See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing
Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. 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 you are searching for a new seat, consider features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They're also safer as they spread the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which minimizes the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. In reality the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their weight in an accident -- enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat facing towards the front are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their kids have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first, so it's important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child is at the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will require them to be moved into an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your car and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats around when they grow older because it's more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head could be thrown against the seat in front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet a year old.
A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head against the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of an accident. Based on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be hit against the seat. This can cause a fractured skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head stable which reduces neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to suffer head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can switch from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster.
Booster seat
There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could occur anytime 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 portion of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. 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 are cheaper but they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors on your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.
Parents may be enticed to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for a car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even die in an accident.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seats on sale car seat, they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that also has an open rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used for up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's maximum height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a tag on the car seats newborn seat will tell you the height and weight it can be.
If you can, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the best car seat for newborn uk if the airbag is activated. Placing children in the front seat can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.