car seats by age (Check This Out)

Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to protect children based on their age. Children should be in their newborn car seat insert seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are searching for a new seat, look for features like fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from a crash. They are also safer, because they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This limits the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and growing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a best car seats newborn seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will alter this. In the event of a crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best infant seat protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head can be thrown back by force against the seat in front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids such as infants who are less than a year old.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is moving the head could be forced into the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this stress on their necks. In addition, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or height when kids can safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive however they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if one is available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in their place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a car for as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an top rated infant car seats car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing option. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child is over the seat's maximum weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.

If you can the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there's an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that fits both your car and the child's height. If you can't try out the seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.