Choosing the right car seat as your child grows is essential to keeping them safe on every ride. In this article, we explain the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for using rear-facing car seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats, plus tips on installation, transitions, and protecting your child’s safety in all types of vehicles.
Need more guidance? Pediatric Associates of Austin offers in‑office car seat consultations and hands-on car seat checks in Austin, Texas. Our providers can make sure your child’s seat is correctly installed and ready for every trip. Contact us today.
The AAP recommends keeping kids in the safest option for as long as possible. That means matching the seat to your child’s age, weight, and height limits, and how they ride best. These are the following types of car seats are available for children:
Safety reminder: Never place a seat on the rear shelf or any surface not designed for passengers, and take extra care in pickup trucks, where airbags and seating layouts may differ.
To keep your child safe while travelling, follow the guidelines below for each stage:
The AAP advises keeping children in the rear-facing car seat until they hit the maximum weight or height limits for that seat, rather than just until age 2. Many convertible seats allow rear-facing up to 40–50 lbs for extended protection of the head, neck, and spine. Follow these guidelines while setting up the seat:
Always check your seat’s model number for specific weight limits and height limits to know when your child outgrows that model.
After rear‑facing, children can move to a forward-facing seat with a 5‑point harness and top tether. Some safety seats hold kids this way until 60 lbs or more, offering vital protection for your child’s body in the event of a car crash. Adjust the harness height to be at or above the shoulders
Remember, no aftermarket products are considered safe to add to a car seat unless they are produced by the car seat manufacturer. Aftermarket products include seat strap pads, neck support, or pillows. These products are considered NOT SAFE and should not be used.
The booster seat stage lasts until the lap belt and shoulder belt provide a proper seat belt fit without the booster.
This should usually be until they are taller than 4”9 (144 cm) AND at least 80 lbs. Many children are 10 years old or older at this stage.
To ride without a booster, children/teens should pass the 5-Step Test. To pass this test, children/teens should be able to do all the following:
If the child/teen can do all of these, he/she can ride using the vehicle seat belt alone.
Rules for sitting in the front vs the back seat are determined by age, height, and weight.
Those under 13 years of age need to sit in the back seat. Once the teen is 13 years and 5 feet tall (60 inches, 152 cm) and 100 lbs, he/she can move to the front seat.
The following safety tips can ensure your children receive the maximum protection:
Pediatric Associates of Austin can help you with the appropriate child seat through every transition, making sure they are safe and secure.
Contact us in Austin, Texas, to schedule your car seat appointment. We’ll discuss safe travel recommendations at every well check and make sure your little traveler stays child safe, every ride, every time.
Medically reviewed by Emily Woodard, MSN, APRN, CPNP
