Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children based on their age. It is recommended that children sit in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until their vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.

When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

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

Parents are often tempted to change their children to 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. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to go forward.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older kids, so they can handle the 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 isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will alter that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible best car seats infant seat or height limit, you will have to transition them into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to notify you that the seat is properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seat newborn uk protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to turn their child's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more comfortable. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are an option that is safer for children.

If you crash with an infant facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than one year old.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and one year old. This is because children younger than one year do not have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which tends to be the most serious type of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

Once your child is at the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel infant car seat with a forward-facing seat with a tether. When they've reached that point, it's time to travel with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no magic age or height when kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether if one is available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in position. You can check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is growing too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from a harness. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a car for as long as is possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows an infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. These seats are generally good 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 securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put 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 attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on it.

All older children must be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If not, they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during 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 correct child safety seat. They can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. You can then choose a seat that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with a return policy.