The back-to-school season is in full swing. If you are a parent, then you probably also double as your child’s chauffeur. Between driving your kids to school, playdates and extracurricular activities, you may as well open your own driving service. But even if you spend more time in your care than you do in your home, you may not know an important fact about car seats.
There are two types of car seats for children: Rear-facing, and front-facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) used to recommend keeping children in a rear-facing seat until the age of two. But the academy has updated its recommendations, and they may affect your child.
A new policy about car seats
According to a recent policy statement, the AAP now advises that children remain in a rear-facing cart seat until they reach the highest weight or height that the seat accommodates. The academy removed its recommendation for a specific age. This means that a 20-month old may not need a rear-facing seat if she is past the seat’s recommended height and weight. Conversely, a three-year-old may still need a rear-facing seat if he is below the seat’s height and weight maximum.
Following guidelines means avoiding injuries
Car seats are crucial to protect children from injuries in car accidents. Because children’s bodies and brains are so fragile, a crash could be devastating to their physical and mental development. Car accidents can result in injuries, pain and suffering and protracted legal battles. No parent wants their child to experience such trauma. But with these new guidelines, parents are armed with important information to keep their children safe while in motor vehicles.