Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.

When you are searching for a new seat, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are removable that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They're also safer because they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children forward-facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks than older kids, so they can handle the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be struck with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll have to place them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you when the seat has been properly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best car seat for newborn protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more convenient. But they should remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

If you crash with an best infant carrier car seat facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head can be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or on the window during a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head could be forced back against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

When you have a child less than a year old in a convertible best car seats seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.

When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. Once they've outgrown it you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters may be cheaper, however they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors on your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.

Some parents may be tempted to let their 3-year old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. If the belt is not secure enough, children can be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

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

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest weight and height limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.

All children over the age of 18 must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Putting children in the front seat could increase the risk of injury in a crash, because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.