PeaceHealth Southwest nurses spot unapproved car seat before family heads home

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3. PeaceHealth Southwest Nurses Spot Unapproved Car Seat Before Family Heads Home

PeaceHealth Southwest nurses spot unapproved car seat before family heads home

September 3, 2026 | News

Thanks to the observant eyes of several nurses in PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a new dad was recently stopped from placing his newborn baby in an unapproved car seat before leaving the hospital.

As a night shift nurse was preparing to discharge a patient, she noticed something unusual about the car seat the dad had brought. She asked NICU charge nurse Tess Mowers and NICU registered nurse Meg Hutton to do a thorough inspection.

"The parents had mentioned that it was purchased from TikTok," Mowers said. "The straps were very narrow. There was no chest clip. The seat was very light."

The seat straps didn't fit the baby snugly, which raised further alarm bells. A quick online search revealed that similar counterfeit car seats have been discovered by hospitals around the country.

The father was advised not to use the knockoff and returned later with an approved carrier.

"We work diligently to make sure all infants are discharged home in a safe car seat," Mowers said.

Counterfeit infant car seats that put babies at risk are finding their way into parents' hands. Many of these look like real infant car seats, but they are not designed or tested to safely transport babies.

Some are sold online under the name Hubei DollBaby Children Products. These knockoffs come with a heavy base and have realistic-looking markings, such as a model number and manufacturing date. But these seats are actually made for dolls and lack the safety clips and sturdy harnesses needed to protect real infants in the event of a crash.

What to do if you suspect an unapproved car seat

All car seats sold in the United States are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To ensure yours is safe, look for safety labels that include:

• NHTSA certification of conformation to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS213)
• Weight and height guidelines for the specific seat;
• Basic outline of the installation procedures;
• Manufacturing data, including date of manufacture, the manufacturer's name and address and model number;
• Air bag warning;
• FAA certification for use in an aircraft;
• Weight limits for when lower anchors must be replaced with the vehicle seat belt.

You can also compare the seat to approved models using Safe Kids Washington's Ultimate Car Seat Guide.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a nonprofit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, nearly 3,200 physicians and clinicians, more than 160 clinics and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission