Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should use 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 typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a brand new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they distribute the impact force over a larger area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

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 rear-facing for as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have necks that are stronger than older kids, so they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as 5th percentile kids and no amount of push-ups for teens will change the fact that. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in brain and spinal cord injury.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat in front seat car seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into 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 flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seats for newborns security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they get older because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in a best car seat seat puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head could be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet a year old.

A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be pulled into the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this is that children younger than one year old 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 help keep the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. A child who is rear-facing will also 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 turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat with tether. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster.

Booster seat

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

A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use 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 to fit into a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in a crash.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety or booster seat correctly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its height and weight limits should be moved to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown an infant 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 typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child is at the height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.

If possible, all older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured during collisions since their bodies are smaller.

You can take your child to an inspection station or newborn car seat insert seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.