How many months old can a baby sit in a car seat?
3 Answers
Generally speaking, babies should be at least six months old before they can sit in a car seat. Here are the relevant details: 1. The reason for 6 months: Babies under six months old have not yet developed their bones to a certain extent, and the support strength of their back muscles is also very weak. At this stage, placing them in a car seat could potentially cause harm to the baby. 2. Age stages for child car seats: Child car seats are typically designed for children under eight years old or weighing less than 36 kilograms. Of course, this is not a strict rule, as car seats do provide better safety for babies. However, car seats should be selected based on the child's age. For babies under one year old, a rear-facing infant car seat (or bassinet-style seat) should be chosen. For children aged one to three years, a fully enclosed car seat is recommended. For children over three years old, it is best to use an enclosed car seat.
My baby cried a lot during the first car seat ride at three months old, and I later learned that newborns' spines are as soft as tofu. They can't sit comfortably until five or six months when their necks become stronger. The doctor specifically advised me to buy a rear-facing infant car seat, which should be used until at least 1.5 years old, and never switched to forward-facing before reaching 9 kg in weight. Remember to choose a model with a newborn insert, and the shoulder straps should pass below the shoulders, otherwise, the baby might fly out like a little cannonball during sudden braking. When removing and washing the fabric cover weekly, check if the seatbelt buckle is stuck by milk stains—safety is something you really can't take lightly.
During the expert lecture at the maternal and child hospital, it was emphasized that newborns must use a carrycot-style safety seat when discharged from the hospital, and they should lie completely flat from 0 to 4 months. Only when the baby can lift their head, straighten their chest, and sit steadily should they switch to a regular model, which typically occurs between 4 to 7 months. Last month, there was a car accident in the neighborhood where a 6-month-old baby only suffered minor injuries because they were seated in a rear-facing car seat. When purchasing a car seat, don’t just go for the cheapest option; choose one with ECE R44/04 or i-Size certification.
