Blog: The Only Thing That Stays the Same is Change

Posted by: Lorrie Walker at Sep 20, 2011 12:00 AM CDT

Keywords: Education

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Child Passenger Safety Week 2011

As a certified child passenger safety technician, I am amazed at how much car seats have changed. They are bigger and heavier and hold older, bigger and heavier children - some even up to 40 pounds.

I am trying to stop using the term “infant seat.” The carriers with bases can now hold children well beyond infancy. I recently realized that when I use the term “infant seat,” I may be giving parents the idea that they should stop using an infant seat long before the height or weight limit is reached. The same goes for “toddler” seats as some newer seats have harnesses with 85 pound weight limits and heights that serve school age children. The child should outgrow the seat by weight or height rather than by age. I want caregivers to use a harness for as long as it fits the child.

In years past, there were limited options, especially for very big or very small children, and seats routinely fit into three categories: infant, toddler, and booster. But that has changed, as each year more and more hybrids emerge to serve a wider variety of kids and their sizes. Having so many choices can make it confusing to parents and even the buyers at the super baby stores. It makes it really hard for me as an educator to quickly explain the differences between car seats. There is just no simple explanation.

When I am out shopping, I like to stop in the baby department and see what’s new. I like to hang out in the car seat aisle talking to people as they make their decision about which seat to purchase. Oftentimes they pick a seat because it costs the most and they assume that it is safer or because they love the fabric which matches their nursery. Seldom do they pull the seat off the shelf and inspect the harness or buckle.

With so many choices it is hard to make an educated decision. I like to tell people that the car seat is one gift they should be 100% comfortable with. Otherwise they should return it for one that fits their car and fits their child. It is a gift that will be used several times a day, often by several different people and maybe in different vehicles. They should have confidence that this is the right product for them and for their child.

I am curious if other people do the same thing in stores and talk to perfect strangers in the car seat aisle. Share your addiction with me at lwalker@safekids.org.

More About Child Passenger Safety

Comment on this Blog Post:

Posted by Anne Hamilton at: September 20, 2011

I often hang out in the car seat aisle just to find a parent who needs help shopping. ;) Your weight limit mentions are confusing. To clarify, the highest current weight limit on a bucket seat is 35 lbs. and there are several with that limit. The highest rear-facing weight on a convertible currently is 45 lbs. (2 seats) with many others going to 40 rear-facing. The highest current harness weight limit on a forward-facing seat is 90 lbs. (one seat); one other has an 85 lb. limit; many others go to 65.