car seats by age (Learn Even more Here)

Each car seat is designed for a specific age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. After that, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

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Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the force of impact over a larger surface area, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to transition forward.

Children's heads are big in relation to their bodies and growing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident, which 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 front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups will change the fact that. In the case of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with greater force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat best car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. This is why it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back 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 enticed to change their baby's car seat around as they get older, because it is more convenient. They must remember, however, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

If you crash with a baby facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or in front of the window during a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be forced backwards against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they weigh 20 pounds and one year old. The reason for this is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious kind of car accident.

The harness and tether will help keep the child's head in place which reduces neck strain. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by 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 facing forward to rear 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 from the manufacturer will indicate whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the specific seat.

Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

Seat booster

There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt fits them properly, and that can happen 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. The shoulder portion of a belt must be placed so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats come with or without a backrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in their place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is growing too tall for the harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as they can 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 that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seats car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats typically last 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 seat newborn insert safety seat so it is securely secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can be.

If possible, all older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Placing children in the front seats can increase the chance of being injured during an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right 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's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.