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Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children based on their age. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

If you are looking for a new seat, look for features like fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that are removable that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer, since they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat inserts for newborns seat that is facing the front.

Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who's 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change this. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can switch to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll have to transition them into the booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat has been correctly installed and is ready to be turned to forward facing infant car seat-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your car and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat around as they get older, because it is more comfortable. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

If you crash with the baby facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head could be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent spinal damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than a year old.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to land their head on the dashboard or window during the course of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head could be pulled into the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that younger children don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious type of car accident.

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

If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them 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 that particular seat.

When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use one until their vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should be 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 infant car seat uk 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 the infant car seat swivel car seat, they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own 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 into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child is the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it is able to support.

All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Placing children in the front seats can increase the chance of being injured during an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best child safety seat. You can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then choose a seat that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.