Doctors Notes:

Car Seats

It only takes a walk from our front door to our car to frigidly realize that it is winter in Michigan. And, as we drive a few feet on the road- we also realize that a safe car ride cannot be taken for granted. Now, even if you’re a great driver (or not so great like some of us…😊), there is one measure you can take to keep our little ones safe on the roads, even in not-so-safe driving conditions: car seats.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “reports that nationally the lives of 325 children under the age of 5 were saved by a car seat in 2017”- wow! That is one encouraging (and warming) thought. So, okay, we can all agree car seats are a great idea- however, many times we find ourselves wondering if we have truly picked the correct car safety restraint for our precious cargo…the following are a few helpful tips:

Michigan Child Passenger Safety Laws require that all children younger than age 4 ride in a car seat in the rear seat if the vehicle has a rear seat:

• If all back seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat.
• A child in a rear-facing car seat may only ride in the front seat if the air bag is turned off.
• Children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall.
• All passengers under 16 years old must use a seat belt in any seating position.
• All front seat occupants must use a seat belt regardless of age.
• Children should never ride on a lap, in a portable crib, or in any other device not approved for use in the vehicle.

Thank you, Michigan, for providing protective laws for our children! Now, let’s get a little more specific on what guidelines provide the most safety:

A car seat is the best way to keep a child safe in the car. If there is a car crash, a seat belt is not enough- so…what are the car seat options? So glad you asked!

• Rear-facing car seats – These have a 5-point harness. They include infant seats that are rear facing only. There are also “convertible” seats that can be rear facing then switched to forward-facing later.
• Forward-facing car seats – These have a 5-point harness. Some car seats are designed to be forward-facing only. Others are “convertible” seats that can be used rear-facing or forward-facing.
• Booster seats – These are used after a child has outgrown their forward-facing car seat. Some boosters have a high back to support the head and neck. Others are backless. Backless boosters are best for use in a car that has head rests.
• Some car seats are “all in one.” They can be used rear-facing at first, then forward-facing, then converted into a booster.

And which type is best for my little one? Well…it depends; recommendations are based on age, height, weight, and your car.

• All babies under one year should ride in a rear-facing car seat. Many people choose an infant “bucket” seat that clicks into a base that stays in the car. The other option is a “convertible” car seat. These can be installed rear-facing, then switched to forward-facing when the child is older. Keep your baby or toddler in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, but at least until they are two years old and reach the height and weight limit for the seat. This is the safest position for them.
• Once your child reaches the rear-facing height or weight allowed by their seat, switch them to a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
• When your child outgrows the forward-facing seat, use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt. This should be based on the child’s height, not their age. They should be tall enough for the shoulder belt to lie across their shoulder and chest, not their face or neck.
• Keep using a booster until your child is at least 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) tall. For most children, this is between about 8 and 12 years old. Make sure that the lap and shoulder belt fit properly.
• Children should not sit in the front seat of a car until they are at least 13 years old.

Now that we know which car seat we should use, let’s focus on making sure our little ones are safe in their car seat:

• If you are using an infant seat with a handle for carrying, check the instructions to make sure that the handle is in the right position.
• The harness straps should be flat and not twisted.
• The straps should be threaded through the seat at or just below your child’s shoulders for rear-facing seats and at or just above your child’s shoulders for a forward-facing seat.
• The chest clip should be even with their armpits.
• The harness should be snug against the child’s body.
• Do not dress your child in bulky clothing or a coat while they are in their car seat. This can make it hard to buckle them in safely. If it is cold, tuck a blanket over the harness once it is buckled snugly.
• In a booster seat, the shoulder belt should lie across the child’s shoulder and chest, not their face or neck and the lap belt should lie across their upper thighs, not their belly.

Phew! That was a lot of information- but very likely, just a review of what we already know, and may simply need a reminder on how important it is to follow these safety precautions. Most of the information we covered today can be found on the websites for: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning, and American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children, along with the physician reference website UpToDate.

Thank you for reading! And stay warm and safe 😊.