Updated: February 12, 2021
Originally Published: July 27, 2017
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently revamped its car seat recommendations, providing much-needed clarity for parents navigating the sometimes overwhelming world of child safety seats. Let’s face it: car seat shopping can feel like a puzzle with too many pieces, often leaving parents confused about the best choices for their little ones.
The AAP’s updated guidelines cover everything from the appropriate type of car seat for each age group to tips for safe installation, whether the seat is rear-facing or forward-facing. This handy chart outlines which kind of seat is suitable for your child and how long they should use it, serving as a perfect reference when heading out to Target for a new seat. Moreover, the AAP’s comprehensive FAQs address any lingering questions parents might have regarding safe car seat practices.
Once you’ve selected the right seat, the CDC offers a graphic to assist with proper installation, ensuring your child is securely fastened in.
One of the most significant updates from the AAP is the clarification on when a child should stay rear-facing versus when they can transition to forward-facing. The new guidelines specify that “All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years of age or, ideally, until they reach the highest weight or height limits set by their car seat manufacturer.” After outgrowing rear-facing, toddlers and preschoolers should remain in a forward-facing convertible car seat with a five-point harness for as long as possible—until they hit the weight or height limit designated for that seat.
Transitioning from Forward-Facing to Booster Seats
When it comes to the transition from a forward-facing seat to a booster, the AAP has laid out clear criteria for parents to assess readiness:
- The child has reached the maximum weight or height limits for their harnessed seat (these limits are found on the seat and in the instruction manual).
- Their shoulders are above the top harness slots.
- The tops of their ears have reached the top of the seat.
The AAP also emphasizes the importance of booster seats. Children should continue using a belt-positioning booster seat until they surpass a height of 4’9”. This usually happens between the ages of 8 and 12, although many children won’t fit safely without a booster until they are around 10 or 11. Additionally, the AAP advises that all children under 13 should sit in the back seat, a fact that might spark some debate with your school-aged kids who feel they’ve outgrown that requirement. Now you can confidently tell them that the experts say they need to be teenagers to ride up front!
Staying informed about child safety is undoubtedly a challenge, but ensuring you have the right car seat based on your child’s age and size is critical. If you find you need a new seat after reviewing the guidelines, the AAP offers these crucial tips:
- There is no single “best” or “safest” seat. The ideal seat is one that fits your child’s size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and is used properly every time you drive.
- Don’t choose based solely on price; a higher cost does not guarantee improved safety or ease of use.
- Avoid used seats unless you are certain of their history.
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Summary
The AAP has updated its car seat guidelines, offering clear and concise information for parents about car seat safety for children of various ages. These guidelines emphasize the importance of using rear-facing seats until at least age 2, the transition to forward-facing and booster seats, and keeping children in the back seat until age 13. Parents can refer to these new recommendations to ensure their child’s safety during travel.