See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using

Car Seats by Age

Each car seat is designed for a specific age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to utilize 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 shopping for a new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They are also safer as they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to go forward.

Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and is still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. In reality the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens will change this. In the event of a car crash the head of a bigger child will likely be struck with greater force. This could result in brain and spinal cord injury.

If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can switch to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your 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 get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to change to face forward. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat 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 to turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you crash with an infant car seats cheap facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent spinal damage. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.

A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in a crash. Depending on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious type of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.

When your child reaches the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or height when kids can safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

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

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back, which 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 cheaper, but they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents may be tempted to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from the harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a car as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown the weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

After your lightweight baby car seat outgrows an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can place them in a front-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it can support.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not then they should use a back seat restraint located 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 seat can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best car seats for infants child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.