What Car Seats By Age Should Be Your Next Big Obsession?
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made for a specific age group. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.
When you are searching for a new chair, look for features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect 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 reduces 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 to keep them rear-facing as long as it is possible. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are big in relation to their body, and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in the event of a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in an accident -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens 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 could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can convert them to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. In general, children will reach the height limit first and it's crucial to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you will need to move them to an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed by the idea of change their children's car seats when they grow older, because it is more convenient. But they should remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.
In a crash with a baby facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head could be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.
A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or window in the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be placed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because younger kids don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to 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 which can be turned from facing forward to rear at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a tether. Once best car seats for infants 've surpassed this, it is time to get a booster seat.
Seat booster
There isn't a set age or size at which kids can safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster helps a child increase their height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters can be cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.
Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in their place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors on your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child go straight to a booster seat since they're getting too tall for the car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
All children should have a child safety or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum height and weight limit. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can be.
All older children must be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Placing children in the front seats can increase their chances of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger 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 most suitable child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your car and the child's height. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.