Baby Car Seats

What if my baby is born prematurely?
Premature infants should be observed by a health care professional in their car seats while still in the hospital to make sure the reclined position does not cause low heart rate, low oxygen, or breathing problems. If your baby needs to lie flat during travel, use a crash-tested car bed. Otherwise, use a rear-facing car seat without a tray shield.

What if my baby weighs more than 20 pounds but is not 1 year old yet?
Many babies reach 20 pounds before their first birthday. However, just because your baby weighs more than 20 pounds does not make her ready to ride facing forward in their car seat. Use a convertible car seat or a href="/Infant-Car-Seats-C59888.html">infant car seat that can be used rear-facing by children over 20 pounds. Keep your baby rear-facing at least until she has reached her first birthday.

What if my child has special health care needs?
Children with special health needs may have to use special restraint systems. Information about transporting your child with special needs is available from the National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs at www.preventinjury.org.

What if my car has air bags?
If your car has a passenger air bag, infants in rear-facing car seats must ride in the back seat. Even in a relatively low-speed crash, the air bag can inflate, strike the car seat, and cause serious brain and neck injury.

What if my car only has lap belts in the back seat?
Lap belts work fine when installing infant car seats, convertible car seats, and toddler car seat. They cannot be used with booster car seats. If your car only has lap belts, use a forward facing car seat with a harness.

Can I use a car seat on an airplane?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that when flying, children should be securely fastened in car seats until 4 years of age. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Most infant car seats, convertible car seats, and forward-facing car seat seats are certified to be used on airplanes. Booster seats and travel vests are not. Check the label on your car seat and call the car seat manufacturer before travel to ensure your seat is certified for use on an airplane.