car seats by age [click to investigate]

Each car seat is designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. After that, they can use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a brand new car seat, think about features like fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over more of a larger area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat when they've reached their maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is enough to cause a deadly injury. That's why young children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with more force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch them to forward facing infant car seat-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to change their baby seat's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more convenient. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are an option that is safer for children.

If you crash with an infant facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head could be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to land their head on the dashboard or on the window during the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is moving, the head can be pushed into the seat and may break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old 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 in which cars are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether and the height and weight limits for that seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the belt fits them properly, and that can happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster increases the height of a child so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, however they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to let their 3 year old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing restraint with harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows an portable infant car seat car seat they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat newborn insert seat with a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining the tag that is attached to the seat.

If you can, all older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat if there's an air bag that is in use. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during collisions since their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat for them. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.