Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seats until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force over an area larger than the surface which reduces spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. In reality children's heads could generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. However, it's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter this. In the case of a car accident the head of a bigger child will likely be hit with more force. This can lead to brain and spinal cord injury.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can switch to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches their convertible car seat's weight or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to notify you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back seat 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
Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats around when they grow older, because it is more convenient. But they should remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.
A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the front seat and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window during an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving the head could be forced into the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. In addition, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight or height limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to get a booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no magic age or height at which children are able to safely stop using the 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 that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.
Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors inside your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.
Parents may be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat since they're getting too tall for the car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even die in a crash.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they are able to. please click for source who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed 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 with a rear-facing position. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at the tag on the seat.
All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then choose a seat that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.