Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seats until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They also offer greater safety, since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change this. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seats best car seat, you can change to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. This is why it is essential to follow the guidelines of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at their convertible car seat's weight or maximum height, you will need to move them into a booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seat newborn protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around as they grow older because it is more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are the best option for children.

In a crash with the baby facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent spine damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids that aren't yet one year old.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year old 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 dangerous kind of car crash.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a baby seat less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've outgrown this, it is time to travel in a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use one until the vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could happen anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child so that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so it is close to but not directly over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether when one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall for the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from to a harness. If the belt is too loose children could be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.

Back seat

All children should have a child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the limits of its weight and height 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.

When your child is no longer able to fit in the infant carrier seat car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child is over the seat's highest weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can be.

All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not then they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can bring 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 whether your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you can't try out the seat, whether it has a return policy.