On This Page

• Types of Conventional Car Seats
  • Rear Facing Only Car Seats
  • Convertible Car Seats
  • All-in-One Car Seats
  • Combination Car Seats
  • Booster Seats

• Seat Belt Fits

Conventional Car Seats

• Use whenever possible
  • Easier to find
  • Easier to use
  • Less expensive
• Meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213)
• Many have variety of features to assist in positioning

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Types of Conventional Car Seats

• Rear-Facing Only
• Convertible (includes All-in-One)
• Combination
• Booster

Rear-Facing Only Car Seats

• Only installed rear-facing
• Lower weight 3-5 pounds
• Upper weight 22-35 pounds
• Helpful features:
  • Positioning inserts/extra padding
  • Multiple harness slots and crotch strap positions
  • Variable recline angles

Positioning Infants

• If allowed by car seat manufacturer
  • Blanket rolls along sides for stable positioning
  • Blanket rolls outside of harness
  • Crotch rolls may also be used to prevent slouching
• No extra padding under or behind baby

Some infants May Require Additional Medical Screening

• Car Seat Tolerance Screening
• Observe infants born < 37 weeks gestation and other at risk infants for apnea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation in car seat
• Infants may require, supplemental oxygen, continued hospitalization, or use of car bed for significant documented events may be indicated
• Car seat tolerance screening must be completed again if car bed is selected

Convertible Car Seats

• Converts from rear-facing to forward-facing seat
• Rear-facing:
  • Lower weight 3-5 pounds
  • Upper weight 40-50 pounds
• Forward-facing:
  • Lower weight 20-25 pounds
  • Upper weight 40-65 pounds
  • 2 years of age for some models

All-in-One Car Seats

• Rear-facing, Forward-facing and Belt Positioning Booster
• Rear-facing:
  • Lower weight 4-5 pounds
  • Upper weight 40-50 pounds
• Forward-facing:
  • Lower weight 22-25 pounds
  • Upper weight 50-65 pounds
  • 2 years of age for some models
• Belt Positioning Booster
  • Lower weight 40 pounds
  • Upper weight 80-120 pounds
  • Up to 57 inches

Combination Car Seats

• Changes from car seat with harness to booster by removing harness and using vehicle lap-and-shoulder belt for crash protection
• Harness mode:
  • Lower weight 22-30 pounds
  • Upper weight 40-65 pounds
  • Child must be 2 years old for some models
• Belt Positioning Booster
  • Lower weight 40 pounds
  • Upper weight 100-120 pounds
  • Up to 57 inches

Booster Seats

• “Boosts” child up so seat belt fits
• Requires lap-and-shoulder belt
• Lower weight 30-40 pounds
• Upper weight 100-120 pounds
• Up to 57 inches
• Minimum age of 4 years for some boosters
• High-back or backless models

Seat Belt Fits

• Sits with bottom against the back seat and knees bend at seat edge
• Shoulder belt crosses clavicle and chest, not face, neck, or throat
• Lap belt low and flat across upper thighs – not abdomen
• Children under 13 always in back seat