When my daughter was born six years ago, I carefully followed the car seat recommendations, used the infant car seat until she was 20 lbs, moved her to a convertible car seat when she was too heavy for her infant seat, made sure I waited until her first birthday to turn her convertible car seat forward facing, kept her in her convertible car seat until she was too big for her five point harness straps, then moved her into a high back booster seat at age 3.   The  current recommendations have changed!

Current Minnesota Car seat Law is as follows:

  • All children age 7 and under must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, unless the child is 4’9″ or taller.
  • Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Infants (under 20 pounds and one year of age) must be in a rear-facing safety seat.
  • Driver is responsible.
  • Petty misdemeanor fine for violation is $50
  • Applies to both residents and non-residents of Minnesota.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends keeping children rear-facing until 2 years old if possible.  Legally you need to keep them rear facing until age 1 and 20 lbs.  Protect their fragile neck and spine from accidents by keeping them rear facing as long as possible.  Some car seats can accommodate rear facing children until age 4.

Children should remain in a forward facing, harnessed car seat until they are 4 years old or as long as they can comfortably fit and are within the car seat manufacturers recommended height and weight allowances.  Many 5 point harness car seats sold today accommodate children up to 65 pounds.

Don’t move to the booster seat especially the backless booster seat until they are 40 lbs, and 4 years old.  They will remain in a booster seat for a long time,  until age 8.

Children are not ready for a seat belt only until they can sit safely in the seat belt, with the lap belt across their thighs and the shoulder harness across their shoulder and chest, not across their neck.  They are legally not ready until they are age 8 and 4 foot 9 inches in Minnesota!

If your car seat is older than 6 years throw it away and buy a new one!!  Your child’s life is worth it!  I cringe when I see people using a car seat clearly made in the 80’s, the technology improves constantly to keep your children safe, please don’t use an outdated car seat.

Keep your kids in the backseat!  Children should remain in the backseat until age 13!! They are used to riding in the back of the car, they will have plenty of time to ride in the dangerous front seat when they learn to drive.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40986460@N02/6150727282/sizes/l/in/photostream/

This is an excellent visual for knowing which type of car seat to choose and the safest age ranges for each.