How to Select A Car Seat - Timeline Video

[TXxDuskxXH]

wow then... i've been rideing shotgun since i was 4...

[BabyPages1]

good stuff. thank you for sharing.

[kiddlyjesus3000]

i have heard from some parents they keep their kids facing backwards until they are 3 years old it weird thing but some say it safer that way lol

[brttbrry]

hey guys. i have been watching you guys' videos all night and I think they are great. but with this video, i found one thing very strange to me. You said the child can leave the booster seat at 4ft. 9 in. That is extremely tall to be in a car seat to me. I am 6ft. 0" and if I have a child (got one on the way my first one) and he or she is only a foot shorter than I, the child should already be paying attention to my driving techniques and safety, and not in a car seat.

[americathinks1]

Yes I have a chicco travel sistem and I like it 

[DadLabs]

@americathinks1 Cool. Glad that is working out for you.

[luv2bfishin]

Fun video guys, but I wouldn't stress the "graduation" from seat to seat as a big plus. The safest seat is when they're in the rear facing infant seat. As they progess to eventual front facing boosters or beyond, they increase the odds of injury. Even adults would be safer riding rearfacing. Keep in mind a young childs head is approx 25% of their body weight, versus an adults head at 6%. The forward thrust of a frontfacing childs head could cause severe neck injuries.

[DadLabs]

@luv2bfishin Very true. Parents need to resist the temptation to change from rear facing, or to think of this as "progress." It's not like learning to walk or talk, not a good idea to try to accelerate this.

Thanks for the comment.

[Teddi081]

Of course there are a weight limit on the car seats. But if the limit is 55 Ibs like here in Sweden most 4-5 year old children can use them RF and therefore the age is the most important.

[DadLabs]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Teddi081]

Why don't you mention ages? The most important thing is not to put a child under the age of 4 front facing in a car! Here were I live its strongly recommended to keep children rear facing until they are 4-5 years old. There are rear facing car seats which allows a maximum weight of 55 Ibs. My 5-year old is rear facing.

[DadLabs]

Most of the info we've seen about car seats is based on weight rather than age. Car seats are rated on weight generally. Although development (muscle tone and bone density) play a part here, weight is what drives the physics.

[anjomi1986]

Pretty good job guys! I wish you would have mentioned one thing: most convertibles are to big for newborns cause the lowest slots will still sit above their shoulders. And when rearfacing the straps should always be at or below their shoulders.

but really I think you did a great job!

[DadLabs]

Well, at least it's in the comments now! Good point.  We have a brand new video on car seats out today. You should sub us!

[Eclipsepearl]

Good pushing the rear-facing but I wish they wouldn't promote the infant bucket-style seats so much. I hate to see parents carrying those around. Too much time in that position is not good for them. I could EASILY slide my sleeping babies in and out of the car seat with my sling and kept the seat in the car. Please note to NEVER place infant seats on top of shopping carts (dangerous as they can easily fall).

[DadLabs]

Good point. The downside of these systems that allow the baby to go from carseat to stroller -- too much time in one position. Have there been any studies of this?

[kastnmagic]

Google "Flat Head Syndrome" and you'll find some interesting information regarding this. SLINGS are what I used with my babies and toddlers 15 and 18 yrs ago... I HIGHLY recommend keeping that baby nice and close....

[Eclipsepearl]

I totally agree. I used my sling till 3 years of age. Saved my back and arms!

Tons of surveys have been done on this. Also, there is concern about oxygen levels in newborns too long in this position. Preemies are tested for this.

[HEVYNNLY]

They must be married to techs ; )

But seriously, TOTALLY AWESOME!

[zachsblondie69]

its sayed not to keep a child rear faceing till 2yrs now because its so much safter for a child

[PapoosesCPST]

"You can BETTER" -- love it! I will be sure to share this video with the dads in my safety workshops :)

Signed, a Child Passenger Safety Technician in upstate NY

[Dragonflyby73]

Love it! "You can do better" is my favourite line. I also like how you really stressed keeping your child in the seat until the maximum weight allowed.

Jacqui - CRST in Canada

[CarSeatPoncho]

Excellent video -- hits all the important points. I wish I had seen this when my child was due!

[CarSeatSite]

Informed dads--yay! Great job, guys!

Heather, CPST-I

[lovinwaves]

Awesome video!  Great seat choices, and I love how you said, "You can do BETTER!" Kudos for mentioning that children should remain rear-facing till the limits of their convertible. My 3 and 4 year old are still rear-facing.

Signed,

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician

&

Child Safety Advocate.

[KatMomof3]

the other reason you want the infant seat first is torso height.

the bottom position for the straps to come out are 10" high on most convertibles, where as they are 5-7" high on infant seats.

rearfacing, the straps need to come from at or below the shoulders, so infant seats tend to fit newborns better.