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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 based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. After that, they can use 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 shopping for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer, because they distribute the impact force over a larger area. This limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

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

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. Therefore, it is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer of the car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will require them to be moved into a booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you that the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to change their children's car seats around as they get older because it seems more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In a crash with an infant facing forward the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spine damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to suffer whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

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. Based on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head may be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and one year old. The reason for this is that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this strain on their necks. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

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

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height at which children can safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use one until their vehicle belt fits them properly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child so that they can sit upright in a car. The shoulder part of a belt is 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 over the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether when one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to see if you can use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit into a harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat





Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. 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 safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height 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, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child is the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on the seat.

All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Placing children in the front seat can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the best child safety seat. They can also find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If best car seats to try a seat, check to see if it has a return policy.