Toggle navigation
Steel City South Pediatrics
3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15227(412) 885-2000

Fax: (412) 885-5641

New Patients are Welcome
We accept Most Insurances

  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Twitter

Request an Appointment

Log Into Patient Portal

Steel City South Peds Telemedicine

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education Library
  • Apply Now

FAQs About Car Seats and Recommendations

  • Blog Home
  • Child+Safety
  • FAQs About Car Seats and Recommendations

FAQs About Car Seats and Recommendations

By Steel City South Pediatrics
August 06, 2019
Category: Child Safety
Tags: Car Seats  

Kids may complain about being restrained in the car, but car seats and booster seats save lives. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that using a car or booster seat in a passenger car reduces the risk of fatal injury 71 percent in children younger than 1 and 54 percent in toddlers ages 1 to 4. The statistics are just as impressive for older kids.

What type of seat should I use for my child?

Infants and toddlers should ride in rear-facing seats until they reach the highest weight or height recommended by the manufacturer. In the past, children were routinely removed from rear-facing seats when they were 2, even if they didn't meet height or weight limits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently changed their guidelines and now recommend that kids remain in the seats as long as possible.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers who have reached the maximum height or weight limits for rear-facing seats should use forward-facing car seats. Again, the seats should be used until the child reaches the maximum height and weight recommendations.

Once kids are too tall or heavy for car seats, they will transition to booster seats. Booster seats should be used until children are 4'9" tall and 8 to 12 years old. Older children can begin using seat belts at that point but should sit in the back seat when possible, particularly if they're younger than 13.

How can I tell if the car seat is installed correctly?

Both car and booster seats should be securely fashioned with a latch system or seat belt. If the seat moves back and forth freely, it's not installed correctly. Properly installed seats should move no more than an inch in any direction.

My child's legs seem too long for the car seat. What should I do?

You may wonder if your child should move up to the next seat or a booster seat if your child's feet touch the back of car seat. As long as your child is shorter than the maximum height for the seat, he or she should remain in the current seat.

Should my child use a secondhand car seat?

Passing a seat down to your next child can be a good idea if your children are only a few years apart in age. Before you reuse a seat for a younger child, make sure that it hasn't expired or been recalled since you bought it. Throw away car and booster seats after accidents, even minor ones. The seat may look perfectly fine but may be damaged internally.

Buying secondhand car seats online or at yard sales should be avoided. You won't necessarily know if the seat has been in an accident or if it has defective latches or restraints.

Using car seats consistently, whether you're going to the grocery store or taking a cross-country trip, can help your child avoid serious injuries due to traffic accidents. Talk to your child's pediatrician if you have questions about the seats.

