Department of Pediatrics

Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, a pediatric critical care physician at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, and president of the Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

(AUGUST 3, 2024) Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, a pediatric critical care physician at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, and president of the Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, commented to WCAX-TV about Vermont’s new child car seat safety laws that went into effect last month.

Since July 1, 2024, in Vermont, a child under two must be in a rear-facing seat with a harness. Prior to the change, children up to one year old and 20 pounds could move to a forward-facing seat.

“When we transition children in their car seats, we actually lose a layer of safety and protection, so we want to stop and think let’s wait until they can no longer, based on weight—they’ve exceeded that weight limit so now it’s time. So this is something to just slow down—slow down those transitions and check before you change,” Bell said.

This topic was also covered by the Shelburne News.