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Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is designed to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, securing their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they spread the force of impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and growing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in an accident -- more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents think that their kids have stronger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to 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 as strong as 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a bigger child will likely be struck with greater force. This can lead to brain and spinal cord injury.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can switch to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped 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 car seats newborn protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their lightweight baby car seat's car seat as they get older, as it's more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head could be thrown against the seat's front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or window in the event of the course of a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be hit against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of car crash.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head in place which reduces neck strain. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a baby under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for the specific seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now be in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them properly, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters can be less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a car as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown the infant car seats car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats 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 is over the seat's maximum height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the top rated baby car seats height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.

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 seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is in use. Putting children in the front seat can increase the chance of getting injured in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also find out if your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.