Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can utilize a booster until the belts are properly fitted and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact across a larger surface area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to go forward.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens will alter this. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size is likely to be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know that 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 ensure the best protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of turn their child's car seat as they get older, because it is more comfortable. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown back by force against the front seat and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.
A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in an accident. Based on the type of crash occurs 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.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and one year old. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of car crash.
Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the strain on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less prone to 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 time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.
When your child reaches the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a tether. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. infant car seat www.pushchairsandprams.uk should use one until the vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster raises the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with 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 booster seat is the high-back type, which 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, 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 from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.
Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, if available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in position. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors on your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.
Parents may be enticed to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in an accident.
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 who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the maximum weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag on the seat.
All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is active. Placing children in the front seat can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you are unable to test a seat, see if it has a return policy.