car seats by age (look at this now)

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until their vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When looking for a brand new car seat, consider features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the impact force over an area larger than the surface which reduces injuries 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 when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. In fact, a child's head could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in an accident -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children 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 baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups 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 result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their portable infant car seat car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your best car seats seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to notify you when the seat has been properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best infant seat security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they grow older because it is more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you crash with a baby facing forward the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head against 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 moving the head could be pushed backwards against the seat and may break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old 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 when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.

When your child is past 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. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Seat booster

There isn't a set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type, which provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide 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 later as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into an adult car seat since the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in a crash.

Back seat

All children should sit in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years or until your child is over the seat's highest height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are usually used until your child is 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will tell you the height and weight it can support.

All older children should be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Placing children in the front seat could increase their chances of getting injured in an accident, as the force of impact is 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 choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your car and the child's height. If you can't try out the seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.