Car Seats and Special Health Needs

Children with special health needs may require a specialized car seat. Information here can help parents and caregivers learn about the options available.

What Type of Seats are Available?

In addition to traditional car seats, there are specialized and adaptive car seats for children with special health care needs:

• Car beds for infants who must travel lying down
• Specialized rear-facing seats for children with omphaloceles (birth defect that affects the abdominal wall)
• Convertible car seats for children with hip casts
• Large medical seats for children who need additional positioning support
• Adaptive belt positioning booster seats for kids who need additional positioning support
• Vests or harnesses. Some can be used for kids who have casts that require them to lie down while traveling. Others position a child upright with closures in the front or back.

Car Seat Installation

Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians with specialized training are available to install or check car seats to ensure proper installation and safety. Find an inspection site near you.