Buckling your child into a car seat is a right of passage for parents and of vital importance for childhood safety. So why does something that seems so simple present so many questions? My kids are older now, but I remember the car seat debate. What car seat is best for what age and when do you switch? And finally, when do you not need the car seat at all?
In a blog on the Henry Ford Health website, pediatrician Dr. Shoshana Gordon has this to say: “Kids shouldn’t sit in a regular seat until they’re at least 11 or 12 years old.”
However, it’s important for parents to keep up with the guidelines, she explains. “With more studies and research, adjustments to safety regulations are routinely made to keep kids as safe as possible.”
Children grow at different rates, so be sure the car seat they use aligns with their measurements, no matter their age, advises Dr. Gordon. Be sure to ask your pediatrician if you’re not sure what to use.
With individual needs in mind, here is a comprehensive guide to ensure your child is safely seated during every stage of their growth.
Car Seat Safety by Age
Newborn – 3 Years Old: Rear Facing Car Seat
From birth until about 2 or 3 years old, children should sit in a rear-facing car seat. This position protects them by distributing the force of a collision across the bony structures on their back rather than their soft tissues.
“If you’re facing forward during a collision, your chest and stomach will receive most of the impact,” explains Dr. Gordon. “Rear-facing car seats position babies so that, in the event of a collision, the bony structures on the back are impacted and not the soft-tissue structures.”
3 Years Old – 7 Years Old: Forward-Facing Car Seat
Once children outgrow their rear-facing car seats, they can transition to forward-facing car seats with a five-point harness, which they should use until around age 7, depending on their height and weight.
“You can get a convertible car seat for your child that transitions from rear- to forward-facing so you don’t have to keep buying a new car seat,” Dr. Gordon says.
7 Years Old – 12 Years Old: Booster Seat
When children outgrow their forward-facing car seats, they can move to booster seats. Booster seats elevate children so that the car’s seat belt fits properly across their shoulder and lap.
“Aside from size, another factor to consider before switching to a booster seat is whether your child is developmentally able to sit,” says Dr. Gordon. If they’re still moving around, they should continue using a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness.
12 Years Old – 13 Years Old: Back Seat
Children should use a booster seat until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall, typically around age 11 or 12, when the seatbelt fits safely around their shoulders and lap. Dr. Gordon advises, “Your child should sit only in the backseat — not in the front seat — until they’re at least 13 years old.”
Car Seat Safety Tips
- Middle Back Seat Placement: The middle back seat is the safest spot for a car seat. If you need to place it on a side, either side in the back is equally safe.
- Pinch Test: To ensure your child is secure in the car seat, perform the pinch test. If you can pinch the straps together, tighten them until you can’t.
- Avoid Bulky Clothing: Remove any bulky clothing before putting your child in the car seat to ensure they are securely strapped in. Dr. Gordon suggests, “You can buy winter covers for newborns that sit on top of the car seat to keep them warm.”
- Inspection Stations: If you’re unsure about the correct installation of a car seat, visit an inspection station where certified technicians can help ensure your seat is installed properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a directory of inspection sites.
Ready to put that car seat knowledge to good use? Metro Parent has you covered! Check out these five family-friendly road trip destinations that promise fun and learning for your little ones:
- Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak, MI): Explore animal exhibits, ride the Tauber Family Railroad and enjoy playgrounds.
- The Henry Ford Greenfield Village (Dearborn, MI): Indoor and outdoor fun with historic vehicle rides, hands-on activities and a peek into America’s past.
- Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (Ann Arbor, MI): Interactive science and art exhibits will engage the kids with hours of fun.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Auburn Hills, MI): Enjoy rides, a 4D cinema and creative building zones. A dream for LEGO lovers!
- Belle Isle Park (Detroit, MI): This island park has an aquarium, nature center and picnic spots. Ideal for outdoor play and relaxation!
For more children’s health tips and to find a doctor, visit henryford.com. Dr. Shoshana Gordon sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Centers in Royal Oak and Sterling Heights. Metro Parent has more answers to your kids’ health questions when you click here.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/WNZpXsr
0 comments:
Post a Comment