Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When looking for a new seat, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In fact, a child's head can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in an accident -- more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat with their backs to the side are at a higher danger of suffering fatal head injuries.

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

If your child is no longer in their infant car seat best car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. So, it's essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. It is best infant seat to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they grow older, because it's more convenient. But they should remember, that rear-facing is the best infant seat option for children.

Having a baby face forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head could be thrown back by force against the seat in front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head could be pulled backwards against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

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

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head in place and reduce neck strain. A child facing the rear will 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, and they are in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that particular seat.

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

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. Kids should use one until the belt fits them properly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster increases the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should be placed on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Certain 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 a booster.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in their place. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit into a harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat for travel Car Seat (Http://Ccnnews.Kr/Bbs/Board.Php?Bo_Table=Free&Wr_Id=141525), they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that also has a 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 seat of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by examining the tag that is attached to the seat.

If it is possible, all older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Sitting children in the front seat could increase their chances of injury in an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.