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Pregnancy & ChildbirthWellness & PreventionTreatment & Care

Child Safety Seats

For Younger Infants
Birth to One Year Old and under 20 lbs.

Louisiana’s Child Passenger Safety Law states a child should remain rear-facing from birth to 1 year of age and until he reaches at least 20 pounds.

Type of seat: Infant seat or rear-facing convertible seat
Seat position: Rear-facing

  • A rear-facing car seat is in the back seat of the vehicle.
  • Harness straps are not twisted and are even with or below the infant’s shoulders.
  • Harness straps are snug so extra webbing at the shoulders can’t be pinched.
  • The chest clip is fastened at armpit level.
  • The seat is reclined to a 45-degree angle. A firmly rolled-up towel or foam noodle may help.
  • Never put an infant in a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle.

For Older Infants
Under One Year Old But Over 20 lbs.

Louisiana’s Child Passenger Safety Law states a child should remain rear-facing from birth to 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds.

Type of seat: Convertible
Seat position: Rear-facing

  • Convertible car seat is rear-facing in the back seat of the vehicle
  • A convertible safety seat with a higher rear-facing weight limit is used
  • Never to put an infant in the front seat with a passenger side air bag
  • Harness straps are not twisted and are even with or below the infant’s shoulders
  • Harness straps are snug so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulders
  • Chest clip is fastened at armpit level
  • Seat is reclined to a 45-degree angle – a firmly rolled-up towel or foam noodle may help

For Toddlers/ Preschoolers
Over One Year Old And 20-40 lbs.

Louisiana’s Child Passenger Safety Law states a child over 1 year old and weighing at least 20-40 pounds should ride forward-facing in a convertible or combination seat.

Type of seat: Convertible or combination seat (with an internal harness)
Seat position: Forward-facing

  • Harness straps are not twisted
  • Harness straps are in the upper reinforced slots (at or above shoulder level)
  • Harness straps are snug so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulders
  • Tether strap is used if car is equipped with tether position
  • Chest clip is fastened at armpit level
  • Car seat is in upright position

For Younger Children
Over 40 lbs. and Up to 80 lbs. and Up to 57” Tall

Louisiana’s Child Passenger Safety Law states a child weighing 40-60 pounds or at least 4-6 years old should ride in a belt positioning booster seat.

Type of seat: Belt positioning booster seat (backless or high backed)
Seat position: Forward-facing

  • Belt positioning booster seat must be used with both lap AND shoulder belt
  • Lap portion fits low and tight over hips and upper thighs
  • Shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and chest (not across the neck)
  • Child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the automobile seat

For Older Children
Six and Older and at Least 60 lbs.

Louisiana’s Child Passenger Safety Law states a child must be at least 6 years old or at least 60 pounds to use a vehicle lap-shoulder belt.

Type of seat:
Vehicle lap-shoulder belt

  • Lap portion fits low and tight over hips and upper thighs
  • Shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and the chest (not across the neck), and never under the arm or behind the back
  • Child’s legs are long enough that the knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat
  • Child sits all the way back against the seat and stays properly seated throughout the ride