In Which Location To Research Car Seats By Age Online
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a brand new car seat, consider features like fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer as they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted by the idea 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. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.
Children's head are large in relation to their body and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents think that their kids have bigger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups will change the fact that. 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.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to place them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch to face forward. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more comfortable. But they must remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head can be thrown by force against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is moving 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 of age. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious type of car accident.
The harness and tether will help keep the child's head in place which reduces neck strain. In addition the rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the specific seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to move into the booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. 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. best infant car seat of a belt must be positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is correctly placed.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters can be less expensive but they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.
Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether if one is available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in their place. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle to find out if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit in a harness seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child from the harness is risky. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in an accident.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back of a car for as long as is possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. 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 and is tall enough, they can be put in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child is the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can be.
If it is possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured during a collision because their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, find out if the seat has a return policy.