Car Seats By Age (Lovewiki.Faith)

Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

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

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children forward facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current car seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their kids have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the case of a car crash, a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with greater force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can switch to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved into the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seat newborn uk protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to turn their child's infant car seat seat around as they get older, because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head can be thrown back by force against the seat's front and can cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or in front of the window during the course of a crash. Based on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head may be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head in place and reduce 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.

If you have a baby less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the particular seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit, they can be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it's time to get the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age limit or height at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt so that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back of a car as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat for travel car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in one infant car seat cheap seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches 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 is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a tag on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can support.

All children over the age of 18 should be in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then choose a seat that fits both your car and the child's height. If you can't try out the seat, whether it has a policy for refunds.