Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to protect children according to their age. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.

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

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over a larger surface area which reduces spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a top rated baby car seats who is in the 95th percentile isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children 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 is at their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll have to transition them to a booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat 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

Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around as they get older because it is more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing forward the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under a year old.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in an accident. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a lightweight baby car seat, cs.Xuxingdianzikeji.com, under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for the seat.

When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Booster seat

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

A booster raises 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 over. The lap part of the belt should lie across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats include belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in their place. You can check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if 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 move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit in the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a collision.

Back seat

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

When your child is no longer able to fit in the infant car seats car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one newborn car seat seat that has an open rear-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car seat newborn safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.

If you can, 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. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats 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 receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They 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 not able to try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.