Patient and Family Education
Going Home With a Cast
in a Hippo Car Seat
While your child is in a
cast, we will order a
special car seat
(called a Hippo) for
your child to use on
loan to ride safely in
the car.
Your child has a cast that will make it difficult to fit properly in their normal
car seat. The Hippo is a special kind of car seat designed for children with casts.
Even when using this special car seat, it is best to limit the amount of time
your child rides in the car while they have a cast. This is because of your
child’s the weight and position of the cast in the car seat.
What is a Hippo car seat?
A Hippo car seat is a special-needs car seat made by Snug Seat. It is
specifically designed to transport children in casts. The Hippo is most often
used for children that have leg or hip Spica casts. It also has a wide shoulder
opening, which allows more room to fit arm or shoulder Spica casts.
The seat can be used rear-facing (when a child is 5 to 33 pounds) or
forward-facing (when a child is 34 to 65 pounds). This must include the
weight of your child with their cast. The seat comes with a special insert to use
if your child has a hip or leg cast that makes it hard to bend at the waist.
Toddler with a hip (Spica) cast in a Hippo car seat rear-facing
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Going Home with a Cast in a Hippo Car Seat
To Learn More
• FRC Car Seat Program
206-987-2201
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Ask your child’s
healthcare provider
• www.seattlechildrens.org
Free Interpreter
Services
• In the hospital, ask
your child’s nurse.
• From outside the
hospital, call the
toll-free Family
Interpreting Line
1-866-583-1527. Tell
the interpreter the
name or extension you
need.
Infant with a shoulder Spica cast in a Hippo car seat rear-facing
What do I need to do?
• The Hippo car seat will be delivered to your room or where your child is
recovering. Adjust it to fit your child using the Hippo owner’s manual.
• Install the Hippo into your car using the Hippo owner’s manual and your
vehicle owner’s manual.
• You can go to the Family Resource Center (FRC) during business hours for
a video and a hands-on demonstration about how to install the Hippo into
your car. Call 206-987-2201 to make an appointment.
• Return the Hippo car seat when your child gets their cast off. If your child
will have a splint after the cast is removed, please keep the car seat until
your child is no longer wearing a splint during the day.
Car Seat Resources
• Snug Seat customer service: www.snugseat.com or 1-800-336-7684, option 3
• Automotive Safety Program: www.preventinjury.org/Special-NeedsTransportation, see the ‘Medical Conditions’ page section ‘Casts’
• Seattle Children’s Community Car Seat Checks: 206-987-5999
• Safety Restraint Coalition: www.800bucklup.org or 1-800-BUCKL-UP
Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and
legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request.
Call the Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201.
This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s needs are unique. Before you act
or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.
© 2015 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.
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PE1844
Family Resource Center
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