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2022
      • August (1)
        • What Happens at Child Wellness Checkups?
      • July (2)
        • The Importance of Behavioral Health and Children
        • FAQs about Children's Nutrition
      • June (2)
        • Developmental & Behavioral Visits
        • Summer Safety Tips for Children
      • May (2)
        • Does My Child Have Anxiety?
        • The Importance of Children's Nutrition
      • April (2)
        • Helping Your Child Deal With Minor Illnesses or Injuries
        • Ear Infections in Children
      • March (2)
        • The Importance Of Well-Child Care Visits
        • Peanut Allergies in Children
      • February (2)
        • FAQs About the Pediatric COVID Vaccine
        • Know the Signs of Chickenpox
      • January (2)
        • When a Fever Requires Medical Attention
        • Does My Child Have a UTI?
  • 2021
      • December (2)
        • Your Infant and Constipation
        • Food Poisoning in Children
      • November (2)
        • Know the Warning Signs of Prediabetes
        • Does My Child Have a Concussion?
      • October (2)
        • Bike Safety for Your Child
        • Is Your Child Struggling With Potty Training?
      • September (2)
        • Cleft Lips and Cleft Palate
        • FAQs About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
      • August (2)
        • Your Baby and Cradle Cap
        • Does My Child Need Glasses?
      • July (1)
        • Your Child and the Importance of Vitamin D
      • June (3)
        • Preventing Pediatric Heat Stroke
        • What Is Pediatric Urinary Incontinence or Enuresis?
        • Keeping Up With Your Child's Immunization Schedule
      • May (2)
        • FAQs about Children's Nutrition
        • Symptoms Of Your Child's Ear Infection
      • April (1)
        • Know the Symptoms of Mononucleosis
      • March (2)
        • Bringing Your Child in for Whooping Cough
        • Your Pediatrician's Guide To Thumb-Sucking
      • February (3)
        • Head Lice And How To Treat It
        • When Does My Child Need Stitches?
        • Diabetes in Children
      • January (2)
        • When Should My Child Get a Tetanus Shot?
        • Keeping Your Child Safe While Traveling
  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • Does My Child Have a Broken Bone?
        • Signs of a Pediatric UTI
      • November (1)
        • Keeping Your Child Safe in the Car
      • October (3)
        • Your Child and Chicken Pox
        • Helping Your Child Live Well With Asthma
        • Conjunctivitis: What To Know
      • September (1)
        • Tips to Help Your Child Eat Healthier
      • August (2)
        • The Importance Of Preventive Care
        • Child Behavior Problems
      • July (3)
        • Make Sure Your Child Gets Their Regular Check-Ups
        • Seeking Help for Your Child's Sports Injuries
        • How To Brush Your Child's Teeth
      • June (2)
        • When To Get A Vision Test For Your Child
        • Signs That Your Child May Have Autism
      • May (2)
        • Signs of Tonsillitis
        • Signs Your Child Has ADHD
      • April (2)
        • Why Immunizations Are Important
        • Treating Warts
      • March (3)
        • Getting a Hearing Screening for Your Child
        • 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
        • Treating Your Child's Allergies
      • February (2)
        • Signs of Strep Throat
        • Diabetes and Your Child
      • January (2)
        • Managing Your Child's Asthma
        • Treating Your Child's Ear Infection
  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Dietary and Nutrition Guidance
      • November (2)
        • Dealing With Sports Injuries
        • How to Care for Your Newborn
      • October (3)
        • The Importance Of Regular Wellness Visits
        • Kids and Bedwetting
        • Signs of Appendicitis
      • September (2)
        • Kids and Sore Throats
        • Keep Your Kids Safe from Concussions
      • August (2)
        • Dealing With Your Child's Fever
        • FAQs About Car Seats and Recommendations
      • July (2)
        • Treating Mono in Your Child
        • What Happens During a Child Physical Exam?
      • June (2)
        • Treating Diabetes in Your Child
        • Treating Sports Injuries
      • May (2)
        • Mental Health Wellness and Your Child
        • What is Autism?
      • April (2)
        • Signs Your Child May Have the Flu
        • Proper Nutrition Habits
      • March (2)
        • Dealing With a Broken Bone
        • Dealing With Chickenpox
      • February (2)
        • Why Hearing Screenings Are Important For Your Child
        • What is Whooping Cough?
      • January (2)
        • Caring For Your Newborn
        • Does Your Child Have Vision Problems?
  • 2018
      • December (2)
        • Helping Your Child Manage a Healthy Weight
        • When To Take Your Child To Urgent Care
      • November (2)
        • The Importance of Immunizations
        • Cold Vs. Flu
      • October (2)
        • Common Sports Injuries and How Your Pediatrician Help
        • What to Expect at a Sports Physical
      • September (1)
        • Should My Child Have a Behavioral Consultation?
      • August (3)
        • When to Visit a Pediatrician
        • Types of Learning and Developmental Disabilities
        • What is Conjunctivitis?
      • July (2)
        • Signs Your Child May Have Asthma
        • The Importance of Well Child Visits
      • June (1)
        • The Importance of Nutrition in Your Child's Health
      • May (3)
        • What to Do When Your Child Has a Fever
        • Signs Your Child May Have Diabetes
        • Common Pediatric Eye Problems
      • April (1)
        • Does My Child Have a Cold?
      • March (3)
        • Baby Proofing Your Home
        • How to Stop a Nosebleed
        • Keeping Your Home Safe from Poisons
      • February (2)
        • Proper Hand Washing Methods
        • Appendicitis in Children
      • January (2)
        • Symptoms of Whooping Cough
        • Mono: Symptoms and Prevention
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Treating a Cut
        • Healthy Eating Options for Busy Families
      • November (2)
        • Parents: Protect Your Children from Burns
        • Does My Child Have a Vision Problem?
      • October (2)
        • Childhood Obesity: Helpful Tips for Parents of Overweight Children
        • When a Sore Throat Interrupts Your Child's Health
      • September (2)
        • How to Tell the Difference between Sinusitis and a Cold
        • Kids and Bedwetting: When Should I Be Concerned?
      • August (2)
        • How to Protect Kids from the Sun
        • Understanding Infant Jaundice
      • July (2)
        • How to Keep Germs At Bay and Illnesses Away
        • Fever Phobia? When Parents Should Call Their Pediatrician
      • June (2)
        • Introducing Solids: How to Transition from the Bottle to Spoon
        • Is Eczema Causing My Child's Rash?
      • May (1)
        • Understanding Childhood Asthma
      • April (2)
        • How to Help Your Teen Make Healthy Eating Choices
        • New Parents: How to Select the Right Crib for Your Baby
      • March (2)
        • Understanding Tonsillitis
        • Headaches and Children: Knowing When to Call the Pediatrician
      • February (3)
        • Does My Child Have a Food Allergy?
        • Hear This: Turning Down the Volume Now May Save Your Teen's Hearing in Adult Years
        • Diaper Rash: How to Soothe and Protect Your Baby's Bottom
      • January (2)
        • Fit Kids, Healthy Kids - How to Make Exercise a Way of Life
        • Battling Teenage Acne
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • How to Keep Injuries at Bay when Kids are at Play
      • November (3)
        • How to Avoid and Manage Dreaded Head Lice
        • Use Your Head: How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Concussions
        • Fighting Flu Season: How to Protect Your Family from the Influenza Virus
      • September (1)
        • Welcome Blog

