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's recommended that children ride in their car seat 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 age 10-12.

If you are looking for a new seat, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They're also safer as they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

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

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can produce 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 risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their children have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it's important to realize that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child and no amount of teen push-ups will change the fact that. In the event of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seats cheap car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. This is why it is crucial to follow the directions of the car seat manufacturer on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will require them to be moved to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more comfortable. They must remember, however that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

Having a top rated baby car seats face forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the seat's front and can cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in an accident. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed into the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

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

The harness and tether help keep the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

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

Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child to ensure that they can sit upright in cars. It also positions the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good infant car seats option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.

Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 pounds child immediately go to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the harness car seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from the harness. If the belt is too loose children could be seriously injured or even die in an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use a child safety or booster seat correctly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the limits of its weight and height and should be switched to a forward-facing restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

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

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining the tag that is attached to the seat.

All children older than 5 years old must be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If they can't then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the best child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test the seat, find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.