2/22/11 – Topic #5 – Car Seat Safety

Work was a little hectic after the holiday…plus this Friday is my Friday off, so it’s a very short week for me! It feels like a Monday...but it’s Tuesday…well, work wise, it’s actually Wednesday. Man, I’m going to be all out of sorts this week, that’s for sure!

After work, I washed some dishes and bottles, cleaned up the kitchen and made dinner…you know, the usual. Christian had to return the SUPER loud humidifier we bought for Olivia’s room…there is definitely a reason it was only $17.00! Ha. He then picked up the girls and came home. He did have to shovel out the end of our drive-way quickly…thanks snow plow!

Amelia was OUT OF CONTROL tonight. I was seriously going to lose it. She cried and cried and cried, nothing helped. Held her, fed her, nursed her, burped her, changed her…she cried. We could not figure out what in the world was wrong with her. We finally put the girls to bed, and neither of them were having it. It took forever to get Amelia down…then Olivia woke up and woke her up…I think it’s going to be a loooooong night!

Car Seat Safety
It amazes me how little people seem to know about something as important as a car seat. Your car is literally a deadly weapon, and you drive your most precious cargo around in it…you should definitely know the ins and outs of car seat safety!

First and foremost, in virtually every state in the county (definitely in Minnesota), children must be in a REAR FACING car seat until they are BOTH 1 year of age AND 20 pounds. No ifs ands or buts about it. Weather your child cries or “hates it” or “looks uncomfortable”…it’s the law.

Furthermore, that is really the minimum your child should rear face. Rear facing a child is the safest way for them to ride in a car. The latest recommendations are to the age of 5! Unfortunately, the convertible car seats we bought (while good quality seats), do not have the height allowance to accommodate that much time (at least with Olivia). But, ever child should be rear faced until at least 2 years of age. Think of it like this…when you get into an accident (whether hit via the front or back end), the initial, strongest, impact of the accident will pull every passenger in the car towards the front of the vehicle. Your child’s spine is still relatively small in comparison to their head size, and when they are pulled forward, that impact has a high potential of snapping their tiny little necks. Where, then they are rear facing, the force pulls them into the back of their seat. Yes, rear facing CAN increase the risk of a broken leg/ankle, depending on the kind of accident and the child, but morbid as it is “would you rather cast or have a casket”…

I had never heard of “Extended Rear Facing” until I had Olivia, and became active in an online community. I’m ashamed to admit that we didn’t even know the 1 and 20lbs law until we moved Olivia into her convertible car seat at around 7 months old and I read it in the manual. I REALLY wish the law would change to a 2 years requirement, I really, really wish pediatricians would be more informative about both the law and the benefits of extended rear facing with parents. I can’t tell you how many strange looks and questions we got when people would see Olivia rear facing as such an “old” age. It’s sad really.

In addition to my main focus of Extended Rear Facing, there are other key points everybody should be aware of when it comes to car seat safety:

1. Kids 12 and under should ALWAYS ride in the back seat. This cuts their risk of death by 36%.
2. Kids should/must (depending on your state…MUST in Minnesota) be in a car seat or booster until they can be seated property in a seatbelt. For most kids, this is around 8 years old or 4' 9" tall, but proper seatbelt fit is the most important factor.
3. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat when there is an active frontal airbag.
4. Keep your baby rear facing as long as possible. That can mean up to 35 or 40 pounds in most current convertible seats, unless they outgrow it by height first. Invest in a QUALITY convertible car seat, with this minimum.
5. All current car seats pass government safety standards. Select the one that best fits your child, your vehicle and your budget. Some models do have different features; select one that has the features that will allow you to use it correctly EVERY trip.
6. Always read the owners manuals for your vehicle and car seat thoroughly. They often contain specific information about car seat installation that may not be obvious. Some models may vary from what you would expect.
7. Make sure that the harness fits snugly on your child, the car seat fits snugly in your vehicle and that your vehicle seatbelts are locked properly.
8. When you buy a car seat, make sure you have a good return policy in case it doesn't fit or in case you find you don't like it. Have your seat inspected by a certified technician for free.
9. Please be wary of used car seats, especially those over six years old, those with an unknown history that may have been in a crash, those that show any form of cracks or damage, and those with missing labels, model number, manufacturing date, instructions or parts. Car seats DO have expiration dates on them, and for a reason. Car seats that have been in an accident, small or large, should no longer be used.
10. You should never have your child wear a bulky coat in their car seat. Bulkiness interferes with the restraint system of the car seat. Infants should never need a coat…clothes, maybe a sweater, and a blanket wrapped around them (after they are strapped in) should be more than enough to keep them warm. You can then drape a blanket over the seat when outdoors, or buy something like we have, to go over the seat (but does not interfere with the safety straps)…we have something like this: http://www.infantcarseatreview.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/pink-kiddopotamus-infant-car-seat-cover.jpg. BundleMe’s and “snow suits” that clip into the harness are NOT safe, and DO revoke the warranty of your car seat. They also sell poncho-style blankets you can drape over your older child in their car seats, or you can simply put a blanket over them once buckled in. To test the safety of what your child is wearing in their seat…put them in the seat, clothed and ready to go, make sure the straps are tight and in place. Then, remove your child, remove their outerwear, put them back in the seat, and check the straps. If they are still tight and do not need adjusting, your child’s clothing is acceptable. If you need to adjust the straps, your child is not safe.

