car seats by age (https://www.medflyfish.com/)

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer as they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body and growing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat that is facing to the side are at a higher risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can switch to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will need to move them into an adult booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seats protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to flip their lightweight baby car seat's car seat around as they get older, simply because it's more convenient. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

If you crash with an infant facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head could be placed against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving the head may be pushed into 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 lbs and 1 year of age. The reason is that younger children don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious type of car accident.

Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it is time to get the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster increases the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. The shoulder portion of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not over. 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 are available with or without backrests. The most popular type 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, but they don't provide head or neck 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 as boosters.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit in the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly 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 be moved to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one best car seats seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can be.

If it is possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. In addition you should not place them in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Placing children in the front seat could increase the risk of injury in an accident, as 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 to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you can't try out the seat, find out if the seat has a refund policy.