car seats by age; Check This Out,
Each cheap infant car seats seat is made for a specific age group. Children should use their car seat until they are at the manufacturer’s weight or height limits. After that, they can use a booster until their vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They’re also safer because they spread the force of impact across more of a larger area which reduces injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of moving their children forward-facing before they’re ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing car seat only after they’ve reached the height or weight limit of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children’s head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In reality children’s heads can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in an accident — more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. 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 can change the fact that. In the event of a car crash the head of a bigger child will likely be struck with more force. This can lead to brain and spinal cord injury.
If your child is outgrowing their travel infant car seat car seat, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child has reached their convertible car seat’s weight or height limit, you’ll need to move them to a booster. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of turn their child’s car seat as they get older, as it’s more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
In the event of a crash that involves a baby facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in an accident. Depending on what type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that children younger than one year old do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous type of car accident.
The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child’s head is stable, which reduces this stress on their necks. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less prone to 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 which 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 manufacturer’s guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the particular seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they’ve surpassed this, it is time to move into the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until their vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could take between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child’s height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It’s a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive however they don’t offer head or neck 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 an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to 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 enticed to let their 3 year old 30 pounds child immediately go to a booster seat, as they’re becoming too tall for a car seat. It’s dangerous to “graduate” the child from a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they’re too tall for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows the infant car seats car seat, they can be moved to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. 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 has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it is able to support.
All children older than 5 years old must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt for a vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller.
You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also check to find out if your child’s seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child’s size. If you’re unable to try the seat, whether it has a refund policy.
