Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. After that, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, securing their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the force of impact over more of a larger area which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

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

Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat that is facing to the side are at a higher risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their kiddos have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change this. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head will likely be hit with greater force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat for travel car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that allows them to remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved to a booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around as they get older because it is more convenient. But they should remember that rear-facing seats are the best option for children.

In the event of a crash that involves a baby facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head against 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 could result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether will help keep the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limits for the seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters can be less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

Some boosters come with a 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 secure them in their place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall to fit in the harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back of a car for as long as they can, 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 the limits of its weight and height and should be switched to a forward-facing restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby seat is no longer in an infant car seats by age seat they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat with an open rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's highest 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.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a tag on the car seats by age seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can be.

All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Putting children in the front seat can increase the risk of being injured during an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, find out if the seat has a refund policy.