Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until their 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 such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer, since they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.
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 rear-facing as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat as specified by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In fact, a child's head can exert up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in a collision -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. 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 can alter this. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to be struck with more force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can convert to a convertible seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. So, it's essential to follow the guidelines of the car seat manufacturer regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more comfortable. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head could be thrown by force against the seat in front and can cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger like infants.
A child 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 the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be pushed backwards against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason for this 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 accident.
Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car 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 face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limits for that particular seat.
Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no set age or height when kids can safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. The shoulder part of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should lie across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when one is available. Some require the car seat belt to secure them in their place. You can check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for a car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
All children should use a child safety or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its 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 no longer in the infant car seat , they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. Most of the time, these seats can be used for up to two years, or until your child is over the seat's highest weight and height limit. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag on it.
All older children should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Putting children in the front seat could increase the chance of being injured during an accident because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, whether it has a return policy.