Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that resists stains, 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 spread the force of impact across a larger surface area which minimizes spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body and growing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact, a child's head can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter this. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat uk car seat, you can change to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into an adult booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. It is best car seats for newborns uk to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat as they get older, because it is more convenient. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is the best car seat newborn option for children.

In a crash with the baby facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially true for younger children like infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is traveling the head may be pulled backwards against the seat and could fracture the skull or the spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most dangerous kind of car crash.

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries, as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child younger 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 point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for the seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt fits them properly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster raises a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether in the event that one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to see if you can use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their three-year-old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in a crash.

Back seat

All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat that swivels car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it can support.

All children over the age of 18 should be in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If they aren't able to utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the risk of injury in an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. You can then buy one that fits both your car and the child's height. If you're unable to try a seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.