Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.
When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact across more of a larger area which minimizes spinal cord injuries.
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 as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat after they've reached the height or weight limit of their current car seat, according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change this. In the event of a car crash the head of a bigger child will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in brain and spinal cord injury.
When your child has outgrown their best infant car seat car seat, you can convert to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.
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 inbuilt angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch 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 most secure security for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more practical. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown back by force against the seat's front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for smaller kids, like infants under a year old.
A child 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 the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is the most severe kind of accident where cars are involved.
The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. In addition the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can change from rear to forward-facing, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat They can now travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it is time to get the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no magic age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster increases the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in the car. It also places the shoulder part of the belt in a way that it is near but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, in the event that one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Check 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 know how to use it.
Some parents may be tempted to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even die in an accident.
Back seat
All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Nania Children Booster Seat Beline Mickey - Group 1/2/3 who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown the infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it is able to support.
If it is possible the older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Sitting children in the front seats can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, see if it has a refund policy.