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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
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
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
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
View all episodes
By Dr. Mona Amin
4.9
14591,459 ratings
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
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
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
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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