Car Seats by Age

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

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

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over a larger surface area, which limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat when they've reached their maximum weight or height of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body and growing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times their body weight in a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. But it's important to remember that a baby car seat who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change that. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can switch to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear 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 tempted to change their children's car seats around as they get older because it's more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head can be thrown by force against the seat's front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a window, in an accident. Based on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the best car seat infant is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This could result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash 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 and reduces stress on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

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

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat for newborn seat limitation They can now travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the belt is properly fitted and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is near but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most common type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

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

Back seat

All children should use a child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby seat has outgrown an infant car seat you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child is at 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.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it can be.

All children over the age of 18 should be in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase their chances of being injured during an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, find out if the seat has a refund policy.