Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children sit in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.

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Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the idea of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality, a child's head could generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can change this. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child outgrows their infant carrier seat car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible rotating infant car seat seat or height limit, you will have to transition them into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is best car seats for newborns uk to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seats for newborns protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats when they grow older, because it is more convenient. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or window during an accident. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving, the head may be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal chord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is because younger kids don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe kind of accident in which cars are involved.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their 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 front-facing to rear be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will tell 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 outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can be in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors on your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in an accident.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a car as long as is possible with 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 surpassed its height and weight limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat rear facing car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it is able to support.

If it is possible the older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seats can increase the chance of getting injured in a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled for problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you are unable to test a seat, check to find out if the seat has a refund policy.