Driscoll Children’s Hospital
Injury Prevention Program
3533 South Alameda Street
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
361-694-6700
(866) 886-5957 (toll free)
Call for assistance while pregnant to attend car seat installation class AND have car seat inspected regularly. Make an appointment.
Phase I Rear-Facing Car Seats
Infants: Texas Law requires that infants and toddlers remain rear facing until age 1 AND 20 pounds. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer.
Phase 2 Forward-Facing Car Seat
Any child 2 years or older who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car seat, should use a Forward-Facing Car Seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed their car seat’s manufacturer. These children should ride in a forward-facing car seat as long as possible up to the upper height and weight limit of the harness usually 4 years old.
Phase 3 Booster Seats
All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat (usually age 4 AND over 40 pounds) should use a Belt-Positioning Booster Seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
Phase 4 Adult Safety Belt
When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone (usually 4’ 9’’ and 100 pounds), they should always use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection.
All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.