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 maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact over more of a larger area which minimizes spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat after they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality children's heads can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in the event of a collision. This is enough to cause a deadly injury. That's why young children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat with a front view.
Many parents believe that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens will change the fact that. In the event of a car crash, the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seats uk car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into an adult booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that informs you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat as they get older, because it is more comfortable. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
If you crash with an infant facing forward the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can happen even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be pushed into the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious type of car accident.
The harness and tether will help keep the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now be in a forward-facing car seats newborn seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top rated baby car seats weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them properly and that could take anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit upright in cars. The shoulder portion of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most popular model 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 less expensive but they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.
Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that one is available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in position. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.
Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child immediately go to a booster seat since they're getting too tall for a car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. Usually, these seats can be used for up to two years, or until your child reaches the seat's height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are typically used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag on the seat.
All children older than 5 years old should be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the best car seat newborn child safety seat. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.