Car Seats By Age Tools To Help You Manage Your Day-To-Day Life
Car Seats by Age Each car seat is made for a specific age group. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. When looking for a new chair, consider features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered. Rear-facing Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer because they distribute the impact force over a larger area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord. Parents are often tempted to shift their children into 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 tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing. Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. In reality the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision — more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries. Many parents think that their kids have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries. When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can convert to a convertible seat that allows them to stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode. When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will need to move them to an adult booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best protection for your child. Forward-facing Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats when they get older because it seems more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children. In a crash with an infant facing towards the front the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as 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 the event of a crash. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be hit against the seat. This can cause a fractured skull or spinal cord. The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and one year old. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved. Using a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces stress on their necks. In addition, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat. When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat. Once your child has reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel with a forward-facing seat with a tether. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster. Booster seat There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old. A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not above. newborn car seat of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not over the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide to ensure the belt is placed correctly. Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster. Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether if available. Some require the car seat belt to hold them in their place. You can check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, you should 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 a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's dangerous to “graduate” the child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in a crash. Back seat All children should ride in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as is possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat. Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. 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 place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are generally used until your child is the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can be. All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is activated. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured during collisions because their bodies are smaller. It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the best child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat prior to purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.