Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should use their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are searching for a new seat, look for features such as fabric that resists stains and removable pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer, since they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body, and growing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their children have bigger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change this. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be hit with greater force. This can lead to brain and spinal cord injury.

When your child outgrows their rotating infant car seat car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. So, it's important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into the booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know that the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of turn their babies' car seats when they grow older, because it's more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown back by force against the seat in front and can cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving the head could be pulled into the seat and could fracture the skull or the 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 younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

Using a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from facing forward to rear at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use it until the belt is properly fitted, and that can happen anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt so that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether if one is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in their place. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to let their 3 year old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the harness car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seats on sale car seat you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag that is attached to it.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your best car seat for newborn and the child's height. If you can't try out a seat, check to whether it has a policy for refunds.