Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular 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 of their vehicle fit properly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a new seat, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and removable pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer, because they spread the force of impact over a larger area. This reduces the risk of 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 in rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why 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 larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups by teens can change this. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with more force. This can result in brain and spinal cord injury.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can change to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you that the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seats infant protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats around as they get older because it's more practical. But they should remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.

Having a baby face forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown back by force against the seat in front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially true for younger children like infants.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window during the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving the head may be forced into the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because younger kids do not have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which tends to be the most serious kind of accident in which cars are involved.

The use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the stress on their necks. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer 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 that can be turned from facing forward to rear at any time, you should 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.

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

Booster seat

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

A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt must be set so that it sits 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 built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good infant car seats choice for vehicles with low backs, and no headrests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and also 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 getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from the harness. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even die in an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown the infant car seat, you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with a rear-facing option. Usually, these seats can be used for up to two years, or until your child is over the seat's height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat newborn insert seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it can be.

All older children should be in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If not, they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Putting children in the front seats can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic for assistance in selecting and installing the best car seats for newborns uk child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you can't try out a seat, find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.