Car Seats by Age

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

When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact across more of a larger area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.

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

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents think that their kids have necks that are stronger than their older children, meaning they can handle the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. But it's important to remember that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as a 5th percentile kid and no amount of teen push-ups can change that. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with more force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child outgrows their infant car seat best car seats by age 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. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child is at their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll have to transition them into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to notify you when the seat has been correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best protection for your child.

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 comfortable. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

In the event of a crash that involves a baby facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to suffer whiplash. This is especially relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious type of car accident.

Using a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable, which reduces this strain on their necks. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing 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 that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limits for that seat.

When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a tether. When they've outgrown this, it is time to get a booster seat.

Booster seat

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

A booster raises the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in cars. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should lie across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, in the event that one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in their place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents might be tempted to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall to fit into a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

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

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat best car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it is secured in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child is at the height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can be.

All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not, they should use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your car and the child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, whether it has a refund policy.