Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are searching for a new seat, look for features like fabrics that are resistant to staining and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact over more of a larger area, which limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they’re ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only when they’ve reached their height or weight limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. That’s why young children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces 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 child who’s 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups by teens can change this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with much more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their infant carrier seat 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 typically reach their height limit first. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at their convertible car seat’s weight or maximum height, you will require them to be moved to an adult booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best car seat for newborn protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to flip their baby’s car seat around as they grow older, as it’s more comfortable. But they should remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

If you crash with a baby facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head can be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child’s neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks, like infants under a year old.

A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is traveling the head may be forced into the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious kind of car accident.

Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child’s head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it’s safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing infant car seats seat limit They can now be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it’s time to get the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no set age or height at which children 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 can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over 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 common type is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. It’s a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don’t provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle’s lower anchors and a tether, if one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in place. Check your vehicle’s manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child go straight 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 can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough, children can be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a car as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seats by age seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown the rotating infant car seat car seat, you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with a rear-facing option. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child is at the height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it can support.

All older children should be in a booster seat or a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not, they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check if your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child’s size. If you’re not able to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with a return policy.