Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they’ve reached the manufacturer’s weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until their vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.

When shopping for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They’re also safer because they distribute the impact force over an area larger than the surface which minimizes the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

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

Children’s head are large in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. In reality the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in the event of a collision. This is enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their kids have stronger necks than older kids, so they’ll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn’t as strong as the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change this. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seats on sale car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you’ll have to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is best car seats infant 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 most secure protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to change their baby’s car seat around as they grow older, simply because it’s more comfortable. But they must remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

If you crash with an infant car seat rear facing facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if a child’s neck muscles are strong enough, it’s still possible to suffer whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than a year old.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window during an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head may be forced backwards against the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.

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

Using a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the kid’s head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Furthermore 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 younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, you should read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it’s safe to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now be in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by their best car seat seat’s manufacturer. Once they’ve outgrown it it’s time to travel with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster increases the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in cars. The shoulder portion of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should be placed on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don’t offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle’s lower anchors and a tether, in the event that one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. You can refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents might be enticed to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat because they’re growing too tall for the harness car seat. But rushing to “graduate” your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even die in an accident.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they’re tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat uk car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat’s maximum height and weight limit. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat in a way 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 and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches tall or until your child is at the top weight and height limits of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it is able to support.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there’s an active air bag. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the chance of injury in a crash, because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It’s a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your child’s seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then choose a seat that is compatible with your vehicle and child’s height. If you are unable to test a seat, check to see if it has a policy for refunds.