Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. It's 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 fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.

When shopping for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This limits the risk of 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 it is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their kids have bigger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can alter this. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can switch to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height 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.

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible top rated baby car seats seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved into a booster. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to let you know when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is best car seat newborn to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they grow older, because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

If you crash with the top rated baby car seats facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to suffer whiplash. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of an accident. Depending on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the 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 changed from facing forward to rear at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limitations for the seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There isn't a set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.

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

Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is getting too tall for the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from the harness. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even die in a collision.

Back seat

All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly as long as they can. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear facing infant car seat-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on it.

All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not, they should use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then choose a seat that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.