See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using
car seats by age (valetinowiki.racing)
Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.
When looking for a new seat look for features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that are removable that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which reduces the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of 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 is possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are growing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in a collision -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat that is facing towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. However, it's important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter this. In the case of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with much more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat best car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that allows them to stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.
When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will have to transition them to an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seat infant protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats when they grow older because it seems more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
In a crash with the baby facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pulled backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which tends to be the most serious kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which 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 of the manufacturer will inform you whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.
Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat with tether. Once they've outgrown it it's time to travel with a booster.
Seat booster
There is no magic age or height at which children are able to safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use it until the vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt so it is close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to about 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in their place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual 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.
Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit into a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in a crash.
Back seat
All children should be in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its 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.
When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seats uk car seat you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can support.
If it is possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If they can't then they should use the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Placing children in the front seat could increase the risk of injury in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.