Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They're also safer as they spread the force of impact over an area larger than the surface which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving 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 you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to go forward.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a best car seats infant seat facing forward sooner. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens can change this. In the event of a car seat inserts for newborns accident the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can change to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will have to transition them to the booster. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to inform you when the seat has been properly installed and is ready for flipping into 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 a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats by age seats around as they grow older because it is more practical. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

If you crash with an infant car seats uk facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head against the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling the head may be forced into the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most dangerous type of car accident.

Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use it until the belt fits them properly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster raises a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether in the event that one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. You can check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Some parents might be tempted to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should have a child safety or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the best car seats for newborns safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are generally used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag that is attached to it.

If you can, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front if the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase their chances of injury in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try the seat, see if it has a refund policy.