Here are Betty's answers to the most popular questions about car seats.
What are the ages for car seats?
The specific age when a car seat should be used varies based on the manufacturer’s weight and height guidelines. Generally, here are the types of car seats you should consider based on your child’s age:
- Under 9 months: infant, convertible or all-in-one car seats
- 9 months to 4 years: convertible or all-in-one car seats
- Over 4 years old: high back or backless booster seats
Are all car seats safe?
All car seats sold in the US have to meet federal safety standards. As listed above, some car seats can go above and beyond these standards by adding additional safety features. One thing worth reiterating is that all these safety features and standards are moot if the car seat is not installed properly.
Should a car seat go behind the driver or passenger?
The best location for a car seat is in the back row middle seat. This ensures the car seat is far away from any airbags that could be harmful to your little one. A study published in 2008, concluded that children with car seats installed in the center had 43% lower risk of injury than children with car seats installed on the sides. However, if the car seat cannot be properly installed in the middle seat, then it is safer to install it on the sides.