Features to look for in rear-facing seats
- Harness slots. Look for seats that come with more than one harness slot
to give your baby room to grow. The harnesses should be in the slots at or
below your baby's shoulders.
- Adjustable buckles and shields. Many rear facing seats have 2 or more
buckle positions for growing babies. Many overhead shields can be adjusted as
well.
- Other features. Angle indicators (built-in angle adjusters that help
you get the proper recline) and head support systems are other features that
can help you install the seat the right way.

Forward-facing seat |
Forward-facing seats
Once your child is at least 1 year of age and at least
20 pounds, he can ride forward-facing. However, it is best for him to ride
rear-facing until he reaches the highest weight or height limit allowed by the
car safety seat. There are many types of seats that can be used forward-facing
including convertible seats, built in seats, combination forward-facing/booster
seats, and travel vests.
Convertible seats (used forward-facing)
As mentioned previously, convertible seats can also be
used forward-facing by children who are at least 1 year of age and weigh at
least 20 pounds. However, if you have used
your convertible seat rear-facing, you need to make the following 3 adjustments
before using it forward-facing:
- Move the shoulder straps to the slots that are at or
above your child's shoulders. On many convertible seats, the top harness slots
must be used when the seat is in the forward-facing position. Check the
instructions to be sure.
- Move the seat from the reclined to the upright
position if required by the manufacturer of the seat.
- Make sure the seat belt runs through the
forward-facing belt path.
When converting your seat from rear-facing to
forward-facing, carefully follow the car safety seat manufacturer's
instructions.
Built-in seats
Built-in seats are available in some cars and vans. Weight and height limits
vary. Read your vehicle owner's manual or contact the manufacturer for details
about how these seats are used.
Combination forward-facing/booster seats
Some car safety seats combine the features of a forward-facing seat and a
booster seat. These seats come with harness straps for children who weigh up to
40 to 65 pounds (depending on the model). Once your child reaches the weight or
height limit, you can use the seat as a booster by removing the harness and
using your vehicle's lap and shoulder seat belts. Keep in mind that when using
the harness straps, the seat can be secured with a lap and shoulder belt or a
lap-only belt. However, once you remove the harness, you must use a lap and
shoulder seat belt. Children must never ride in a booster seat using a lap belt
only because serious injury can result.
Travel vests
If your car only has lap belts, a travel vest may be an option. These can also
be used for a child who has outgrown his seat with a harness but is not yet
ready for a booster seat.
Booster seats
Booster seats do not come with harness straps but are
used with the lap and shoulder seat belts in your vehicle, the same way

Belt-positioning booster seat |
an adult rides. Your child should stay in a car safety
seat with a harness as long as possible before being allowed to ride in a
booster seat. You can tell when your child is ready for a booster seat when one
of the following is true:
- She reaches the top weight or height allowed for her
seat with a harness. (These measurements are listed on labels on the seat and
are also included in the instruction booklet that is provided with the car
safety seat.)
- Her shoulders are above the harness slots.
- Her ears have reached the top of the seat.
Booster seats are designed to raise your child so that
the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. This means the lap belt lies low
across your child's thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your
child's chest and shoulder. Correct belt fit helps protect the stomach, spine,
and head from injury in case of a crash. Both high-back and backless booster
seats are available. Booster seats should be used until your child can correctly
fit in lap and shoulder seat belts.
Seat belts
Your child is ready to use lap and shoulder seat belts
when the belts fit properly.
This means
- The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the
chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat.
- The lap belt is low and snug across the thighs, not
the stomach.
- The child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle
seat back with her legs bent without slouching and can stay in this position
comfortably throughout the trip.
Remember, seat belts are made for adults. If the seat
belt does not fit your child correctly, he should stay in a booster seat until
the adult seat belts fit him correctly. This is usually when the child reaches
about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age.
Other
points to keep in mind when using seat belts
- Never tuck the shoulder belt under the child's arm
or behind the back.
- If there's only a lap belt, make sure it's snug and
low on the child's thighs, not across the stomach. Try to get a lap and
shoulder belt installed in your car by a dealer.
- Never allow children or anyone else to "share" seat
belts. All passengers must have their own car safety seats or seat belts.
