BIG CHANGES IN AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS CAR SAFETY SEAT GUIDELINES

As parents, and as the health care providers for your children, their safety and well being is of utmost importance to us. A new policy statement has been made by the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding car seat safety. The policy states that:

1. Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear facing car seat until they are TWO years old or reach the weight and height limits for the car seat.
2. Children should sit in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the
weight and height limits for the car seat.
3. Use a booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches ( 57 inches ) tall and
are between 8 and 12 years of age, when regular seat belts are most
likely to fit properly.
While many parents are used to transitioning to forward-facing car seats once their babies are 12 months and 20 pounds, it is important to keep in mind that the AAP has long recommended that “for optimal protection,” toddlers stay rear-facing until they reach the limits of their car seat. The automatic transition to a booster seat at 4 years or 40 pounds has also not been an AAP recommendation lately, as they have said that kids should sit in a forward-facing car seat with a full harness as long as they fit, which is well after 40 pounds.
CHANGES TO THE GEORGIA BOOSTER SEAT LAW:
Effective July 1, 2011, children under age 8 must be properly secured in
an approved car seat or booster seat while riding in an automobile, van
or pickup truck. There can be a fine issued by police for not following this law.
http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/childpassengersafety/
Please read these recommendations carefully…We care about you too much and want to be sure you stay safe!!!! Have a great summer!

By Sharon Lebedin, CPNP, CFNP