Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use a booster seat until their vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When you are searching for a new chair, look for features like fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

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

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

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can change that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can switch to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into an adult booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that informs you when the seat is properly installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older, because it is more convenient. They must remember, however, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

In a crash with the baby facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to suffer whiplash. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head against the dashboard or window in the event of the course of a crash. Based on the kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractures to the skull or spinal chord.

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

The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the strain on their necks. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

If you have a baby under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a portable infant car seat seat, they can travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to travel in the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use one until the vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also aligns 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 should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors on your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be tempted 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 into the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety seat 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 its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows the infant car seat best car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car seat inserts for newborns with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on the seat.

If it is possible, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If they aren't able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front of the infant car seat that swivels if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good infant car seats idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the best child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.