When you’re out shopping for a car seat, it can be difficult to decide which side to put it on the car. It seems like such a small detail, but it can actually have a big impact on your child’s safety. In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each side and give you our recommendation as to which side is best for your baby.
How to Choose a Baby Car Seat
Baby car seats come in both rear- and forward-facing varieties. Forward-facing car seats are safer for infants who are closer to the ground, since they protect them better in a collision. However, some parents find that their child prefers being rear-facing so they can see out the window. Regardless of which position your baby is currently using, you should always choose a car seat that fits your child according to their age and weight. You should also take into account the car’s seating capacity and your child’s height and length.
Which Side of the Vehicle Should the Baby Car Seat Go On?
When it comes to car seats, the debate over which side to put your baby in can be a heated one. There are pros and cons to each side, so which should you go with? Here’s a look at the different sides of the seat and their respective benefits.
The Right Side:
For infants who are rear-facing, putting them on the right side of the car seat provides optimal protection from forward motion and collisions. The child’s head and torso are positioned below the level of the window, preventing them from being thrown out or into objects in front of the car. Plus, since most crashes happen in front of vehicles, placing your baby on this side decreases their risk of injury significantly.
One downside to putting a rear-facing infant on the right is that it can be difficult for parents to access them in an emergency. If you have limited leg room or need to get out of your car quickly, placing your baby on this side may not be ideal. Additionally, some parents find that their infants sometimes fall asleep while they’re driving; if they’re placed on the right side, they might become trapped between the seat and door if they doze off.
The Left Side:
When it comes to forward-facing infants (those less than 12 months old), there is some evidence that placing them on the left side may decrease their risk of injuries during a collision. This is because babies tend to move around more when seated facing away from traffic, and their bodies are positioned between the car and the traffic lane.
Additionally, placing a forward-facing infant on the left side can make it easier for parents to access them in an emergency. And, as mentioned before, if you have limited leg room or need to get out of your car quickly, this is a side that will work better for you.
The Bottom Line:
There are pros and cons to each side of the car seat debate, but ultimately it’s up to you which side your baby will be seated on. Ultimately, it’s important to choose a car seat that is appropriate for your child’s age and size, and that fits properly in your vehicle.
The Best Types of Baby Car Seats
There are basically three types of baby car seats: rear-facing, forward-facing, and convertible. Rear-facing is the safest option for your child because their head and body are restrained by the seat in a crash. If your child is too large for a rear-facing seat, they should be placed in a forward-facing seat until they outgrow it. Convertible seats can be used from birth through toddlerhood, but they are not appropriate for use in a adult’s car.
If you’re using a car seat that doesn’t have straps, make sure to secure it tightly to the vehicle’s seat belt anchor points or it could move during a crash. Avoid placing your child on a hot surface or in direct sunlight; these conditions can cause burns and heatstroke.
How to Install a Baby Car Seat
If you are wondering how to install a baby car seat, the answer is: It depends.
If your car has a rear-facing seat, then the baby should go in the backseat. If you have a forward-facing seat, then the baby should go in the front.
Here’s how to install a baby car seat on either side of your car:
1. Open your car door and remove any unnecessary items from inside the vehicle. This includes anything that may block your view while installing the car seat or interfering with its operation later.
2. Locate the child safety restraint manufacturer’s installation instructions for your specific model of vehicle and check them against what you see in this guide. Many models now come with printed installation instructions included with the product. If not, look online for detailed installation instructions specific to your car make and model (many can be found at www.aarp.org/parents). Note: The US Department of Transportation recommends that all child safety seats be installed using these instructions as a guideline only – always consult your vehicle owner’s manual for specific details about how to fasten and adjust each type of restraint device in your vehicle!
It is important to follow both sets of installation instructions equally – even if one set seems more complicated than the other!
3. Put on gloves if you need them and unplug any connectors or equipment that may get in the way during installation (this includes the car seat’s harness, if you are using one).
4. Locate the baby safety restraint and carefully place it in the vehicle so that its belt lies flat against your vehicle’s interior.
5. Make sure that both the belt and shoulder straps are properly tightened. If your car has an LATCH system (lower anchors and tethers for children), make sure the baby safety restraint is properly attached to the vehicle by following these instructions:
6. If your car does not have LATCH, you can still secure the baby safety restraint using a seatbelt. Pull the child safety restraint as close to the front of the seat as possible while still leaving enough room between it and the steering wheel for you to access the child’s buckle and release it. The child safety restraint should now be safely fastened in this position by means of either a seatbelt or LATCH system.
What to Do if Your Baby Won’t Fit in His or Her New Car Seat
If your baby won’t fit in his or her new car seat, there are a few things you can do. First, try placing the baby in the car seat backwards, so their head is facing the rear of the vehicle. If that still doesn’t work, you can try adjusting the straps to fit looser or using a booster seat if necessary. Finally, you can always check with your car manufacturer to see if there is an option for a larger car seat.
Conclusion
Having chosen the right car seat for your family, it’s time to think about where to place it in the vehicle. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to this question, as everyone’s car and seating configuration is different. That said, there are a few general guidelines that can help you make an informed decision.
First and foremost, always place the car seat in the rear of the vehicle. This is generally where most crashes occur, so it makes sense to place your child in a safer location as soon as possible after they are born.
Additionally, if you have another passenger in the backseat who is taller than average or heavier than average, position their car seat near the middle of the backseat instead of by your child’s feet.
Finally, if you plan on using a infant carrier with your car seat installed — either using a base or using straps to attach directly to your car’s restraint system — be sure to install it before placing your baby in their car seat.