Car seats: we know they’re important for our baby’s safety but one trip down a shopping aisle filled with them, or scrolling through an online store, can be confusing and frustrating. The first car seat you’ll need after your child is born is rear facing, which is what’s recommended for infants and younger children. But what kind? How do you install it? How long do you keep using it? Why is rear facing best? What are the laws? Today, we’re going to talk it through: everything you need to know about selecting, installing and using a rear-facing car seat.

Joining the podcast for the conversation are parents Katie Pereira and Jessica Hetherington, as well as our expert, Katherine Hutka, President of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada. 

Key takeaways:

• Rear-facing car seats are safest in a crash because the seat cradles and protects the head, neck and spine.
• Not all car seats fit in all cars. When buying a rear-facing seat, check the fit of the seat in your car as well as the fit of your child in the seat.
• Buying, installing and using a rear-facing car seat is not simple. Don’t get discouraged! There are places to find credible information and support.

For more information on rear facing car seats and other child passenger safety information, visit parachute.ca.

Other sources of information:

• Child Safety Link – Child Safety Link is an IWK Health program that’s committed to reducing the rate and severity of unintentional injuries to children and youth in the Maritimes. Find information on car seats in multiple languages. 
• Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada – The Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada is a national, not-for-profit corporation that promotes child passenger safety through public education, advocacy and training.
• Car Seat Manufacturers – All car seat manufacturers provide information on their products. Check out their websites and manuals.
• Safe Beginnings – Safe Beginnings is a North American leader in baby and toddler safety courses, content and resources.

Popping the Bubble Wrap is a podcast of Parachute, Canada’s national injury prevention charity. We release episodes monthly. Visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Parachute Canada.

Popping the Bubble Wrap is produced by Story Studio Network.