Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety 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 manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to 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 shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In reality, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat that is facing forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

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

When your child has outgrown their cheap infant car seats car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to place them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

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

In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing forward the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to land their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is traveling the head may be pushed into the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. This is because children younger than one year do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which is often the most serious kind of accident in which cars are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this strain on their necks. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

When you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit They can now be in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Booster seat

There is no set age or size at which kids can safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use it until the belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the best car seat for newborn. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether if one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Go through the manual of your car 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 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 in a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in the infant car seats newborn seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it is able to support.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If they aren't able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an active air bag. 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 choosing and installing the best car seats newborn child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.