car seats by age (over at this website)

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet 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 tall or age 10 to 12.

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

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the force of impact over a larger surface area which minimizes spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. In reality, a child's head can exert up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will change this. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with more force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat cheap car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at their convertible car seat's weight or maximum height, you will need to move them into a booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more comfortable. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown against the seat's front and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially 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 a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving, the head can be pulled into the seat and may break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is because younger kids don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe kind of accident where cars are involved.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady, reducing neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat newborn seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.

When your child is past 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 or height limit set by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in their 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 use them.

Parents may be enticed to let their three-year-old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety or booster seat installed correctly as long as they can. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows an infant car seat swivel car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years, or until your child reaches the seat's weight and height limit. Install the best car seat safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child is the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by looking at a tag attached to it.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since 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. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.