Car Seats by AgeEach car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When looking for a new seat, look for features like fabrics that are resistant to staining and removable pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the idea 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 for as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current car seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups by teens will change this. In the event of a crash the head of a bigger child is likely to be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.
When your child has outgrown their
infant car seat rear facing car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and therefore it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.
When your child reaches the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. It is best to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to switch their kids' car seats around as they get older because it's more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head can be thrown against the front seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for smaller kids, like infants under a year old.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of 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 break the skull or spinal cord.
Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which is the most severe kind of accident where cars are involved.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight 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 when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in cars. The shoulder portion 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 across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your
infant car seat rear facing to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors on your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even die in a crash.
Back seat
All children should use a child safety or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its weight and height limits should be moved 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 the
infant car seat rear facing infant car seats that swivel seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to two years or until your child is over the seat's highest weight and height limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it is able to support.
All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not you can use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. In addition you should not place them in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Putting children in the front seats can increase the chance of injury in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with a return policy.
