Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can utilize a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat inserts for newborns seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.

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

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes 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 a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with much more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. So, it's essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will need to move them into an adult booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to notify you that the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best infant car seat protection for your child.

Forward-facing

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

In a crash with an infant car seat travel facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in a crash. Depending on what type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head may be hit against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 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 kind of car crash.

The harness and tether will help keep the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

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

Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to use a forward-facing seat with a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to get a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they can sit upright in a car. The shoulder portion of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain 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. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in place. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle 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 may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit in the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a car as long as they can, using a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing restraint using a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat travel car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats are generally good infant car seats for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

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

If it is possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 use a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your car and the child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with a return policy.