Car Seats by AgeCar seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
When you are searching for a new chair, look for features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area, which limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their kids have necks that are stronger than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid and no amount of teen push-ups can 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 outgrows their
infant car seats car seat newborn seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. So, it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the car seat regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child is at the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into a booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat has been correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is
best car seat for newborn to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
Having a baby face forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown against the seat's front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for smaller kids such as infants who are less than a year old.
A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is moving, the head can be pushed backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.
Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't 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 use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, you should read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the height and weight limits for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've outgrown this, it is time to travel in a booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt fits them properly and that could happen anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster increases the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most common type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether in the event that one is 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 use them.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. However, 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 a crash.
Back seat
All children should be in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an
top rated infant car seats car seat you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are usually good 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 is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child is 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to it.
All older children should be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not then they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during collisions since their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. Then, you can buy one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.