Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety of shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. After that, they can use a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly, usually 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 fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the force of impact over more of a larger area 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 to keep them rear-facing for as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat inserts for newborns seat that is facing to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups done by teens can change the fact that. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their cheap infant car seats car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you will have to transition them to an adult booster. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that informs you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best car seat for newborn uk protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of turn their babies' car seats around as they grow older, because it's more practical. But they should remember, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown by force against the seat in front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.

A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Depending on what kind of crash is occurring 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 require that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious kind of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the stress on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to 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 time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster helps a child increase their height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt so that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they don't provide head or neck 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 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.

Back seat

Every child should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the 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 baby is no longer in an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child reaches 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 seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child is at the top rated baby car seats weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag on it.

If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not then they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat could increase their chances of being injured during an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then buy one that is compatible with your best car seats and the child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, whether it has a return policy.