car seats by age (navigate to this web-site)

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children sit in their car seat until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the impact force over 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 as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their kiddos have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups by teens can change that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is likely to be struck with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seats cheap car seat, you can convert to a convertible seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in 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

Parents are often tempted to change their lightweight baby car seat's car seat as they get older, because it is more comfortable. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you crash with an infant car seat that swivels facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to land their head on the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of an accident. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be hit against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car crash.

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limits for the seat.

When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a tether. When they've reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Booster seat

There is no set age or height when kids can safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt so it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether if available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you 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 an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even die in a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a car for as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear facing newborn car seat seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height 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 newborn insert 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 of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If not, they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured during a collision because their bodies are smaller.

It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying, make sure it has a return policy.