Jeep Cherokee 2009 Operating Information Manual page 39

Infants And Small Children
• Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at
least one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9
kg). Two types of child restraints can be used
rearward-facing: infant carriers and "convert-
ible" child seats.
• The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing
in the vehicle. It is recommended for children
who weigh up to about 20 lbs (9 kg). "Convert-
ible" child seats can be used either rearward-
facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Convert-
ible child seats often have a higher weight limit
in the rearward-facing direction than infant car-
riers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg)
but are less than one year old. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint
anchorage system. Refer to "LATCH — Child
Seat Anchorage System (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren)" in this section.
• Rearward-facing child seats must NEVER be
used in the front seat of a vehicle with the front
passenger airbag unless the airbag is turned
off. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
36
WARNING!
• Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in
a collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions
exactly when installing an infant or child re-
straint.
• A rearward facing infant restraint should only
be used in a rear seat. A rearward facing
infant restraint in the front seat may be struck
by a deploying passenger airbag, which may
cause severe or fatal injury to the infant.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and
who are older than one year can ride forward-
facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats
and convertible child seats used in the forward-
facing direction are for children who weigh 20 to
40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who are older than one
year. These child seats are also held in the vehicle
by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child re-
straint anchorage system. Refer to "LATCH —
Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower Anchors
and Tether for CHildren)" in this section.
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children
weighing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are
still too small to fit the vehicle's seat belts properly.
If the child cannot sit with knees bent over the
vehicle's seat cushion while the child's back is
against the seatback, they should use a belt-
positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by
the lap/shoulder belt.
Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoul-
der belt comfortably, and whose legs are long
enough to bend over the front of the seat when
their back is against the seatback, should use the
lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
• The lap portion should be low on the hips and
as snug as possible.
• Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming
or slouching can move the belt out of position.
• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck,
move the child closer to the center of the
vehicle. Never allow a child to put the shoulder
belt under an arm or behind their back.