Car Seats by Age
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children according to their age. It is recommended that children sit in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use a booster seat until their vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a brand new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
best car seats infant -facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact over more of a larger area, which limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge in relation to their bodies and growing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury 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 are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their kiddos have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups by teens can change this. In the event of a crash the head of a bigger child is likely to be hit with more force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. This is why it is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to flip their baby's car seat around as they get older, because it is more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing is the best option for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller such as infants who are less than a year old.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in the event of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous type of car accident.
Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a baby less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.
When your child reaches 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 have outgrown this, it is time to get the booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt fits them properly, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to about 65 pounds, and later 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, in the event that one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3-year old, 30 pound 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. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during an accident.
Back seat
All children should be in the back seat 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 large for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last 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 no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child reaches the height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on the seat.
If possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 use a booster seat or lap belt. If they can't then they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with a return policy.