The Best Seat for Your Child: One to Four Years Old
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: When your toddler (at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds) reaches the highest weight allowed by your rear-facing seat, you need to switch to a child safety seat designed to be used forward-facing. Keep your toddler in the rear-facing position up to the maximum weight allowed by your convertible seat as long as the top of her head is below the top of the safety seatback. (Check your car seat instruction manual or seat label for your seat's weight and height limits for rear-facing use.)
Convertible seats, forward-facing
Combination seats, forward-facing only
Convertible seats, forward-facing - Use facing forward for children over one year old and 20 pounds or more.
- Use until child outgrows it (when the top of the ears reach top of the seat, when shoulders are above the top slots, or when child reaches the upper weight/height limit), then move to a booster seat.
Three types of convertible seats- Five-point harness. Contains two shoulder straps, two hip straps and one crotch strap. Many safety experts prefer this system because the straps can be adjusted to fit snugly across the child’s strong hip bones.
What to watch out for: Straps may twist or tangle – keep them flat for best protection. - Tray-shield. Shoulder straps attach to a wide, padded shield that swings up.
What to watch out for: Some shields may not fit over the child’s head unless the straps are adjusted each time. It may be hard to get a snug fit on the child’s hips. In some cars, the roof may be too low so the shield cannot be lifted all the way. - T-shield seat. Shoulder straps attach to a flat pad which keeps straps flat and can be buckled with one hand.
What to watch out for: It may be hard to get a snug fit on the child’s hips. Many of these seats were manufactured more then six years ago, which is too old to use. Make sure to check the seat's manufacture date.
Combination seats, forward-facing only - Forward-facing-only seats provide a full harness for upper body and head restraint.
- Not recommended for under age one and under 20 pounds.
- Use until child outgrows it (when the top of the ears reach top of the seat, when shoulders are above the top slots, or when child reaches the upper weight/height limit), then move to a booster seat.
Source: Buckle Up Kids! A Guide for Choosing the Right Child Safety Restraint and Instructions for Correct Use, Minnesota Child Passenger Safety Program
The best seat for your car: carseatdata.org
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