Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet 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 tall or the age of 10-12.
When shopping for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They are also safer because they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving 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 you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also growing, 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 an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a bigger child will likely be struck with more force. best car seats infant Push Chairs And Prams can lead to injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll require them to be moved to the booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around as they grow older, because it seems more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.
In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger like infants.
A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in an accident. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be pulled backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is often the most serious kind of accident where automobiles are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a baby less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for the specific seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to get a booster seat.
Booster seat
There isn't a set age or height at which children are able to safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use one until the belt fits them properly, and that can happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.
Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.
Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into a harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you own a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag on it.
If you can, all older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not, they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also check if your car seat has been recalled for problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that is suitable for your car and the child's height. If you can't try out a seat, whether it has a return policy.