Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can use a booster until their vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When shopping for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they disperse the force of an impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into 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. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. In reality, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
infant carrier seat believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens will change the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with greater force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to 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 case of crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more comfortable. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
In a crash with a baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially true for younger children like infants.
A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason for this is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces the stress on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact will be 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 forward-facing to rear-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limits for that seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limit They can now be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the belt is properly fitted and that could take anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster raises the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters can be cheaper, however they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to 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 a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if available. Some require the car seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit into a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. If the belt is loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back of a car as long as they can with a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child is at the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or by examining a tag attached to the seat.
All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an active air bag. Putting children in the front seat could increase their chances of being injured during an accident, as 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 for 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 fits both your vehicle and the child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, whether it has a refund policy.