Car Seats by Age

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

When looking for a new chair, look for features like fabric that resists stains and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children 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. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only after they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. However, it's important to realize 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 crash, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is no longer in their rotating infant car seat car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will need to move them to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seat protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats around when they get older because it's more practical. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

In the event of a crash that involves an infant facing toward the rear, the neck is at risk. The head could be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

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 nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving, the head can be pulled back against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is often the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to suffer 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 that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

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

Booster seat

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

A booster raises the height of a child so that they can sit upright in cars. It also positions the shoulder part of the belt so that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats are available 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 good option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether when one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in position. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle 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 may be tempted to let their 3-year old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed 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 transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown the best infant car seat car seat, you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. 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 height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining a tag attached to the seat.

If it is possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Putting children in the front seat can increase the risk of being injured during an accident, as the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. You can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, check to see if it has a return policy.