Car Seat LATCH System | What It Is & How To Use It
It’s time for a little Car Mom vocab, our “word of the day” if you will, and that word is LATCH. You’ve heard me talk about LATCH in every single car tour I’ve done because it’s such a vital part of car seat safety. In my opinion, it's something that is greatly overlooked when considering what car will work for your family now and in the future.
As a mom of three and Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), there's nothing more important to me than keeping my kids — and yours — safe while traveling.
In this post, you'll learn what the LATCH system is and why it's essential to understand how LATCH impacts your car buying decisions. Everyone has opinions, but this post will give you the facts you need to feel confident while in your mom car era.
What does LATCH mean?
LATCH is an acronym that describes a system for attaching a car seat into a vehicle— Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren.
I wish I could give you a cut-and-dry answer about where to find LATCH locations, but every vehicle is different. Some offer lower anchors and top tethers in the second row and skip the lower anchors in the third row, while others offer lower anchors and top tethers in all rear seats. And, of course, some vehicles skip this system altogether.
As a mom and CPST, I want my kids to travel in car seats attached by lower anchors and tethers.
Can you use car seat LATCH and a seatbelt together?
Too much of a good thing can, in fact, be a bad thing. A car crash while using LATCH and seat belts together when you shouldn't will stress the car seat in ways the manufacturer didn't anticipate. When installed properly, a car seat will absorb the force of a crash, protecting your baby. Limiting the car seat's motion by using seatbelts and tethers can cause the crash's force to be redistributed to your child.
There is an exception to this rule, though. If both your car seat manual and your car owner's manual suggest using LATCH and a seatbelt, you should follow the instructions.
If you’re feeling unsure of what option works best for both your child and their car seat, don’t be afraid to contact a CPST for help.
Is it better to use LATCH or a seatbelt to secure car seats?
When installed correctly and according to your car seat manufacturer's advice, seatbelts and LATCH-installed car seats are equally safe.
There's one big exception, though. It's very important to remember that LATCH has a weight limit of 65 pounds in newer cars or 55 pounds in vehicles older than 2008. That's kid + car seat weight— not just your child. As your child grows, you'll need to switch from the LATCH system to a seat belt system.
Do I need to use LATCH differently for rear-facing and forward-facing car seats?
Again, making blanket statements is impossible since every car seat and vehicle is different. Let's use my go-to car seat as an example. The Graco SlimFit 3LX uses Push-button InRight LATCH for easy, one-second attachment via two lower tethers in rear-facing mode and two lower tethers and one upper anchor in forward-facing mode.
Check your car owner's manual and car seat manual to discover LATCH points and how to attach your car seat.
My vehicle doesn't have LATCH. Can I add a LATCH system?
In most cases, no. But if you're kicking it old school in a pre-2002 Audi or Volkswagen, the manufacturer can install a LATCH system in many models.
Do not, I repeat, do not purchase an aftermarket LATCH retrofit kit. While a built-in car seat LATCH system with lower anchors and tethers is ideal for car seat installation, your child is much safer with a seat belt installation than with a retrofit system.
Do you use the car seat LATCH system for your child's seat? Let me know your experience with it in the comments! And to keep up with the latest family driving tips, check out my recent posts:
