car seats by age (the full report)

Each car seat is designed for a specific age group. It is recommended that children ride in their car 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 reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When looking for a new chair, consider features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They are also safer, because they disperse the force of an impact across a wider area. This limits spinal cord injuries.

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

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will change that. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be struck with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and 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 usually reach their height limit first. So, it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will need to move them into the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to switch their kids' infant car seat for travel seats around as they grow older because it's more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves an portable infant car seat facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger like infants.

A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be hit against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal cord.

The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is often the most serious type of accident in which automobiles are involved.

Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces stress on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

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

Seat booster

There is no set age or height when kids can safely stop using a booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could happen anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster raises the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt so that it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are 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, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to find out if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat since they're getting too tall for a car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows the infant car seat that swivels car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to two years, or until your child is over the seat's height and weight limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.

All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not you can use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured in collisions since their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the best child safety seat for them. They can also check if your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.