Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.

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

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which reduces 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 it is possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. In reality, a child's head could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward facing infant car seat faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't 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 crash, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with more force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible best car seats infant seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is best car seat for newborn uk to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest 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. But they must keep in mind 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 a crash, because the head can be thrown back by force against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or window during a crash. Depending on what type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and one year old. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is often the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from rear to forward-facing be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to travel in the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain 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 boosters.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether in the event that one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in their place. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Parents may 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 harness car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from to a harness. If the belt is loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the limits of its weight and height, should switch to a forward facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used for up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum height and weight limit. If you own a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it can be secured tightly in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are usually used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag on the seat.

All children older than 5 years old must be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.