car seats by age (Going Listed here)

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to protect children according to their age. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use a booster seat until their vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height 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 easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they spread the force of impact over a larger area. This limits spinal cord injuries.

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 you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to transition forward.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies. They are also developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter this. In the event of a car accident the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child outgrows their cheap infant car seats car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.

If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older, because it's 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 could be thrown by force against the front seat and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids, like infants under one year old.

A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head against the dashboard or in front of the window during a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be forced back against the seat and may break the skull or 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 do not have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe type of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. A child facing the rear will 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 infant car seat uk seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it it's time to travel with a booster.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. 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 lie across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive, but they don't provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from to a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in a crash.

Back seat

Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat best car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats are usually good 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 is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child is the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can be.

All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle at the very least. If not, they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Placing children in the front seats can increase the chance of being injured during a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the best car seat child safety seat. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.