car seats by age (click through the up coming website page)
Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. It’s recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer’s height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a new seat, look for features like fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer because they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This helps reduce spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they’re ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as it is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat after they’ve reached the height or weight limit of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.
Children’s head are large in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents think that their kiddos have necks that are stronger than older kids, so they’ll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn’t as strong as a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seats best car seat you can switch to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. So, it’s essential to follow the guidelines of the car seat manufacturer on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it’s time to place them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids’ car seats around as they grow older, because it seems more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
In a crash with the baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if a child’s neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks, like infants under one year old.
A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or in front of the window during the course of a crash. Depending on what type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. This is due to the fact that younger children don’t have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is often the most severe type of accident in which automobiles are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child’s head is stable and reduces strain on their necks. In addition that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.
When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer. Once they’ve outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them correctly, and that can happen anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is correctly placed.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It’s a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don’t provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle’s lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in position. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.
Some parents might be enticed to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat, as they’re becoming too tall for the car seat. It’s dangerous to “graduate” the child from a harness. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
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 tall for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they’re too tall for this type of seat.
When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat newborn car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or 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 equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child reaches the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.
All children over the age of 18 should be in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seats can increase the risk of being injured during an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It’s a good idea take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your best car seat newborn seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that’s compatible with your car and your child’s size. If you’re not able try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.