1. Selecting
a car safety seat for the child's individual needs
2. Positioning and
Securing the child in the car safety seat following the manufacturer's
instructions
3. Installing
the car safety seat correctly in the vehicle following both the car
seat instructions and the car owner's manual
(For a more complete listing see aap.org)
| Type | Weight Limits | Height Limits | Comments | Manufacturers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Only | Birth to 30 lbs (manufacturers vary) | Up to 35" (manufacturers vary) | Look for small harness dimensions for small or premature babies |
Britax, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Graco Children's Products Also see Seat/Restraint Manufacturers |
| Convertible | Rear-facing birth or 5 to 35 lbs; forward facing 20 to 65 lbs
(manufacturers vary) |
Up to 49" (manufacturers vary) | Look for higher rear-facing weight limits; 5 point harness preferred (manufacturers vary) | Britax, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Graco Children's Products Also see Seat/Restraint Manufacturers |
| Combination seats | 20 to 65 lbs with harness; up to 100 lbs as booster withot harness (manufacturers vary) | Up to 57" (manufacturers vary) | Look for easy to use harness adjustment from the front; must use lap/shoulder belt when harness is removed and used as a belt positioning booster (manufacturers vary) | Britax, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Graco Children's Products Also see Seat/Restraint Manufacturers |
| Forward facing seats/restraints | 20 to 100 lbs (manufacturers vary) | Up to 53" (manufacturers vary) | May require tether use | Britax, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Graco Children's Products Also see Seat/Restraint Manufacturers |
| Booster seats | 30 to 100 lbs (manufacturers vary) | Up to 60" (manufacturers vary) |
MUST use lap/shoulder belt | Britax, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Graco Children's Products Also see Seat/Restraint Manufacturers |
| Specialty Seats/ Restraints | ||||
| Car beds | Birth to 21 lbs (manufacturers vary) | Up to 29" ( manufacturers vary) |
Sometimes used for small/premature babies and other medical conditions that require a prone, supine or lying sideways position | Cosco, Snug Seat discontinued Feb. 2006 (some hospitals may have available), Angel Guard (Mercury Distributing) |
| Hippo (replaced Spelcast which was discontinued 2004--some hospitals may have available) | 5 to 33 lbs rear-facing; 20 to 65 forward facing (casted weight) | Up to 49"-child's head should not go above seat, or shoulders above the top harness slots when forward facing | Designed for children in casts/braces, who cannot sit in traditional car seats | Snug Seat |
| Orthopedic Positioning Seats/Large Medical Seats | 20 to 130 lbs ( manufacturers vary) |
Up to 56" or child's head not to extend above car seat back height (manuacturers vary) | Forward facing; designed for children with decreased head, neck and trunk control | Columbia, Snug Seat,Britax,Carrie, Special Tomato, Merritt Manufact. |
| Travel Vests | 20 to 164 lbs (manufacturers vary) |
Height varies--some waist limitations | Two types of vest: For upright seating positions, i.e. for behavioral conditions or decreased trunk control; also vests for lying down in a vehicle depending on medical condition | |
| Mobility Base Systems | Up to 110 lbs (manufacturers vary) | Varies-may be based on child's specific measurements |
Sunrise Medical, Mulholland Positioning Systems, Sammons Preston |
|
*
*
*
*
