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Child Safety Seats – The Four Steps: Guide to Selection and Use

Step 1: Rear-facing Seats

CHILD SIZE		SEAT TYPE
INFANT Birth to 22 lbs.* *Some seats go to 30-35 lbs.		Rear-facing Infant Seat
OLDER INFANT Up to 30/35 pounds *Some seats go to 40/45 lbs.		Rear-facing Convertible Seat

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing child safety seat (CSS) until they are two years of age or until reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their child safety seat.
  
• Recline a rear-facing CSS at no more than a 45 degree angle. Follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep harness straps snug and fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level.
• Route harness straps in slots at or below shoulder level on rear-facing seats. See manufacturer's instructions for correct slots to use.

Step 2: Forward-facing Seats

CHILD SIZE		SEAT TYPE
TODDLER Outgrown rear-facing seat limit, and up to 40 lbs.* *Some seats go up to 50-90 lbs.		Forward-facing Convertible Seat	Combination Seat w/Harness

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown
  the rear-facing weight or height limit for their CSS, should use a
  forward-facing CSS with a harness for as long as possible, up to the
  highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their CSS.
• Route harness straps in appropriate slots at or above shoulder level (see child safety seat instructions).
• Place child safety seat in upright position.
• Keep harness straps snug and fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level.
• Keep child in a 5 point harness until the weight and height limit of seat.
• Always use the tether strap when available.

Step 3: Booster Seats

CHILD SIZE		SEAT TYPE
CHILD at least 40 pounds and under 4'9"		High Back Booster	Backless Booster

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit
  for their CSS should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the
  vehicle lap-and-shoulder seat belt fits properly, typically when they
  have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
• All booster seats must be used with a lap/shoulder belt. Backless boosters must have head support in the vehicle.
• A booster seat allows the lap/shoulder belt to fit correctly; low over hips and upper thighs and snug over the shoulder.
• Higher harness weight seats are available for children not mature enough to ride in a booster seat.

Step 4: Lap/Shoulder Belts

CHILD SIZE		SEAT TYPE
OLDER CHILD At least 4'9" tall		Lap/Shoulder Belt in Vehicle

• Most children 4’9” and older (usually age 8-12 years old) will fit properly in a lap/shoulder
  belt.
• A child is ready for a lap/shoulder belt when he/she can sit with his/her back against the back of the seat and his/her knees can bend at the edge of the seat.
• Never put a shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind his/her back.
• Lap/shoulder belts should fit low over hips and upper thighs and snug over the shoulders. The lap portion should NOT be over the child’s abdomen.

For more information or to locate a Child Safety Seat Technician visit http://buckleup.tamu.edu

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Last updated: 26 May, 2011

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