At what age can a baby sit in a car seat?
2 Answers
A baby should not sit in a car seat until at least six months old. The details are as follows: 1. Babies under six months old have not yet developed sufficient bone structure, and their back muscles lack the necessary support. Sitting in a car seat at this stage could cause harm to the baby. 2. Child car seats are generally designed for children under eight years old or weighing less than 36 kilograms. The purpose of a car seat is to provide better protection for the baby. However, car seats should be selected according to the child's age. For babies under one year old, a rear-facing infant carrier is recommended. For babies aged one to three, a full-coverage car seat should be used. For children over three years old, a harness-type car seat is the best option.
Both of my kids grew up using car seats from an early age. How old should a baby be before they can ride in one? The answer is: from zero months old! Yes, you heard that right—newborns can ride in a specially designed rear-facing infant car seat from the day they are born. When I was raising my own kids, I encountered many hesitant parents who thought their child was too young, delaying this critical safety period. In reality, car seats are designed to protect a baby’s fragile body, especially when rear-facing, as it absorbs collision forces and reduces the risk of spinal injury. It’s generally recommended to use a rear-facing seat from birth up to around 1 year old, with a weight limit of about 13 kg, and then check the seat’s instructions to switch to forward-facing around age 1. But remember, the longer you keep them rear-facing, the safer they are. I also reminded my neighbor not to be careless during installation—the harness straps should fit snugly against the baby’s chest, not too loose. A car seat isn’t just decoration; it’s a lifesaving tool!
