See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a new chair, look for features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the force of impact across an area larger than the surface, which limits injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to go forward.
Children's head are large in relation to their body and growing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in an accident which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens can change the fact that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to be struck with much more force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to flip their baby's car seat as they get older, because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
In the event of a crash that involves an infant facing forward facing infant car seat, the neck is at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head may be hit against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved.
The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the stress on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by their car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it is time to move into a booster seat.
Booster seat
There isn't a set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters can be cheaper, however they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to an adult best car seat seat since the child is growing too tall for the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to two years, or until your child outgrows the seat's height and weight limit. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is securely secured in this location with 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. These seats are usually used until your child is 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it is able to support.
All children over the age of 18 must be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Placing children in the front seat could increase the chance of getting injured in a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also find out if your car seats newborn seat has been recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.
