car seats by age (check out this one from burch-duggan.thoughtlanes.net)

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can use a booster until the belts are properly fitted and they’re usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a new seat, look for features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They’re also safer as they spread the impact force over more of a larger area which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they’re ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only after they’ve reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact, a child’s head can exert up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in the event of a collision. This is enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups by teens can change that. In the event of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is no longer in their best infant seat car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you’ll need to move them into a booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. It is best car seats infant to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to turn their child’s car seat around as they grow older, because it is more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing forward the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if the child’s neck muscles are strong enough, it’s still possible to suffer whiplash. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head could be forced backwards against the seat and may break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason is that children who are younger don’t have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child’s head steady, reducing neck strain. In addition the rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it’s safe for them to face forward. The manufacturer’s guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for the specific seat.

Once your child is at the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child’s vehicle belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster elevates a child’s height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. 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 must rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don’t provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

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

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit in a harness seat. However, rushing to “graduate” your child from 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 or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they’re able. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an top rated infant car seats car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats can typically be used up to two years, or until your child reaches the seat’s height and weight limit. If you have a vehicle with a middle-seat, install the infant car seat travel safety seat so that it can be secured tightly in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their 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 usually used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the manufacturer’s instructions, or by examining the tag that is attached to it.

If possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they aren’t able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.

It’s a good idea 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 if your car seat has been recalled for problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child’s height. If you’re unable to try a seat before buying, make sure it has a return policy.