Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet 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.
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Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer as they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.
Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact children's heads can exert up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children 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 larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter this. In the case of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that will inform you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to change their children's car seats around as they grow older, because it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
In a crash with an infant facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head can be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window during the course of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.
pushchairsandprams require kids to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year of 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 serious type of car accident.
The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces the stress on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less prone to head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
When you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can switch from front-facing to rear, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a car seat you can allow them to be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've outgrown this, it's time to travel in a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's 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 upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, however they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.
Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether if available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the limits of its weight and height, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint that has a 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 an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at 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 grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag that is attached to it.
If it is possible, all older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not, they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is in use. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured in collisions because their bodies are smaller.
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. They can also check to find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then purchase one that fits both your vehicle and the child's height. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.