Conventional Car Seats
Conventional car seats are appropriate for many children with special health care needs. Conventional car seats are defined as those restraints that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213). Conventional restraints can be purchased at retail stores and are not specifically designed for children with special health care needs. Examples include rear-facing only car seats, convertible (and all-in-one) car seats, combination car seats, and belt-positioning booster seats. Car seats with harnesses up to 40-50 pounds rear-facing and 65 pounds forward-facing have increased the number of conventional car seat options available for children with special health care needs.
Many conventional convertible car seats and conventional all-in-one car seats also have multiple recline angles in rear-facing and in forward-facing. These recline angles may benefit children with decreased head control, low tone, and many other diagnoses. Rear-facing car seats will have the most recline angle.
American Academy of Pediatrics Conventional Car Seat Product Listing – Includes weight and height limits, pricing, and is separated by Rear-Facing Only Seats, Convertible Seats (All-in-One Seats) Combination Seats, and Belt-Positioning Booster Seats, Travel Vests, and Other Seats.