10 Unexpected Car Seats By Age Tips
Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It's recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.
When shopping for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across a larger surface area which reduces the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.
Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision -- more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children who ride in a car seat that is facing to the side are at a higher danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents think that their children have stronger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. It is important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens can change this. In the case of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can change to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to place them in a booster seat. Most booster seats have a built-in angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip to face forward. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed by the idea of flip their baby's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them like infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window during a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head could be forced backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car crash.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable which reduces neck strain. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the height and weight limits for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with tether. When they've reached that point, it's time to travel with a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use one until the belt is properly fitted, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
good infant car seats increases the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should lie across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.
Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in position. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall for a harness seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from to a harness. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible, using 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 surpassed its weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown the infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats are usually 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 of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until the child reaches 57 inches in height or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag that is attached to it.
If you can the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't, they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there's an active air bag. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured during a collision because their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you are unable to test the seat, whether it has a refund policy.