A
warning about seat belt adjusters
There are products on the market that claim to make
seat belts fit better. They attach to the seat belt but are not a part of the
original belt. These products may actually interfere with proper lap and
shoulder belt fit by causing the lap belt to ride too high on the stomach and
making the shoulder belt too loose, and may even damage the seat belt itself. No
federal standard ensuring the effectiveness and safety of these after-market
products has been developed. In addition, most vehicle and car safety seat
manufacturers do not recommend their use. Until the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration develops safety standards for these products, the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends they not be used. As long as children are
riding in the correct car safety seat for their size and age, they do not need
to use any additional devices.
Installing a car
safety seat
There are 2 main things to remember when installing a car safety seat.
- Your child must be buckled snugly into the seat.
- The seat must be buckled tightly into your vehicle.
Ask yourself the following questions to make sure both
are done correctly. If you are not sure, check the instructions that came with
your car safety seat, or contact a certified CPS Technician for help.
Is the child
buckled into the car safety seat correctly?
- Are you using the correct harness slots?
- Are the harnesses snug?
- Have you placed the plastic harness clip (if your seat comes with one)
at armpit level to hold the shoulder straps in place?
- Do the harness straps lie flat?
- Is your baby dressed in clothes that allow the straps to go between the
legs? It's OK to adjust the straps to allow for thicker clothes, but make sure
the harness still holds the child snugly. Also, remember to tighten the straps
again after the thicker clothes are no longer needed.
- Is anything under your baby? Tuck blankets around your baby after
adjusting the harness straps snugly. Never place them under your baby.
- Is your child slouching down or to the side? If so, pad the sides of
the seat and between the crotch with rolled up diapers or blankets.
Is the car safety
seat buckled into the vehicle correctly?
- Is the car safety seat facing the right direction for your child's age
and weight?
- Is the seat belt routed through the correct belt path?
- Is the seat belt buckled tight? If you can move the seat more than an
inch side to side or toward the front of the car, it's not tight enough.
- Is your rear-facing seat reclined enough? Your infant's head should not
flop forward. If it does, tilt the car safety seat back a little. Your car
safety seat may have a built-in recline adjuster for this purpose. If not,
wedge firm padding, such as a rolled towel, under the base.
- Do you need a locking clip? They come with all new car safety seats. If
the seat belts in your car move freely even when buckled, you need a locking
clip. If you're not sure, check the manual that came with your car. Locking
clips are not needed in most newer vehicles and in vehicles with LATCH. (See
"Installation made safer and easier" below for more information.)
Some lap belts (especially those found in
older vehicles) need a special heavy-duty locking clip. These are only
available from the vehicle manufacturer. Check the manual that came with your
car for more information.
Installation made
safer and easier
Child passenger safety experts have developed several
ways to make car safety seat installation safer and easier, including the
following:
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is an
attachment system that makes installing a car safety seat easier by
eliminating the need to use seat belts to secure the car safety seat. It
includes 2 sets of small bars, called anchors, located in the back seat where
the cushions meet. Car safety seats that come with LATCH have a set of
attachments that fasten to these vehicle anchors. Nearly all passenger
vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1, 2002, come
with LATCH. However, unless both your vehicle and the car safety seat have
this anchor system, you will still need to use seat belts to secure the car
safety seat.
- A tether is a strap that attaches a car safety seat
to an anchor located on the rear window ledge, the back of the vehicle seat,
or on the floor or ceiling of the vehicle. Tethers give extra protection by
keeping the car safety seat and the child's head from moving too far forward
in a crash or sudden stop. Tethers should not be confused with LATCH
attachments; the tether is a longer strap at the top of the seat and LATCH
attachments are located at or near the base of the seat. All new cars,
minivans, and light trucks have been required to have tether anchors since
September 2000. Most new forward-facing car safety seats and a few rear-facing
car safety seats come with tethers. For older car safety seats, tether kits
are available. It is highly recommended that tethers be used because they
greatly improve the protection of your child in the event of a crash. Check
with the car safety seat manufacturer to find out how you can get a tether for
your seat if yours does not have one.
- Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians can help
you. If you have more questions about installing your car safety seat, a
certified CPS Technician may be able to help. A list of certified CPS
Technicians is available by state or ZIP code on the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/contacts/. A list of inspection
stations- where you can go for help with installation-is available in both
English and Spanish at www.seatcheck.org
or toll-free at 866/SEATCHECK (866/732-8243). You can also get this
information by calling the toll-free NHTSA Auto Safety Hot Line at
888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236), from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET, Monday through
Friday.
|
Car safety seats and shopping
carts
Many infant-only car safety seats lock
into shopping carts, and many stores have shopping carts with built-in
infant seats. This may seem safe but your baby could tip over or fall
out of the cart. Thousands of children are hurt every year from falling
from shopping carts or from the carts tipping over. Instead of placing
your baby's car safety seat on the cart, consider using a stroller or
frontpack while shopping with your baby. |
|
Common questions about car safety seats
Q: What if my baby is born prematurely?
