Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get an extra seat until the vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When looking for a new seat, consider features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are removable that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their children to 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 tell you when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In reality children's heads can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change that. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head will likely be struck with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you that the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best infant carrier car seat protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to switch their kids' car seats around as they grow older because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially applicable to children who are younger like infants.

A child who is facing forward facing infant car seat is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can 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 are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of car crash.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limits for that particular seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat you can allow them to be 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've surpassed this, it's time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height when kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use one until the belt fits them properly, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most popular model is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters can be less expensive however they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to hold them in their place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to let their three-year-old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat since they're getting too tall for the harness car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in a crash.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats typically last for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight 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 in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you the height and weight it can be.

If it is possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Placing children in the front seat can increase the chance of being injured during an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child's car seats by age seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can buy one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.