Car Seats by Age
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their 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 attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.
If you are looking for a new seat, look for features like fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they can handle the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to be struck with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to notify you when the seat has been properly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best security for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around as they get older because it seems more practical. But they should remember, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.
If you crash with the baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.
A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head on the dashboard or window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving, the head can be forced back against the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.
Using a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.
When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel with a forward-facing seat with tether. When best car seat newborn reached that point, it's time to travel with a booster.
Seat booster
There is no magic age or height at which children can safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use it until the belt fits them properly and that could take anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as boosters.
Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during a crash.
Back seat
All children should have the child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child outgrows the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it is able to support.
If possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not, they should use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front if the airbag is activated. Sitting children in the front seat can increase their chances of getting injured in a crash, because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.