A: Use a car safety seat without a shield harness. Shields often are too high
and too far from the body to fit correctly. A small baby's face could hit a
shield in a crash. Premature infants should be observed in their car safety
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. If possible, an adult should ride in the back seat next to
your baby to watch him closely.
Q: What if my baby weighs more than 20 pounds but is
not 1 year old yet?
A: Many babies reach 20 pounds well before their first birthday. However, just
because your baby weighs more than 20 pounds does not make him ready to ride
forward facing. Look for a convertible seat that can be used rear-facing by
children who weigh more than 20 pounds.
Q: What if my child has special health care needs?
A: Children with special health problems may need other restraint systems. Talk
about this with your pediatrician. Easter Seals, Inc has car safety seat
programs for children with special health care needs. More information is
available from Easter Seals, Inc at 800/221-6827. You also can learn more about
transporting children with special needs by calling the Automotive Safety
Program at 317/274-2977 or by visiting its Web site at
www.preventinjury.org. For more
information and a list of car safety seats available for children with special
needs, see the AAP brochure, Safe Transportation of Children With Special Needs:
A Guide for Families.
Q: What if my car has air bags?
A: All new cars come equipped with air bags. When used with seat belts, air bags
work very well to protect older children and adults. However, air bags are very
dangerous to children riding in rear-facing car safety seats and to child
passengers who are not properly positioned. If your car has a passenger air bag,
infants in rear-facing seats must ride in the back seat. Even in a low-speed
crash, the air bag can inflate, strike the car safety seat, and cause serious
brain and neck injury and death.
Toddlers who ride in forward-facing car safety seats
also are at risk from air bag injuries. All children up to age 13 years are
safest in the back seat. If you must put an older child in the front seat, slide
the vehicle seat back as far as it will go. Make sure your child is properly
restrained for his age and size and stays in the proper position at all times.
This will help prevent the air bag from striking your child.
Air bag on/off switches are available in the few cases
in which an infant must ride in the front seat. Most families don't need to use
the air bag on/off switch. Air bags that are turned off cannot protect other
passengers riding in the front seat. Air bag on/off switches only should be used
if all of the following are true:
- Your child has special heath care needs.
- Your pediatrician recommends constant supervision of
your child during travel.
- No other adult can ride in the back seat with your
child.
On/off switches also must be used if you have a vehicle
with no back seat or a back seat that is not made for passengers.
Q: What if my car has side air bags?
A: Side air bags improve safety for adults in side impact crashes. However,
children who are seated near a side air bag may be at risk for serious injury.
Read your vehicle owner's manual for recommendations that apply to your vehicle.
Q: What if my car only has lap belts in the back seat?
A: Lap belts work fine with infant-only, convertible, and forward-facing car
safety seats. They cannot be used with booster seats, and they are not the
safest way to buckle older children. If your car only has lap belts, use a
forward-facing car safety seat with a
harness and higher weight limits. Other options are
- Check with a car dealer or the manufacturer of your
car to see if shoulder belts can be installed.
- Use a travel vest (some can be used with lap belts).
- Consider buying another car with lap and shoulder
belts in the back seat.
Q. What if I drive more children than can be buckled
safely in the back seat?
A: Avoid having to drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back
seat, especially if your car has passenger air bags. However, if necessary, a
child in a forward facing car safety seat with a harness may be the best choice
to ride in the front seat. This is because a child who is in a booster seat or
using a regular seat belt can easily move out of position and be at greater risk
for injuries from the air bag.
Q: Can I use a car safety seat on an airplane?
A: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that when
flying, children should be securely fastened in car safety seats until 4 years
of age, and then should be secured with the airplane seat belts. This will help
keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Most infant,
convertible, and forward-facing seats are certified to be used on airplanes.
Booster seats and travel vests are not certified to be used on airplanes. Check
the label on your car safety seat and call the car safety seat manufacturer
before you travel to be sure your seat meets current FAA regulations.
Q: Can I use a car safety seat that was in a crash?
A: If the car safety seat was in a moderate or severe crash, it needs to be
replaced. If the crash was minor, the seat does not automatically need to be
replaced. A crash is considered minor if all of the following are true:
- The vehicle could be driven away from the crash.
