Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. Children should use their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the 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, think about features such as fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they distribute the impact force over a larger area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. infant car seat rear facing is why children who ride in a car seat that is facing to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their kids have stronger necks than older kids, so they can handle the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. However, it's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't as strong as a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and it's crucial to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle and always 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 enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more comfortable. They must remember, however, that rear-facing is the best option for children.
Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head can be thrown back by force against the seat's front and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under a year old.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or window in the event of an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head may be forced into the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which tends to be the most serious kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.
The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries because 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 forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for the specific seat.
Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to travel in a booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until the belt fits them correctly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster can increase the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide to ensure the belt is correctly placed.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.
Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether when 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 inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat since they're getting too tall for a car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child from the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even killed in a crash.
Back seat
All children should be in the back of a car for 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 who have exceeded the limits of its weight and height, should switch to a forward facing child restraint using a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are generally used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.
All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the chance of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the best child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.