What Car Seat is Best for My Child?

There are many different types and brands of car and booster seats on the market. The three main categories of car and booster seats include:

• Rear-facing car seat
• Forward-facing car seat
• Booster seat
  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that parents and caregivers choose a car or booster seat for their child based on the following criteria:

• Your child’s height and weight
• Your child’s age
• Car seats that fit best into your vehicle

It is recommended that your child use a booster seat through at least age 12, or until they can properly wear a seat belt without a booster seat. Once you have selected the right car or booster seat, it is important to install it correctly. At New Beginnings Pediatrics, we will help you to understand proper installation techniques and answer any questions you may have about your child’s safety on the road.

Ensuring that your child’s car seat is installed correctly is essential to keeping your little one safe on the road. Sadly, 7 out of 10 parents or caregivers improperly install car seats, which can lead to dangerous consequences. At New Beginnings Pediatrics, in partnership with Carilion Clinic Community Health Outreach, we are pleased to offer free virtual Car Seat Safety Checks to help you every step of the way. From car seat education to installation instructions, we will work together to ensure your child is safe when they are riding in the car.

For more information about one-on-one Car Seat Safety Checks and to schedule an online session in the Roanoke Valley, please contact Jill Lucas Drakeford at 540-981-8075 or jalucas@carilionclinic.org. In the New River Valley, contact Ashley Hash at (540) 731-2027, or amhash@carilionclinic.org. In Franklin County or Henry County contact Betty Robertson at 540-484-8569 or bmrobertson@carilionclinic.org.