See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using

Car Seats by Age

Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes and shapes, but they're all designed to safeguard children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seats until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer because they disperse the force of an impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to change their children to forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality, a child's head can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in an accident -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter that. In the event of a car crash, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.

When your child outgrows their infant car seat rear facing car seat, you can convert them into a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's 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 have to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. It is best to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seat newborn protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often tempted to change their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

If you crash with a baby seat facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head could be hit against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to suffer whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids that aren't yet a year old.

A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving the head may be hit against the seat. This can cause a fractured skull or spinal chord.

The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that children who are younger don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious kind of car crash.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which 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 to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether as well as the weight and height limitations for that seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight or height limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to travel in a booster seat.

Seat booster

There isn't a set age or height at which children are able to safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster increases the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in a car. The shoulder part of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.

Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

Back seat

All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its height and weight limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby outgrows an infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing position. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat in a way 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, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag that is attached to the seat.

If it is possible it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the chance of getting injured in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and the child's height. If you can't try out a seat, find out if the seat has a return policy.