Auto Safety (continued)

However, many of the convertible seats on the market allow a child to remain rear-facing up to 30 to 35 pounds (14 to 16 kilograms). It is recommended that you use the seat rear-facing as long as the instructions allow.

Convertible seats are heavy and not very portable. Yet they can be economical because it may not be necessary to buy a separate infant-only seat. It is also a good option for larger babies who outgrow their infant-only seat before 1 year and still need to be rear facing.

If using a convertible seat, make sure it fits your child correctly — a small child in a large seat may not be the best option. Models with tray shields should not be used for newborns — the shield comes up too high on them, and in a crash, the baby's face could hit the tray.

How to Install a Convertible Seat

An infant or small toddler should be placed in the back seat — preferably in the middle — and must be facing toward the rear of the vehicle until at least 20 pounds (10 kilograms) and at least 1 year old.

• After your child has reached at least 20 pounds (10 kilograms) and at least 1 year of age, the seat may be turned to face forward. (Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for when to turn the seat.)
• Read the owner's manual for your car to find out how to use your car's seat belts or LATCH system with a child safety seat.
• Read the entire child safety seat manual. Be sure to check the recommended angle of recline for the seat when it is forward-facing and rear-facing.
• Use your knee to push down on the seat as you tighten the car's seat belt (may be a lap-only or lap/shoulder) or LATCH attachments belt through the child safety seat's belt path. The seat should not move more than 1 inch (3 centimeters) side to side or forward and backward on the belt path. If the seat wiggles or moves on the belt path, the belt needs to be tighter.
• Some seat belts may require a special locking clip that is designed specifically to keep the belt from loosening. Locking clips are available from baby product stores, safety seat manufacturers, and some car dealerships.
• Be sure to check the tightness of the safety seat before each use.

How to harness your child:

Infants (up to 1 year AND 20 pounds):

• Read the entire child safety seat manual.
• Shoulder straps should be threaded through the lowest harness slots to best protect your baby. They should be at or below your baby's shoulder.
• Convertible seats usually have one of three harness options: the 5-point harness, the tray shield, and the T-shield. The 5-point harness offers the best protection of the three for infants because it can tighten to fit snugly and does not obstruct a baby's head — both of the other harness options can cover a baby's face and are not recommended for infants under 20 pounds (10 kilograms) or 1 year old.
• All straps should fit snugly, especially over the shoulder and thigh areas. Straps should always lie flat, never twisted. If you can pinch any harness webbing between your fingers, it's too loose.
• Dress your baby in clothes that keep the legs free. This will allow you to buckle the latch crotch strap properly between the baby's legs. If it is cold outside, harness your baby first and then cover him or her with a blanket. Never buckle a blanket under the seat straps.
• If your baby slouches to one side or the other in the seat (common among newborns), place rolled-up cloth diapers or rolled hand towels on each side of the shoulders. There are supports specially designed for car seats, but only use them if they came manufactured with your safety seat. Never place any kind of padding or blanket under your baby — this can affect the harness's ability to restrain your little one.
• If your baby's head flops forward (also common among newborns), check the angle of the seat. Use a towel or blanket to tilt the seat back slightly (a 30- to 45-degree angle is best).

Toddlers (older than 1 year AND between 20 to 40 pounds):

• Read the entire child safety seat manual.
• Shoulder straps should be threaded through the top harness slots of a convertible seat or any one of the harness slots in a forward-only facing seat to accommodate your child's new height. They should be at or above your child's shoulder level.
• Convertible seats usually have one of three harness options: the 5-point harness, the T-shield, and the tray shield. If a child's head and neck clear the top of a T-shield or tray shield, all of these harness styles are OK. But for the best protection from head injury, the 5-point harness is recommended.
• All straps should fit snugly, especially over the shoulder and thigh areas. Straps should always lie flat, never twisted. If you can pinch any harness webbing between your fingers, it's too loose.
  
• Dress your child in clothes that keep the legs free. This will allow you to buckle the crotch strap properly between your child's legs. If it is cold outside, harness your child first and then cover him or her with a blanket. Never buckle a blanket under the seat straps.
• Be sure to readjust harness straps as your child grows. Heavy clothing (such as a puffy winter coat) should always be placed over your child after being harnessed in the seat. (A tip: After your child is harnessed in the seat, slip his or her coat on backward for warmth.)

Forward-Facing Only Seats (20-40 pounds)

Forward-facing car seats are designed to protect children from 20 to 40 pounds (about 10 to 20 kilograms) or more, depending on the model. If you used an infant-only car seat, you can switch to a forward-facing model when your child is at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Kids should stay in a car seat with full harness until they are at least 4 years old before switching to a booster seat.

Combination car seats are also available that allow you to remove the harness to switch from forward- facing child safety seat to belt-positioning booster seat. Refer to the forward-facing convertible seat for toddlers information to review proper installation of forward-facing car seats and how to harness your child.