What You Need to Know About Car Seats – Infant Stage
One of the first things that new parents will quickly realize when it comes to car seats is that installation and the use of car seats vary based on the age and size of your child. There is no set it and forget it option for car seats. This also means that there will be a bit of a learning curve for each growth stage that your child goes through.
Car Seats and the Infant Stage
The first car seat that you will use for your child is at the infant stage. Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act requires that all children must use a rear facing car seat until they weigh at least 20 lbs. This is only a minimum requirement and the child can remain in a rear facing car seat either until they outgrow it in terms of height and length. Keep in mind that some rear facing car seats are designed to accommodate children of up to 45 lbs.
Quick Tips for Car Seats for the Infant Stage
- Make sure you are aware of all the laws, rules, and regulations regarding rear facing car seats
- Once you install your car seat, have it inspected or attend a car seat clinic in your area
- Rear facing seats to only to be used in the back seat of cars
- When in the seat, the child should face the back of the car and the car seat itself should rest at a 45 degree angle
- Harness straps should rest at or just below your infants shoulder
- When installed properly, the car seat should not move more than 1 inch in any direction where the seat belt or strap passes through
- Keep your child in a rear facing car seat until they get to the maximum height or weight limits as per the car seat manufacturer’s instruction
Once your child grows out of their rear facing seat, it is time for them to graduate to a forward facing car seat. Stay tuned for a future blog post about car seats and the forward facing stage.
More Information
For more information about properly installing your car seat check out the Ministry of Transportation website and their page dedicated to Tips for Installing Child Car Seats.