car seats by age (Www.mecosys.com)

Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children according to their age. It is 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 fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer, because they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This reduces the risk of the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted 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 tell you when your child is ready to transition forward.

Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies. They are also developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times their body weight in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents think that their kids have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens can change that. In the case of a car crash, a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with much more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child has outgrown their cheap infant car seats car seat, you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you will have to transition them into the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In a crash with an best infant seat facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks 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 a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head may be hit against the seat. This could result in fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is often the most serious type of accident in which automobiles are involved.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

When you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for the seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now travel in a forward-facing infant car seat newborn seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to travel in the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.

Certain 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. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, you should read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child 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 of a vehicle for as long as they can 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 its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your lightweight baby car seat is no longer in an infant car seats best car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat so it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until the child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it is able to support.

All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the risk of getting injured in a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.