car seats by age (
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Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can utilize a booster until the belts are properly fitted, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are searching for a new chair, look for features like fabric that resists stains and pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer, since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This helps reduce spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition
forward facing infant car seat-facing.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies. They are also developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents think that their kids have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing
newborn car seat insert seat earlier. However, it's important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can change the fact that. In the event of a car crash, a larger child's head will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their
infant car seats best car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. This is why it is crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around when they get older because it's more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
In a crash with an infant facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under one year old.
A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be forced back against the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
When you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can switch from front-facing to rear, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit They can now travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the
top rated infant car seats weight or height limit set by the
car seat newborn seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt fits them properly and that could happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as a booster.
Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold 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 booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Parents may be enticed to let their 3-year old 30 lbs child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a crash.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its height and weight limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child is at the maximum height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can be.
If you can the older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If they can't then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the best child safety seat. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.