PSA: carseat usage....

MarknCalsMommy

I went to load my two kids and the boy I babysit into my car today, and see how unsafely the little boy's mom installed his carseat into my car.  It got me thinking, and I thought I'd post a few pointers that I've learned about using carseats.  I know a lot of us are thinking about carseats right now, so I thought I'd share...

1. An expensive carseat is not as important as using it properly!  Really, almost all carseats are safe (baring the few that get recalled) the price just adds more features.  I just bought a new convertible Graco (My Ride 65) for my son (21 months) that has nearly as many features at $129 as the Britax seats (40 lbs rear facing, 65 forward facing, and very cushy).

2. Learn and AT LEAST follow your state guidelines for carseat usage.  In WI, it's 1 year AND 20 lbs to be forward facing (but keeping them rear-facing as long as possible is best) and 4 years AND 40 lbs to be in a booster seat (and again, keeping them in a 5-point harness longer is good if your seat can handle it.)

3. Learn how to properly install your seat.  The best idea is try installing it while pregnant, and then drive to a place that will check it for you.  We did this with our first, and they taught us a lot about carseat safety.

4. If you can't get to a carseat safety check, do your own...when installed, a carseat should not be able to shift side to side more than an inch (this is at the base when installed rear-facing...the top will probably shift a tad more)  When I install mine, I actually climb right into the seat while tightening it down, and it rarely shifts at all when I am done.

5. Even if your car has latch, learn the proper way to install your seat without it.  You may end up wanting to use it in grandma's car or something where latch isn't available.  Using the locking metal clip ensures the tightest fit, but if your seatbelt is equipped with a locking belt portion, it isn't necessary (I still use it, feels safer to me).

6. Always tighten the straps...A LOT.  Obviously you don't want your kid to be uncomfortable, but you need them to be safe.  It's best to avoid plush clothing in carseats, but I know that's hard to avoid in cold winters like our WI ones.  My rule of thumb for that is that if we're in and out a lot doing in town driving (meaning slower) I'll use coats.  If we're going out of town, I prewarm the car, and they just wear sweatshirts.

I think that's it, but any 2nd timers, feel free to add what you can think of !  I was shocked at the OBVIOUSLY loose lap portion of the belt that the boy's mother had used to install his seat today.  Took me about 5 seconds to fix it safely too.  And his straps were ridiculously loose.

I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to carseats.  My son is going on 4, and the idea of him using a booster scares me to death.  I plan on keeping him in a 5 point harness as long as possible.  Luckily he's skinny, so I think we have at least until Kindergarten before he outgrows a 5-point.

bstrangely

thanks for posting this, it's really useful!! i had occasion to use a carseat a couple of months ago, and i realized that i had no idea how to do it. thankfully it was only for a couple of blocks, so i drove really slowly and carefully, but i'm sure i installed it too loosely.

aldyn

Where I am, the CA highway patrol does the carseat inspections and there's a long lead time to get appointments.  Check with whoever does it in your area now so that when you're in your 3rd tri, you can be sure to get in to get the inspection.

I also learned at the inspection that they'll pull you over in CA if they see one of those infant carrier carseats being used with the handle up - apparently you're supposed to put the handle all the way back when you're driving.  I took a carseat safety class (free at my hospital) and they didn't mention that, I only learned it at the inspection.