See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of

Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get an extra seat until the vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

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Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across more of a larger area which reduces spinal cord injuries.

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

The heads of children are huge in relation to their bodies and growing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a deadly injury. That's why young children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

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

When your child outgrows their infant car seat that swivels car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats when they get older because it's more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

In a crash with a baby facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller that aren't yet one year old.

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

The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous type of car accident.

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

If you have a child younger than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether and the height and weight limits for the seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their infant car seats best seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

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

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. 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 with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to find out if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from the harness. If the belt is loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a vehicle 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 who have exceeded the weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat rear facing car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one infant car seat newborn seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.

All older children should be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the chance of getting injured in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also find out if your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, check to find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.