Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.

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Rear-facing

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

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 when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current seat as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their kids have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups done by teens can change that. In the event of a car seat newborn crash, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat rear facing car seat, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seats newborn seat or height limit, you'll need to move them to a booster. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of change their children's car seats around when they grow older, because it is more practical. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are an option that is safer for children.

In a crash with a baby facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent spinal damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window during an accident. Depending on what type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious type 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 child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that seat.

Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no set age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's 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 part of a belt must be placed so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, 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 kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into an adult car seat newborn seat since the child is growing too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" children from to a harness. If the belt is loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.

Back seat

All children should have the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat best car seat you can switch them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight 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 has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can be.

If possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not, they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.

You can bring 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 if your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to try a seat, check to find out if the seat has a refund policy.