Car Seats by AgeEach car seat is designed to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that resists 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 collision. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and growing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact children's heads could generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child and no amount of teen push-ups will change the fact that. In the event of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with much more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child has outgrown their
infant car seat for travel car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you that the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is
best car seats to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around when they get older because it's more convenient. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.
In a crash with the baby facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids, like infants under a year old.
A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of an accident. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most severe kind of accident where cars are involved.
Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces strain on their necks. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a baby less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their
newborn car seat seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the belt is properly fitted, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some 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 boosters.
Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in their place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an
infant car seats uk car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with the option of rear-facing. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint using a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag on it.
All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of being injured during an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also see if your child's
car seats newborn seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.