Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children sit in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
If you are looking for a new seat, look for features like fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This limits 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 for as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached their maximum weight or height 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 in the event of a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat that is facing forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups by teens will change this. In the event of a car crash, a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you'll require them to be moved into a booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to change to forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat around as they get older, simply because it's more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.
In a crash with a baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks, like infants under one year old.
www.pushchairsandprams.uk facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window, in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving, the head can be pushed into the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous kind of car crash.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable which reduces neck strain. 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 less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no magic age or height at which children can safely stop using a booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt is properly fitted, and that can happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.
Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in a crash.
Back seat
All children should use a child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.
When your baby is outgrowing the infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will tell you the height and weight it can be.
All older children must be seated in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, see if it has a return policy.