Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes and shapes, but they're all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They're also safer as they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current car seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their kiddos have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a child 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 by teens can change the fact that. 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, you can switch to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear facing infant car seat-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child is at their convertible car seat's weight or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into the booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to notify you that the seat is properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more convenient. But they should remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

In a crash with a baby facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller that aren't yet a year old.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or on the window during a crash. Depending on what kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head could be hit against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

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

When you have a child who is less than one year old and 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 guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether and the height and weight limits for that particular seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat with a tether. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Seat booster

There isn't a set age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

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

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

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

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit in a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed as long as they can. 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 are too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat that swivels car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or 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 newborn car seat insert safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.

If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If not then they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the best infant carrier car seat child safety seat. They can also find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.