Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety 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 manufacturer's weight or height limits. After that, they can use a booster until their belts are properly fitted and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When shopping for a new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over an area larger than the surface, which limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a front-facing car seat inserts for newborns seat.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seats by age seat that faces forward faster. 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 accident a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing 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 be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will have to transition them into the booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your car and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to change their children's car seats around when they grow older, because it is more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.

A child who is facing forward 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 the speed at which the car is moving, the head can be forced back against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous type of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to keep the kid's head stable and reduces strain on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.

Once your child is at 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 outgrown this, it is time to get a booster seat.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or height when kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. 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 a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it is near but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your best car seat for newborn uk to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors on your best car seat newborn uk, and also read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the harness car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" children from the harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should use the child safety or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown the infant car seat, you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag on the seat.

All older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seat can increase their chances of injury in a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, see if it has a return policy.