Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children based on their age. Children should use their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. After that, they can 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 shopping for a new car seat newborn insert seat, think about features like fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to transition forward.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the event of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seats best car seat, you can change to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in 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 case of crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around when they get older because it is more convenient. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the front seat and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than one year old.

A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving the head may be pushed backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. The reason is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable which reduces neck strain. A child facing the rear will be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether and the height and weight limits for that seat.

Once your child is at the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them properly and that could happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then 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 into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall for a harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

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

After your baby outgrows an infant car seats uk car seat they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. Usually, these seats can be used for up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a forward-facing restraint using a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining a tag attached to it.

All older children must be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not then they should use the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is active. Placing children in the front seat could increase the chance of getting injured in a crash, because 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 to assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also check to see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with a return policy.