car seats by age (site)

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

If you are looking for a new seat look for features like fabric that resists stains and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They're also safer as they spread the force of impact across more of a larger area which minimizes the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing car seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In fact, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as a 5th percentile kid and no amount of teen push-ups can change this. In the event of a car crash, a larger child's head will likely be struck with greater force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat cheap car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll have to transition them to the booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to change to face forward. Use a booster only at the back of your car and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to change their baby's car seat around as they get older, because it is more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

In a crash with an infant car seats on sale facing toward the rear, the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger like infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head may be pulled into the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. This is because children younger than one year do not have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.

Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the stress on their necks. In addition that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit, they can be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the top weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've surpassed this, it is time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There isn't a set age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use one until their vehicle belt fits them properly, and that can happen anytime between age 8 and 13.

A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit upright in cars. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available 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 great option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

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

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is too loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a vehicle for as long as they can, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years or until your child reaches the seat's highest weight and height limit. 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 outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches tall or until your child outgrows the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.

If you can, all older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not, they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the chance of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best car seats for newborns uk child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're unable to try a seat, check to whether it has a refund policy.