Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed for a specific age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they can use a booster until the belts are properly fitted, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are searching for a new seat look for features like fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be 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 are also safer since they spread the force of impact across a larger surface area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat with a front view.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with much more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. So, it's essential to follow the guidelines 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 need to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more practical. They must remember, however, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head could be thrown back by force against the seat in front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under one year old.
A forward-facing child is also more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of the course of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be hit against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.
Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious type of car accident.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable which reduces neck strain. In addition, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can change from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for the specific seat.
When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with tether. Once Push Chairs And Prams have outgrown this, it's time to get the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder part of the belt so it lies close to but not directly over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most common type is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide neck or head 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 when used as a booster.
Some 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. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual 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 growing too tall to fit into a harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in a crash.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as they can, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown the infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats can typically be used for up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest height and weight limit. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child reaches the height and weight recommendations of 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 that is attached to it.
If possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If not you can use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
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. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, check to whether it has a return policy.
