Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When looking for a new chair, consider features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They also offer greater safety, since they spread the force of impact over a larger area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as it is possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- enough to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a best car seats for newborns uk seat facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. 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 push-ups for teens can change that. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

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

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will require them to be moved into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more practical. They must remember, however that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves an cheap infant car seats facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids such as infants who are less than a year old.

A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head may be pulled into the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is often the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces stress on their necks. In addition that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by body of the 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 if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that particular seat.

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

Booster seat

There is no magic age or height at which children can safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use one until the vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster increases the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near but not directly over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is risky. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back of a vehicle for as long as possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. 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 restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum height and weight 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 is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are usually used until your child is the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag on the seat.

If possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 use a booster seat or lap belt. If they aren't able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.