car seats by age (www.kscomp.co.kr)

Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. It's recommended that children ride 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 fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.

When you are searching for a new seat consider features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies 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 a larger surface area, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body 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 best infant car seat seat with their backs forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change this. In the case of a newborn car seat insert crash, a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is ready for flipping into 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 car seat newborn protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more comfortable. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head can be thrown against the seat in front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to suffer whiplash. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window, in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head could be forced into the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. This is because children younger than one year do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe type of accident in which cars are involved.

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

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

Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they've outgrown it you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use one until the belt fits them correctly and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest on 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 popular booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents might be enticed to let their 3-year old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as possible 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 who have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat cheap car seat you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used up to two years, or until your child outgrows the seat's highest height and weight 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 infant car seat-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child is at the 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 a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Putting children in the front seat could increase the risk of injury in a crash, 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 choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.