Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher 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 it in mind that a child who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change the fact that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

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

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will have to transition them to a booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to notify you when the seat has been properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seat for newborn protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to flip their baby's car seat as they get older, because it is more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In a crash with the top rated baby car seats facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat and cause permanent spinal damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is especially relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or window during a crash. Depending on what kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can cause a fractured skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved.

The harness and tether will help keep the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. In addition that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster helps a child increase their height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

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

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether when one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're 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 might be enticed to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child immediately go to a booster seat since they're getting too tall for the harness car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. If the belt is too loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should have the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seats cheap car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with the option of rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to two years, or until your child reaches the seat's weight and height limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly 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 tall or until your child reaches the maximum height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or by looking at a tag attached to it.

If possible, all older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not, they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Children who sit in the front seat 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 right child safety seat for them. They can also check if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, check to whether it has a policy for refunds.