- The vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was
not damaged.
- No one in the vehicle was injured.
- The air bags did not go off.
- You can't see any damage to the car safety seat.
If you are unsure, call the manufacturer of the seat.
See the resource section for manufacturer names and phone numbers.
Q: What about using a used car safety seat?
A: Avoid using used car safety seats, especially if obtained from a yard sale or
secondhand (consignment) shop because there is no way to know the seat's
history. Also never use a car safety seat that
- Is too old. Look on the label for the date it was
made. Do not use seats that are more than 10 years old. Many manufacturers
recommend that car safety seats only be used for 5 to 6 years from the date of
manufacture. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long the company
recommends using its seat.
- Has any visible cracks in the frame of the seat.
- Does not have a label with the date of manufacture
and model number. Without these, you cannot check to see if the seat has been
recalled.
- Does not come with instructions. You need them to
know how to use the seat. You can get a copy of the instruction manual by
contacting the manufacturer.
- Is missing parts. Used car safety seats often come
without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get
the right parts.
- Is a shield booster. Although shield boosters are
still around, the AAP recommends against their use. Major injuries have
occurred to children in shield boosters. The only time shield boosters should
be used is if the shield is removed and the seat is used with a lap and
shoulder belt. (See "Booster seats" on page 8.)
- Was recalled. You can find out by calling the
manufacturer or by contacting the following:
- Auto Safety Hot Line: Toll-free: 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236), from 8:00 am
to 10:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm
If the seat has been recalled, be sure to follow the
instructions to fix it or to get the parts you need. You also may get a
registration card for future recall notices from the hotline.
|
Don't leave your child unattended in a car
safety seat
Children should never be left alone in a car
whether they are in their car safety seats or not. Any of the following
can happen when a child is left alone in a vehicle:
- Temperatures can reach deadly levels in
minutes, and the child can die of heat stroke.
- He can be strangled by power windows,
sunroofs, or accessories.
- He can be taken during a car theft or
kidnapped from the vehicle.
- He can knock the vehicle into gear, setting
it in motion.
Don't leave your baby unattended in a car
safety seat outside of the vehicle either. When your baby falls asleep
in her car safety seat, it can be tempting to bring her inside and leave
her alone in the seat, but this can be unsafe. Your baby can fall out of
the seat, or the seat can fall over. And remember, placing the car
safety seat on a shopping cart is unsafe too. The best place for your
baby to sleep is on her back in a safe crib.
|
|
Always
read and follow manufacturer's instructions
If you do not have the manufacturer's instructions for
your car safety seat, write or call the company's customer service department. A
representative will ask you for the model number, name of seat, and date of
manufacture. The manufacturer's address and phone number are on the label on the
seat.
All products listed on the following pages meet Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 as of the date of publication. There may be
car safety seats available that are not listed in this brochure. The following
information is current as of the date of publication. Before buying a car safety
seat, check the manufacturer's instructions for important safety information
about proper fitting and use.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is
not a testing or standard-setting organization, this guide sets forth the AAP
recommendations based on the peer-reviewed literature available at the time of
its publication, and sets forth some of the factors that parents should consider
before selecting and using a car safety seat. The appearance of the name
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not constitute a guarantee or
endorsement of the products listed or the claims made. Phone numbers and Web
site addresses are as current as possible, but may change at any time. Prices
are approximate and may vary. The information contained in this publication
should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your
pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may
recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Manufacturers names
are boldfaced.
