Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When shopping for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injuries in a crash. They are also safer, since they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
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 to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in a collision -- more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat that is facing to the side are at a higher danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents think that their kids have bigger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter that. In the event of a crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This could result in brain and spinal cord injury.
If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that allows them to stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that will inform you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and can cause permanent injury 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 smaller kids that aren't yet one year old.
A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head could be pulled backwards against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one 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 tends to be the most severe kind of accident where automobiles are involved.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head in place and reduce neck strain. Additionally the rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.
If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat.
When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt so it is close to but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. cheap infant car seats is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.
Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when available. Some require the car seat belt to secure 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 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 into an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from the harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during an accident.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the limits of its weight and height 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 has outgrown an infant car seat you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats typically last 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 that it can be secured tightly in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches tall or until your child outgrows the weight and height limits of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it is able to support.
If possible, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
It is 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. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try the seat, see if it has a refund policy.