If your child/infant has medical or another sort of special need, you’ll want to take some extra steps to help ensure his or her safety. When you choose a car seat that fits your child and position him or her correctly, you’re keeping the child comfortable AND safe.

Standard car seats can be used for some children with special needs and are the preferred choice. Speak to your doctor to see if this is an option for you.

Infants with breathing difficulties

Rear-facing car seats must be reclined to a 45-degree angle. However, children who have difficulty breathing and are susceptible to breathing failure need to lie flat.

If your child has breathing difficulties your child’s doctor will conduct a test before you leave the hospital. Testing procedures will vary from hospital to hospital.

Remember; when a baby outgrows its car seat, it will still need to travel facing the rear until all of the following criteria have been met:

• The baby is one year old
• The baby weighs 22 lbs (10 kg)
• The baby is able to walk unassisted

It’s recommended that a baby travel in the rear-facing position for as long as possible. In fact, some of these car seats can support a child up to 40 lbs (18 kg) in the rear-facing position.

Specialized car seat options for children

When your child reaches the maximum weight limit for the rear-facing position (as above), it’s time to move him or her to a forward-facing car seat. If the child has difficultly supporting its head, neck and/or trunk, you need a seat that will give him or her some extra support.

Your child’s doctor or a specialized clinic will help you to find a seat that meets the physical needs of your child.

Transporting your child with medical equipment

If your child needs special medical equipment like an apnea monitor or oxygen tank, the equipment needs to be anchored to the floor or secured under the seat. This will prevent the equipment from injuring passengers in the vehicle in the event of a collision or sudden stop.

The information presented here is to be used as a guideline only and cannot be substituted for proper medical opinion. Please speak with your child’s doctor for specific information on the medical and transportation needs of your child.