See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using

Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When shopping for a new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across a larger surface area, which limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often enticed to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to go forward.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat that is facing forward are at the greatest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens can change that. In the case of a car crash, the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will need to move them into the booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seat newborn protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you 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. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller that aren't yet a year old.

A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in an accident. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is moving the head could be forced back against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most dangerous kind of car crash.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a tether. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster helps a child increase their height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common type is a Nania Easyfix High Back Booster Seat - France-made-back booster which offers neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters can be less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as a booster.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that it is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are 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 three-year-old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the harness car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even killed in a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. Usually, these seats can be used for up to two years, or until your child is over the seat's maximum height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint using a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the maximum weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag on it.

All older children should be in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front if the airbag is active. Putting children in the front seats can increase the chance of being injured during a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the best child safety seat. You can also determine whether your car seat has been recalled due to flaws or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying, make sure it has a return policy.