Is the LATCH system safer than using the seat belt?

It is a common myth that the LATCH system is safer than the seat belt system. This is definitely not true. The LATCH system is just as safe as the seat belt system provided that the car seat can be installed properly. In fact, in many vehicles, the weight limit on the lower anchors is 40 lbs, while a seat belt can hold onto a 300 lb man. This means if you have a car seat that goes higher than 40 lbs, you will need to install with the seat belt system after your child is 40 lbs. This doesn't make the LATCH system seem so safe now, does it?

Edit: And never "borrow" the lower anchors- one from each side so that you can use the lower anchors in the center seating position. The lower anchors in the outboard seating positions are reinforced by a metal bar going across to each other. That reinforcement is NOT in the center seating position, so definitely don't follow the dangerous advice another responder gave you.

Anyhow, the center seating position is about 43% safer than the outboard seating positions in the back seat. Here is where that statistic came from: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facin...

A properly installed car seat is one that moves less than 1 inch side to side and front to back at the belt path. The belt path is the spot where either the seat belt or latch strap was threaded through.

And the only people qualfied to check a car seat is a child passenger safety technician (CPST). You can find one at http://www.seatcheck.org/ Your average police man will not know what he is doing- in fact, in many stations across the country have stopped giving car seat checks because they can be sued if something has happened to your child.

And how old is your baby? Infant car seats need to be installed at a 45 degree angle to keep your baby's airway open. It is dangerous when a baby's head flops forward- the 45 degree angle is to prevent that. (Never recline more than 45 degrees). When your baby has head and neck control (around 8-12 months old), then you can install their car seat at a more upright angle, as upright as 30 degrees.

Also, convertible car seats often times take less room than infant seats. If you need more room, I would recommend the Cosco Scenera. It costs $39 at Walmart and goes up to 35 lbs in the rear facing position and it fits newborns very well. (Convertible car seats can be used for newborns provided that the harness straps can be adjusted at or below baby's shoulders). You may need to use pool noodles or rolled up towels to even get a small recline for this convertible. (Place the pool noodles or rolled up towels in the vehicle seat bight, then rest the child seat on top of them to increase reclined).

My answer to this depends on what you will be doing. It is hard to be too safe with your children these days. I would plan ahead. So if you have others that will be riding in the car I would put the Car seat in the middle. The safety belt is safe. However, if you do not have people riding with you the more precaution to be used would be to use the LATCH system because most recent test have claimed it to be more safe. I have ten children and have always used the middle seat because of the convenience offered. So even if you use the middle seat I believe you will be fine.

Also, if you are using a car seat I came across this great gift code for a free car seat canopy they are normally around $60 but using this code the price completely goes to $0.00 To get your free car seat canopy go to www.carseatcanopy.com choose your canopy then when you check out apply the code "cute1" and you will pay nothing for the product. Hope this helps

Amy

LATCH+seat belt isn't cautioned. LATCH is maximum secure, this is least complicated to place in, yet try to be certain that your automobile is kitted out for it. so a procedures as i'm able to keep in mind, all vehicles for the reason that 2002 have it put in as common. you would recognize via working your hand in the back of the rear seat of your automobile (between the seat and the decrease back) or seek for holes interior the fabric. The LATCH is definitely 4 metallic 'loops' equipped at equivalent distances aside around the finished decrease back seat. A LATCH automobile seat will certainly have hooks that hook up with the loops and all you ought to do then is be certain that the cables are tightened and secured in accordance to the teachings. All of mine are LATCH (Isofix here in Europe, the two systems have compatibility, i offered them whilst residing interior the US then moved to the united kingdom) and the seats are great undemanding to place in and take out whilst the choose suits me. i might surely advise employing the LATCH equipment, it retains the seat firmly planted and is truly undemanding to apply.

What vehicle? Check your owners manual and make sure you can do a center install on a rear face seat. We used the seat belts for our seats, just have to pull all the way out till the belt 'locks' as it retracts. Check fit with a car seat tech. And when your lil one is older, FYI a convertible car seat takes up less room front to back than infant car seats. So you might be able to rear face a convertible seat for your toddler behind the passenger seat.

Call the local police department and ask to see a certified car seat technician. . There should be one at the fire or police department, and s/he should have the answer to your question and also help with proper installation.

if your car has one on each side, you should be able to put the baby in the middle still, using the one latch from each side. If you really can't put baby in the middle, put them behind you. In a split second moment, you are more likely to save your own side of the car. Instinct.

The latch isn't any safer, it just makes for a easier install.. (some of the time) That's it.