Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a brand new car seat, think about features such as fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies. They are also developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. However, it's important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of teen push-ups will change the fact that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with more force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat, you can convert them to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. This is why it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to notify you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
In infant car seats best of a crash that involves an infant facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window, in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is traveling the head could be pulled into the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head in place and reduce neck strain. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.
When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the belt fits them properly, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters may be cheaper, however they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in their place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit in the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.
When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat you can switch them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with the option of rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years, or until your child reaches the seat's weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or by looking at the tag that is attached to it.
All older children should be in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If they aren't able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Placing children in the front seat can increase their chances of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, whether it has a return policy.