Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.

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Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over an area larger than the surface which minimizes the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seat for newborn seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups by teens will change the fact that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to hit with more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can convert them to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to pay close attention to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best car seats infant protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to turn their child's car seat as they get older, because it is more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves a baby facing forward, the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving the head could be forced back against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is often the most severe kind of accident where cars are involved.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. 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 they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

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

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster raises a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should be placed on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain 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 when used as boosters.

Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether if one is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in their place. You can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to find out if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

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 in the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from to a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back of a car for as long as they can with a child safety seat or booster seat that has 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 attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seats on sale car seat they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-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 seat of your vehicle. It is secured using 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 that has a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child reaches the weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining a tag attached to the seat.

If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If not, they should use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat for them. They can also check if your car seats by age seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.