car seats by age, more info,

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can use a booster until their belts are properly fitted typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

If you are looking for a new seat look for features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from a crash. They are also safer, since they disperse the force of an impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted 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. This means that they should move to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and growing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their weight in an accident -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can change the fact that. In the event of a car crash, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with greater force. This could result in brain and spinal cord injury.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the best car seats newborn seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll require them to be moved to an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your car and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of turn their babies' car seats around when they get older because it's more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

In a crash with the baby facing towards the front the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in the event of a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This can cause fractures to 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 children younger than one year don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is often the most severe kind of accident where automobiles are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces the stress on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat with a tether. Once they've outgrown it it's time to travel with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster raises a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most popular type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in position. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from the harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back of a car for as long as 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 the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one best car seats newborn seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child reaches the maximum height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it is able to support.

All older children should be in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not then they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Sitting children in the front seats can increase the chance of being injured during a crash, because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best car seat for newborn child safety seat. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, whether it has a policy for refunds.