

-for rear facing children the should straps should come at or below the shoulder and for forward facing straps should come at or above the shoulders

-Getting your car seat install checked is a good idea.  However, a good car seat tech will make sure you understand how to install the car seat, not just install it for you.  That way, if you need to move the car seat you are confident to do so.

-Do not purchase car seats from yard sales as you do not know the history of the seat or if it has been in a wreck.

-Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture or the date specified.  

-The reason you should not do custom car seat covers is that car seats covers are treated with a flame retardant in case of fire.  Altering it causes it to become easily flammable. 

 

Also, putting the car seat on top of the grocery cart can damage the part where the seat clicks into the base. So no matter how many other people you see doing it, DON'T DO IT!

Nukke

i wonder if we could get this post pinned?  (how do we do that?)

Sweet Sadie Mae

I love talking car seat safety! There is a really good facebook group called car seats for the littles that's run by car seat techs. I've learned so much from their posts. I agree this should be pinned to the top of the board. There are so many times I see pictures posted with infants strapped in incorrectly and I'm always torn on weather or not to say something. I'm not trying to be the annoying know it all mom. I just don't want want anything to happen to anyone's kid.

leighann1

Great info. Anyone know where you can go to have someone teach you how to install the car seat? I see the link for safety checks, but I think I'd like someone to show me the first time. Would the safety check sites do the initial install for you? 

Also, how early are you all installing your car seats? 

Agree about getting this pinned - @BumpAdmin @BumpTara @BumpCaitlin can we get this stickied to our board, please and thank you?

MandahGirly

@leighann1 I know in my area you can go to your local fire station or police station and they will help you instal it properly.

naka92

leighann1 said:

Great info. Anyone know where you can go to have someone teach you how to install the car seat? I see the link for safety checks, but I think I'd like someone to show me the first time. Would the safety check sites do the initial install for you? 

Also, how early are you all installing your car seats? 

Agree about getting this pinned - @BumpAdmin @BumpTara @BumpCaitlin can we get this stickied to our board, please and thank you?

I installed ours last Monday. I figured it'd be best for it to be in there ahead of time, just in case. I already know DH wouldnt be able to get it done right, he's not great at following manuals, especially in stressful situations. I also liked having it in there while we drive around already, to see how the base holds up. Me tugging at it didnt make it move, but it's definitely made me feel more confident with it knowing it also doesnt budge while driving. The recline is still the same (our base has an indicator on it) and the buckle hasnt moved at all. Definitely glad I read both the seat manual and the car manual, or I wouldnt have known how to get my seatbelt to roll all the way back and not give way. I got it inspected and it's all good to go! We got it checked at the fire station, they were really helpful and informative. They just checked my install and explained why everything has to be the way it is. They want you to install the seat yourself so that you can move it into another vehicle if neccesary, I believe. 

Sadly, our car isnt big enough (or well, DH isnt small enough..) to allow for the seat to be installed in the middle. DH's chair is set all the way to the back because well, he's a larger man. So it's installed behind the passenger seat. I would've rather had it in the middle, but oh well. Maybe once DH gets more serious about shedding some pounds!

Krysta6

@leighann1 check for techs in your area: https://csftl.org/resources/

I believe they will teach you how to install

I read if you go to police or fire station to call and find out if anyone is certified and go see that person. Not all cops/fire rescue people are car seat certified.

MandahGirly

We installed ours on Saturday. Well my BIL did because he worked at a baby store for years and was trained on how to install car seats. We just have the base in there right now.

amorrison624

I read through these the other day, and I can't remember if I saw it already, but I'll say it anyway... If you install your car seat don't drive around with it before you actually need it. God forbid you get in an accident, you'd have to replace the seat. Just leave the base in and grab the seat when you're heading to the hospital.

christina4436

amorrison624 said:

I read through these the other day, and I can't remember if I saw it already, but I'll say it anyway... If you install your car seat don't drive around with it before you actually need it. God forbid you get in an accident, you'd have to replace the seat. Just leave the base in and grab the seat when you're heading to the hospital.

I got In an accident 2 weeks ago and was so relieved I hadn't installed the car seat yet!! I will for sure do what you said in a couple weeks. Didn't think of just the base but makes sense!

eat111315

Just another point about car accidents- if you get in one you need to replace your car seat. Tell your insurance company you had a car seat in the car and they will give you a check for what that model currently retails at.
This was true for both my sister and myself (seperate occasions and different insurance companies). It was the easiest part of the claim and I would have never thought to ask for it to be covered if she hadn't told me.

alinic916

Anyone can go to www.seatcheck.org  They have a lookup by zip code to find your local car seat inspection.  

I looked up my current zip code and Safe Kids of NE FL does them at one of the hospitals and at Destination Maternity twice a month.  I also looked up my zip code from back home because I was pretty sure the police and/or fire dept do them there (it's a really small town) and it shows that as well.  So it looks like anywhere in the US can be searched for.

sweet+cheeks

I would just like to second: do not use LATCH lower anchors in the center seat unless it is explicitly allowed by BOTH your car seat manual AND your car manual (which is very rare). The center back seat is the safest, but you have to use the seat belt. I did not know this with my first and was shocked--shocked--to find out I had installed her car seat incorrectly.