car seats by age (link)

Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When looking for a brand new car seat inserts for newborns seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This reduces the risk of spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their children to 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. This means that they should move to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks than older children, which means they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter the fact that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely 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 to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. So, it's important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll require them to be moved into a booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and ready to change to face forward. You should only use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of turn their child's car seat as they get older, because it is more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing towards the front the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for smaller kids that aren't yet a year old.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Depending on what type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. 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 the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces stress on their necks. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether, as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've reached that point, it's time to travel with a booster.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion 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 include belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents might be tempted to move 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 in a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back 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 infant car seat-facing car seat or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in the infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's maximum weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child is the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can support.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured in collisions since their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the best car seats for infants child safety seat. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat, check to see if it has a policy for refunds.