Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. It’s recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer’s height or weight limits and then use a booster seat until their vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.

When looking for a new chair, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and 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 babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they’re ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing best car seat for newborn uk seat only after they’ve reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children’s heads are big in relation to their body and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child’s head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older kids, so they’ll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It’s important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn’t any more powerful than a child who’s 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups done by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This can result in brain and spinal cord injury.

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

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you’ll have to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children’s car seats around when they grow older, because it is more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown back by force against the seat’s front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window during the course of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving, the head can be pushed into the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

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

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child’s head in place, reducing neck strain. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by 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 rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, you should read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it’s safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.

Once your child is at the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they’ve outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

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

A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle’s lower anchors, and a tether if one is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in position. Check your vehicle’s manual to see if you can use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. It’s dangerous to “graduate” a child from the harness. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride 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 tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they’re too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seats uk best car seats for newborns seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are typically used until the child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at the tag that is attached to the seat.

If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not then they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It’s a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child’s car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can buy one that’s compatible with your car and your child’s size. If you’re not able try a seat before buying, make sure it has a return policy.