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Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to utilize 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 new chair, look for features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

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

Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only after they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in an accident -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. 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 alter this. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head will likely be hit with more force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can convert them into a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. So, it's important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best infant carrier car seat security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats when they get older because it is more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves a baby facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head can be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under one year old.

A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because children younger than one year do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident in which cars are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less prone to head injuries as the impact is 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 changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limit, they can be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height when kids can safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This could happen 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. It also positions the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in their place. You can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

When your lightweight baby car seat is outgrowing the infant car seat, you can switch them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to two years, or until your child outgrows the seat's highest weight and height 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 and is tall enough, they can be put in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can be.

All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If not, they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the risk of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the best car seats child safety seat for them. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your car and the child's height. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.