Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to use a booster until the belts are properly fitted and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer, as they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This helps reduce spinal cord injuries.

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 rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat when they've reached their maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens can change that. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be struck with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat for travel car seat you can change to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their maximum height first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the car seat regarding when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to change to face forward. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of change their children's car seats around as they get older because it seems more convenient. But they should remember that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

In a crash with a baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head could be placed against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to suffer whiplash. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

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 the speed at which the car is traveling the head could be forced backwards against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious type of car accident.

Utilizing a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces strain on their necks. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are 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 if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for the seat.

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat newborn seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get the booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use one until the belt is properly fitted and that could take anywhere from age 8 to 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child so that they are able to sit upright in a car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back, which 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 less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.

Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to hold them in position. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to find out 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 due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit in the harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an portable infant car seat car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to two years or until your child is over the seat's highest height and weight limit. Install the infant car seat for travel safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child is 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can be.

All older children should be in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition you should not place them in the front seat when there's an active air bag. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the chance of injury in an accident 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 right child safety seat. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.