Car Seats by Age
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children according to their age. Children should use their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that can withstand staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as is possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their maximum weight or height of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This can lead to brain and spinal cord injury.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. So, it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the car seat regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. You should only 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 enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.
A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in the event of a crash. Depending on good infant car seats of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving the head may be forced backwards against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is often the most serious kind of accident in which cars are involved.
The harness and tether will help keep the child's head in place which reduces neck strain. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you 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 with a forward-facing seat with a tether. When they've outgrown this, it is time to travel in the booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them properly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide 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 a booster.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether if one is available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents may be tempted to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat because they're growing too tall for a car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough, children can be seriously injured or even die in a crash.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward facing child restraint with harness until they attain 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 all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats typically last 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 in a way that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child is 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can support.
All older children should be in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check to find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.