Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. Children should use their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a brand new car seat, consider features such as fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They also offer greater safety, as they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents think that their kiddos have necks that are stronger than their older children, meaning they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens will change that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size is likely to be hit with greater force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat cheap car seat you can switch to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into a booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and ready to change to face forward. You should only 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 the event of a 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 practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head can be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A child who is facing towards the front 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 vehicle is moving, the head can be pulled back against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.

Using a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable, which reduces this stress on their necks. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat.

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

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in a car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness 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 vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents might be enticed to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a car as long as is possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat rear facing car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car infant carrier seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child reaches the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it can be.

If possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. 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 active. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. You can then purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, whether it has a refund policy.