This post is sponsored but all opinions are my own.
Car seat guidelines are updating, and so are the seats themselves- stay informed, and see how Graco Car Seats stay current with regulations.
Car seats are a big deal. It’s absolutely vital to the health and safety of your children that they are safely restrained in a motor vehicle at all times. I really can’t say it enough- it’s really a matter of life and death. I’m sure you all remember being basically chucked into the back-seat of the family station wagon, but it’s not the car-seat dark ages any more. Child safety seats become safer every year, and guidelines evolve as we learn more about what is actually safe and appropriate for babies and children. For instance, when my youngest was a baby, the recommended age for turning a baby around in their car seat was much younger than it is now. We’ve learned that rear-facing as long as possible is best, and both safety guidelines and actual car seat design have moved to support this knowledge. Some states are requiring children stay rear-facing till 1 and some even 2. It used to be a guideline but many states are making it a law. I know that I did things differently with my teenager. He was like 60lbs when he was 5 and our booster seat had a limit of 45 so he was out of them by like 4. Now my almost 6 year has a Graco car seat that has a limit from 30lbs to 100lbs! He is only 45lbs so I think we have awhile. They even have seats that can last 10 years with one child, the only seat you will ever need for that child, the Graco 4ever.
It’s really important to understand the form and function of each kind of seat as well- a seat designed for rear-facing only won’t work as a forward-facing restraint, and booster seats are only for older children. You can get a good grasp of the right seat for your child’s age and size by looking at the car seat size and age guidelines developed by the government. Car seat manufacturers have met these updated guidelines by designing seats that keep pace with our understanding of the safest measures possible. Knowing the law for your state (or a state you may be traveling to) is also important. You can check for car seat safety laws by state to make sure you are in compliance.
If you need a new seat, or want to make sure your child is in the safest and most up-to-date, or even want to simply price-check and see what’s the safest and most affordable option, there are lots of different types of Graco car seats that will meet your needs on Diapers.com. I personally think it’s worth a look just to see what’s available. In my personal VERY STRONG opinion, a child safety car seat is the best investment you can make and car seat shopping can be affordable and easy online! Just do some research and you will be protecting your family. I know I’m in the car so frequently with my children, and I want to make sure they are as safe as I can get them.
What do you think of the new car seat laws? Did you do things differently with your older children?
I like checking the reviews for car seats. Safety is important to me. It’s good to check the facts. There have been many car seat recalls. I am glad they have new car seat laws. Kids should be kept safe in case of an accident.
I think the guidelines for child safety seats are definitely good my son is almost out of it pays out the proper age but not the proper height yet.
Car seats now are so much different than when my kids were little. Learning how to use the new ones for my granddaughter has been an experience!
This is great information and something all parents should read. Thank you for the tips.
This is a great starting point! When we first looked at car seats we thought that the rules were the same across the board. (found out to my surprise that isn’t the case) Here in Canada the car seat legislation can be different from the province to province. With the rules here now I would have been in a car seat until Grade 10! I wasn’t tall enough or weigh enough to go without. ha ha!!
Wow sounds like they are an ever changing process, I do not have any kids but will pass this along to my online friends who are parents so they know.
Thank you for keeping up with all of the car seat changes. I find it overwhelming and appreciate it when someone helps with the research.
I’m not sure I would be able to keep up with it all. So glad we don’t drive and we rely on subways and street cars around here. This is all so important for those who drive!
The car seats laws and recommendations have changed a lot since my girls were born just five years ago. We always used Graco and still do!
The car seats and laws have changed a lot since I was a kid! We don’t use the car much, as we have everything at walking distance, but I’m really glad we invested in a good car seat anyway. It’s so important to know the guidelines and have a safe car seat, so that when traveling, I don’t have to worry about my daughter’s safety.
I remember being placed in a car seat when I was little but with NO seatbelt! Times have surely changed – and for the better! I’ve used Graco products in the past for my boys because of their superior quality!
Such an important thing to pay attention to. It’s definitely important to invest in a nice, safe one.
I am so glad about the car seat law. The safety of our kids is really important.
It really pays off to be updated always after all it’s our children’s safety and security that’s at risk when car seat is concerned.
Car seat rules have changed so much since my youngest was born, and that was only 5 years ago. It is really important to stay up to date with car seat rules.
This is some great info!!!! When we were first car seat shopping we were def overwhelmed by all the different types and rules!
It is importatnt to know each state’s guidelines and laws. I know there was a big change for us when we moved from Ohio to Tennessee — the laws were quite different and our 7 year old had to go back into a car seat because of the differences.
I agree, carseat safety is so so important and often times parents are just not informed in the new updates to the guidelines. It’s important to share this with other parents. My little one is in a booster seat now.