Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety of shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they spread the force of impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children forward facing 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 they should be moved to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries 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 that faces forward earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will alter that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

When your child outgrows their infant car seats on sale car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important 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 or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. Make sure to use a booster in the rear of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seat newborn uk security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In a crash with an portable infant car seat facing forward the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them like infants.

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

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. The reason for this is that younger children don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious type of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this stress on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to face the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now be in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use one until the belt fits them properly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to about 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, in the event that it is available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in their place. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, 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 to an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall for a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as they can, 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 weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing seat. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and 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 usually used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can support.

All children over the age of 18 must be seated in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not then they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to 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 in 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. They can also check to find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.