Car Seats by Age

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

If you are looking for a new seat consider features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over a larger surface area which minimizes spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a crash the head of a bigger child is likely to be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

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

If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have a built-in angle indicator that will inform you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seats for newborns security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older, because it is more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown back by force against the seat in front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in a crash. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the best car seats is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious type of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the stress on their necks. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

When you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to travel in a booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use one until their vehicle belt is properly fitted, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.

Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. If the belt is loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.

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 tall for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its height and weight limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in the portable infant car seat car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with an open rear-facing position. Usually, these seats can be used up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's maximum height and weight limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining the tag that is attached to it.

If possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.