Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface, which limits injuries to the spinal cord.

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

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in the event of 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 with their backs forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

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

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat cheap car seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your best car seat newborn uk seat regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around as they grow older, because it seems more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the seat's front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window during an accident. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is often the most severe type of accident in which cars are involved.

The harness and tether will help keep the child's head steady, reducing neck strain. A child facing the rear will be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

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

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. 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 portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster which offers neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters can be cheaper, but they don't 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 a booster.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether when available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to hold them in position. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is becoming too tall for a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from a harness. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

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

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seats by age seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing seat. Usually, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

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

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

It's a good idea bring your child to a local newborn car seat insert seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat for them. They can also find out whether your car seat is being recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're not able to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.