|
Infant-only seats |
| Name |
Harness Type |
Rear-Facing
Weight Limits |
Height Limits |
Price |
Baby Trend Latch-Loc
Adjustable Back |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
28 1/2" |
$80 |
| Britax Baby Safe |
5-point |
4-22 pounds |
30" |
$299.00 |
| Britax Companion |
5-point |
4-22 pounds |
30" |
$169.99 |
| Chicco Key Fit Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
4-22 pounds |
30" |
$140 |
| COMBI Centre/ST/DX/EX |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$89-$99 |
| COMBI Connection |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$199.99 |
| COMBI Tyro Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
22 pounds |
29" |
$129-$149 |
| Compass Baby I400 LP Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
4-22 pounds |
30" |
$100-140 |
| Cosco Arriva |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$40 |
| Eddie Bauer Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$90-$100 |
| Eddie Bauer Comfort Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$100 |
| Evenflo Discovery |
3-point |
5-22 pounds |
28" |
$50-$60 |
| Evenflo Embrace |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
28" |
$60-$90 |
| Graco Infant Safe Seat |
5-point |
5-30 pounds |
32" |
$129-$169 |
| Graco SnugRide |
3-point
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$69-$120 |
| Peg Perego Primo Viaggio |
5-point |
22 pounds |
30" |
$179-$199 |
| Safety 1st Designer 22 |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$60-$80 |
| Safety 1st First Ride DX |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$50 |
| Safety 1st Starter |
5-point |
5-22 pounds |
29" |
$60 |
|
Convertible seats |
| Name |
Harness Type |
Rear-Facing
Weight Limits/
Height Limits |
Forward-Facing
Weight Limits/
Height Limits |
Price |
| Britax Boulevard |
5-point |
5-33 pounds |
20-65 pounds
27" - 49" |
$289.99 |
| Britax Decathlon |
5-point |
5-33 pounds |
20-65 pounds
27" - 49" |
$269.99 |
| Britax Roundabout with Latch |
5-point |
5-33 pounds |
20-40 pounds
27"-40" |
$199.99 |
| Britax Marathon |
5-point |
5-33 pounds |
20-65 pounds
27"-49" |
$249.99 |
| COMBI Avatar |
5-point |
5-30 pounds |
20-40 pounds |
$179-$199 |
Cosco Alpha Omega
(rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
|
5-35 pounds
and 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" with harness;
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$140 |
Cosco Alpha Omega Elite
(rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point |
5-35 pounds and 36" |
20-40 pounds and 40" with harness;
30-100 pounds and 52" as booster |
$150-$160 |
| Cosco Scenera/DX |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-35 pounds and 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" |
$50-$70 |
| Cosco Touriva/Regal Ride |
5-point
|
5-35 pounds and 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" |
$40-$70 |
| Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 (rear-facing,
forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point |
5-35 pounds and 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" with harness;
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$170 |
| Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 Convertible
Car Seat (rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-35 pounds and 36" |
20-40 pounds and 40" with harness
30-100 pounds and 52"as booster |
$170-$180 |
| Evenflo Titan 5 |
5-point
|
5-30 pounds |
20-40 pounds |
$60-$70 |
| Evenflo Tribute 5/DLX |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-30 pounds |
20-40 pounds |
$50-$60 |
| Evenflo Triumph 5/DLX |
5-point |
5-30 pounds |
20-40 pounds |
$120-$140 |
| Graco ComfortSport |
5-point
|
30 pounds |
20-40 pounds and 40" |
$69-$120 |
| Lenox TattleTale Smart Child Seat |
5-point |
5-33 pounds
19"-32" |
20-40 pounds and 29"-40" |
$209-$259 |
| Safety 1st Enspira (rear-facing,
forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
|
5-35 pounds 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" with harness
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$100 |
| Safety 1st Intera |
5-point |
5-35 pounds 36" |
22-40 pounds and 43" with harness
40-100 pounds and 57" as booster |
$140 |
| Sunshine Kids Radian Car Seat
|
5-point |
5-33 pounds |
65 pounds and 49" |
$199 |
| Tripleplay Products Sit n' Stroll |
5-point |
5-30 pounds |
20-40 pounds |
$200 |
| Combination
seats |
| (Can be used with
5-point harness or as belt-positioning booster.) |
| Name |
Weight Limits/
Height Limits
With Harness |
Weight Limits/
Height Limits as
Belt Positioner |
Price |
| Cosco High Back Booster |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-80 pounds
52" |
$50 |
| Cosco Summit |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-100 pounds
52" |