Cheap is NOT the way to go when it comes to car seats. We have the Evenflow Symphony for our girls, and we really like them (other than the height issue…I am comfortable turning them at 2 though). The Britax series is great, and the MyRide 65 is another wonderful choice. Really do your research when picking out this very important item.

Things to look for in an infant car seat:

1. Able to use rear-facing up to 22-35 pounds, depending on the model.
2. A 5-point harness, keep chest clip at armpit level and not on the neck or tummy.
3. Harness strap slots should be at or below the shoulders
4. A front adjuster to tighten the harness makes it easy to use.
5. Newborns and infants should have a 45 degree maximum recline.
6. Built-in angle indicators and adjusters may help get the correct recline.
7. Manufacturers have differing instructions on where handle should be while traveling. Read the instruction manual to learn if it should be up or down in the vehicle.
8. A rear facing tether or impact foam found on some models may improve safety.
9. Infant seats may fit newborns better than convertible models.
10. Some models include a complete stroller and base system, while others may include just the convenient base that installs in the car.

Things to look for in a convertaible car seat:

1. Select a model with a minimum of 35 or 40 pound rear-facing weight limit and keep your child rear facing as long as possible.
2. Your child should be turned front facing at the car seats rear-facing limit, or if the top of their head is within an inch of the top of the shell.
3. Select a model with a 5-point harness and front harness adjuster.
4. Keep the harness straps at or below the shoulders while rear facing and front facing.
5. Some older models require the use of TOP slots while front-facing (Check your manual).
6. Keep chest clip at armpit level, not on the neck or tummy
7. Make sure you use the correct seat belt path or LATCH hooks intended for front-facing or rear-facing.
8. A 45 degree maximum recline is needed for newborns and young infants while rear facing. Older babies with good head support can have less recline while rear-facing.
9. Upright with no recline is best for front-facing
10. Some models feature tethers that can also be used rear-facing and impact foam for added safety. Some also have built-in locking clips for convenience.

Things to look for in a booster seat:

1. Best used at a minimum of 40 pounds with a lap AND shoulder belt. Your child should remain in a 5-point harness as long as possible. Most high quality car seats allow 5-point harness for front facing up to 65-80 lbs.
2. Use until the manufacturer's weight limit, or until your child can wear a seatbelt properly (check your states requirements as well), usually around 8 years old or 4' 9" tall.
3. Shoulder belt should cross the center of the shoulder and chest, not on the neck.
4. Lap belt should be high on the thighs or low on the hips, not on the tummy.
5. Use a high back model if your vehicle has low seat backs with no head rests. Some models may offer increased side impact protection.
6. A backless model is fine if your vehicle has headrests, or if there is plenty of growing room from the tops of your child's ears up to the top of the seat back.
7. Many models have open loop shoulder belt guides that don't catch like some guides on combination seats.
8. Many have adjustable head supports and extra padding for added comfort, compared to combination seats.

So, that's my tutorial. There is a lot of research and information available out there...just look for it. Remember, when talking car seats, you truly are talking about one of the most valuable items you'll ever purchase and use.

Now, here is a video of my cutie pie. Don't be jealous of my amazing singing voice!