Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to use a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area, which limits injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted 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 as long as you can. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In reality, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter this. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child outgrows their top rated infant car seats car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will reach the height limit first, so it's important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you will need to move them into a booster. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves an infant facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent spinal damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of an accident. Depending on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is the most serious type of accident in which automobiles are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces strain on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can be changed 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 will explain whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limits for the seat.

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

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt fits them properly and that could happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also positioned so that it is 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 include a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which provides 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. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car seat newborn insert to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors on your car, and also 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 best car seat newborn seat because the child is getting too tall for the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an best infant seat car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are generally used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a tag on the best car seats newborn seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can support.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

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