$90-$100 |
| Cosco Ventura DX |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-80 pounds
52" |
$60 |
| Eddie Bauer Comfort High Back Booster, Deluxe |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-100 pounds
52" |
$80-$120 |
| Eddie Bauer High Back Booster |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-80 pounds
52" |
$80 |
| Evenflo Express, Chase, Traditions, Vision |
20-40 pounds |
30-100 pounds
54" |
$50-$70 |
| Evenflo Generations, Bolero |
20-40 pounds |
30-100 pounds
57" |
$70-$100 |
| Graco Platinum/Treasured/Ultra CarGo |
20-40 pounds
27"-43" |
30-100 pounds
35"-54" |
$69-$99 |
| Lenox TattleTale Smart Child seat |
20-40 pounds
29"-40" |
40-80 pounds
35"-57" |
$259 |
| Recaro Young Sport |
18-40 pounds
27"-40" |
30-80 pounds
37"-59" |
$249 |
| Safety 1st Apex 65 |
20-65 pounds
52" |
40-100 pounds
57" |
$130 |
| Safety 1st Vantage Point, Surveyor |
22-40 pounds
43" |
40-100 pounds
52" |
$70-$80 |
|
Forward-facing seats/restraints |
| Name |
Harness Type |
Weight Limits |
Height Limits |
Price |
| Britax Regent |
5-point |
22-80 pounds |
19"-53" |
$239.99 |
| Graco Toddler Safe Seat |
5-point |
20-40 pounds |
27"-43" |
$129-$169 |
| SafeGuard Child Seat |
5-point |
22-65 pounds |
57" |
$429 |
| Booster
seats |
| Name |
Type |
Weight Limits |
Height Limits
(when available) |
Price |
| Baby Trend Recaro |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
37"-59" |
$349 |
| Britax Bodyguard |
High back |
40-100 pounds |
43"-60" |
$129.99 |
| Britax Parkway Booster |
High back |
30-100 pounds |
38"-60" |
$99.99 |
| Britax Starriser Comfy |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
33"-53" |
$89.99 |
| COMBI Dakota |
Backless |
33-100 pounds |
33"-57" |
$39-$59 |
| COMBI Kobuk |
High back |
33-100 pounds |
33"-57" |
$79-$89 |
| Compass Baby B500LP Folding Booster
Car Seat |
High back |
30-100 pounds |
38"-57" |
$75-$90 |
| Cosco High Rise, Ambassador |
Backless |
30-100 pounds |
57" |
$15-$20 |
| Cosco Protek |
High back
Backless |
30-100 pounds |
57" |
$30-$40 |
| Cosco Select Ride |
High back |
40-80 pounds |
52" |
$30 |
| Cosco Traveler |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
52" |
$20 |
| Cosco Voyager |
High back |
40-80 pounds |
52" |
$20-$25 |
| Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe/LX, Everest |
High back
Backless |
30-100 pounds
40-100 pounds |
57" |
$40-$80 |
| Evenflo Big Kid No Back |
Backless |
40-100 pounds |
57" |
$15 |
| Evenflo Sightseer/Barbie/Hot Wheels |
High back |
30-100 pounds |
37"-54" |
$30-$40 |
| Graco My CarGo |
High back |
30-100 pounds |
35"-54" |
$40 |
| Graco TurboBooster |
High back
Backless |
30-100 pounds
40-100 pounds |
38"-57"
40"-57" |
$50-$80
$20 |
| LaRoche Grizzly Bear Booster |
High back |
40-100 pounds |
36"-57" |
$119 |
| LaRoche Polar Bear Booster |
High back |
30-100 pounds |
33"-57" |
$129 |
| LaRoche Teddy Bear Booster |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
33"-54" |
$109 |
| Recaro Start |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
59" |
$349 |
| Recaro Young Style |
High back |
30-80 pounds |
59" |
$149 |
| Safety Angel Ride Ryte |
High back
Backless |
30-100 pounds
40-100 pounds |
33"-54" |
$70-$75
$45-$48 |
| Travel
vests |
| Name |
Weight Limits/Age Limits |
Price |
| E-Z-On Vest |
20-168 pounds |
$120 |
| E-Z-On Modified Vest |
20-100 pounds
2-12 years of age |
$120-$140 |
| E-Z-On 86Y Harness |
66-168 pounds |
$60-$80 |
E-Z-On Kid Y Harness
(must be used with the Ride Ryte booster) |
30-80 pounds |
$48-$52 |
| RideSafer Travel Vest |
35-60 pounds small vest (3-6 years)
50-80 pounds large vest (5-9 years) |
$99.99 |
| Safety 1st Tote 'n Go DX |
25-40 pounds with harness |
$20 |
| Built-in (integrated)
seats |
|
Built-in or integrated child safety seats are
available on selected models from some motor vehicle manufacturers. Check
with the manufacturers for specifics.
|
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is
not a testing or standard setting organization, this guide sets forth the AAP
recommendations based on the peer-reviewed literature available at the time of
its publication, and sets forth some of the factors that parents should consider
before selecting and using a car safety seat.
The appearance of the name American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not
constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the products listed or the claims made.
Phone numbers and Web site addresses are as current as possible, but may change
at any time.
Prices are approximate and may vary.
The information contained in this publication should not be used as a
substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be
variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual
facts and circumstances.
|