car seats by age (look at more info)

Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until their vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 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 equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted 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 rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and growing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents think that their kids have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat inserts for newborns seat sooner. But it's important to remember that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens will change this. In the event of a car crash, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with greater force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit, so it's 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 weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to notify you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat around as they get older, as it's more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you crash with an infant car seat newborn facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent spine damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller such as infants who are less than one year old.

A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in a crash. Depending on what kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This can cause a fractured skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because children younger than one year do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most severe kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the stress on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be turned from forward-facing to rear-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 manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to travel in the booster seat.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or size at which kids are able to 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 increases the height of a child, so 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 over. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.

Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to let their 3 year old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.

Back seat

Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height 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 with a rear-facing seat. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's highest height and weight limit. Install the best car seat newborn 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 inserts for newborns seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child reaches the weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at the tag on it.

If you can the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is in use. Putting children in the front seat could increase the risk of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the best car seats infant child safety seat for them. They can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, check to see if it has a refund policy.