Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. 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 their vehicle belts fit correctly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are searching for a new seat consider features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer, because they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This helps reduce spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. But it's important to remember that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can change this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat travel car seat, you can change to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. It is best car seat for newborn to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of turn their babies' car seats when they get older because it is more convenient. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to suffer whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be hit against the seat. This could result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.

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

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned by 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 which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

When your child reaches the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a tether. When they've reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

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

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be cheaper, however they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their 3 year old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even killed in a crash.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child is 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it is able to support.

All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If they aren't able to utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the risk of injury in an accident because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the best car seat for newborn uk child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.