Car Seat Mistakes Most Parents Make (And How to Fix Them)

Car seat safety is one of those topics that feels overwhelming…so many straps, rules, and confusing instructions and yet it’s one of the most important things we do as parents.

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and child passenger safety technician, Michelle Pratt from Safe in the Seat, to talk about the most common car seat mistakes parents make and how to fix them. We both share our own missteps (yes, even as a pediatrician and as a safety expert!) and the lessons that changed how we buckle our kids in.

We cover:

• Why “winging it” with installation is risky, and how to practice before you leave the hospital

• Chest clip placement, shoulder strap positioning, and the “one-inch rule” every parent should know

• Rear-facing myths, what age to turn forward, and why “rear until 2” isn’t the full story

• The truth about aftermarket products (like those head straps) and why they can be dangerousHow to empower kids to notice and speak up about their own car seat safety

To connect with Michelle Pratt check out all her resources at https://www.safeintheseat.com/.  Follow her on Instagram at @safeintheseat. 

Car Seat Finder Tool: https://www.safeintheseat.com/find-your-best-car-seat

Safe to Switch: https://courses.safeintheseat.com/offers/uufJeUvJ/checkout

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00:00 – Why Car Seat Safety Feels Overwhelming 01:00 – Dr. Mona Introduces Michelle Pratt and Their Connection 04:40 – Car Lines, Backpacks, and Real-Life Safety Struggles 08:20 – Michelle’s Origin Story and Why She Started Safe in the Seat 12:00 – The Hospital Discharge Mistake Almost Every Parent Makes 17:45 – Chest Clip Placement Explained 23:00 – Teaching Kids to Be Their Own Safety Advocates 26:00 – Survivor Bias and Distracted Driving Today 27:00 – The One-Inch Rules Parents Don’t Know 33:20 – Shoulder Strap Placement: Rear vs Forward Facing 37:00 – Why Reading the Manual Actually Matters 41:15 – Rear-Facing Until Four: The Physics and Development Behind It 46:30 – Real-Life Exceptions: Motion Sickness, Car Fit, and Caregiver Needs 59:00 – Resources from Safe in the Seat 1:00:15 – Final Thoughts and How to Share This Episode

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