Tags

  • Flu Prevention (1)
  • Sick Child (6)
  • Concussions (2)
  • Head Lice (2)
  • Playground Safety (1)
  • Teenage Acne (1)
  • Exercise (1)
  • Diaper Rash (1)
  • Hearing Loss (2)
  • Food Allergies (1)
  • Allergies (2)
  • Headaches (1)
  • Tonsillitis (2)
  • Crib (1)
  • Nutrition (6)
  • Asthma (4)
  • Eczema (1)
  • Baby Food (1)
  • Fever (4)
  • Germs (1)
  • Prevention (1)
  • Infant Jaundice (1)
  • Sun Safety (1)
  • Bedwetting (2)
  • Common Cold (1)
  • Sinusitis (1)
  • Sore Throats (2)
  • Childhood Obesity (1)
  • Vision (2)
  • Burns (1)
  • Healthy Eating (1)
  • Scrapes (1)
  • Minor Cuts (1)
  • Mono (3)
  • Whooping Cough (3)
  • Appendicitis (1)
  • Proper Hygiene (1)
  • Washing Hands (1)
  • Poisons (1)
  • Safety (1)
  • Nose Bleeds (1)
  • Baby Home (1)
  • Sick Children (1)
  • Eye Problems (1)
  • Diabetes (4)
  • Well Child Visits (1)
  • Pediatrician (5)
  • Conjunctivitis (2)
  • Pink Eye (2)
  • Learning Disabilities (1)
  • Child Care (6)
  • Behavior (1)
  • Behavioral Consultation (1)
  • Sports Physical (1)
  • Sports (2)
  • Sports Injuries (4)
  • Cold (1)
  • Flu (2)
  • Immunizations (3)
  • Vaccinations (1)
  • Urgent Care (1)
  • Weight (1)
  • Sight (1)
  • Newborn (2)
  • Newborn Care (2)
  • Hearing Screening (2)
  • Chickenpox (2)
  • Broken Bones (1)
  • Bone Fractures (1)
  • Autism (2)
  • Mental Health (1)
  • Physical Exam (1)
  • Car Seats (1)
  • Apendicitis (1)
  • Wellness Visits (1)
  • Ear Infection (2)
  • Strep Throat (1)
  • Allergy Treatment (1)
  • Warts (1)
  • ADHD (1)
  • Vision Test (1)
  • Brushing (1)
  • Injury (2)
  • Regular Check-ups (1)
  • Behavioral Issues (1)
  • Child Behavior (1)
  • Preventive Care (1)
  • Wellness Visit (1)
  • Healthier Food (1)
  • Healthy Diet (1)
  • Childhood Asthma (1)
  • Chicken Pox (1)
  • Child’s Car Seat (1)
  • Car Seat (1)
  • Urinary Tract Infection (1)
  • UTI (2)
  • Broken Bone (1)
  • Traveling (1)
  • Medications (1)
  • Vaccines (3)
  • Travel Insurance (1)
  • Social Distancing (1)
  • Tetanus Shot (1)
  • Stitches (1)
  • Thumb-Sucking (1)
  • Pacifier (1)
  • Pertussis (1)
  • Kissing Disease (1)
  • Mononucleosis (1)
  • Nutritional Advice (1)
  • Nutritional Needs (1)
  • Immunization Schedule (1)
  • Immunization (1)
  • Urinary Incontinence (1)
  • Enuresis (1)
  • Heat Stroke (1)
  • Heat Exhaustion (1)
  • Vitamin D (1)
  • Vitamin D Deficiency (1)
  • Glasses (1)
  • Vision Screenings (1)
  • Cradle Cap (1)
  • Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (1)
  • HFMD (1)
  • Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (1)
  • Cleft Lips (1)
  • Cleft Palate (1)
  • Potty Training (1)
  • Bike Safety (1)
  • Concussion (1)
  • Prediabetes (1)
  • Food Poisoning (1)
  • Constipation (1)
  • Urinary Tract Infections (1)
  • COVID Vaccine (1)
  • Peanut Allergy (1)
  • Well-Child Visit (1)
  • Ear Infections (1)
  • Illness (1)
  • Children's Nutrition (2)
  • Anxiety (1)
  • Summer Safety Tips (1)
  • Developmental Disorders (1)
  • Behavioral Disorders (1)
  • Behavioral Health (1)
  • Wellness Checkups (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Pediatric (18)
  • Child Healthcare (16)
  • Skin Care (2)
  • Pediatric Care (6)
  • Pediatric Health Care (3)
  • Child Care (26)
  • Children's Health (20)
  • Child Health Care (25)
  • Skin Condition (1)
  • Diet and Nutrition (3)
  • Child Safety (18)
  • Children's Oral Health (1)

Our Location

3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
(412) 885-2000

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Services
  • Patient Forms
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map
  • Doctor Portal