See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using

Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to protect children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until their vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer, as they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the idea 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 you can. That means moving them 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.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body, and growing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat with their backs to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change this. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is likely to hit with greater force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can change to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. This is why 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 reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to flip to face forward. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head could be thrown back by force against the seat in front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger like infants.

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

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head in place which reduces neck strain. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed 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 you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to travel in a booster seat.

Seat booster

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

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

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.

Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether when one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is getting too tall for a harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seats on sale car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. These seats are generally good infant car seats for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle-seat, install the car seat for newborn safety seat in a way that it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches tall or until your child is at the height and weight recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it is able to support.

If you can, all older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're unable to try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with a return policy.