See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can use a booster until the belts are properly fitted and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from a crash. They're also safer as they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface which reduces the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children forward-facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to transition forward.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups done by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first and it's crucial to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat for newborn seat, it's time to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your car and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around when they get older because it is more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
If you crash with a baby facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger like infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to land their head on the dashboard or window during a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed back against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. The reason is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious type of car accident.
The use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces stress on their necks. In addition the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-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 guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.
When your child reaches the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to travel in a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no magic age or height when kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not 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 as boosters.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether in the event that one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into an adult car seat since the child is growing too tall to fit in the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a car seats newborn for as long as is possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall 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. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are usually used until your child is the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag on the seat.
If possible the older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Putting children in the front seat can increase the risk of being injured during a crash, because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seats newborn seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also find out if your car seat has been recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.