Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. After that, they can utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like 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 collision. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across an area larger than the surface, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as is 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 car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who sit in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can alter that. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can convert them into a convertible car seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. This is why it is crucial to follow the directions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll need to move them into the booster. pushchairsandprams.uk have an integrated angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats around when they get older because it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the seat's front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger like infants.
A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in an accident. Based on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be hit against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and one year old. The reason is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.
The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by 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 that can be turned from facing forward to rear at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limit They can now be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. When they've reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Seat booster
There is no set age or size at which kids can safely stop using the booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until their vehicle belt fits them properly and that could happen anywhere from age 8 to 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats come with or without a backrest. The most common type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but 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 children in harness mode up to about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for 100 pounds.
Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors inside 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 an adult car seat since the child is becoming too tall to fit in the harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even killed in a collision.
Back seat
Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the 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.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used up to 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the top height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.
If possible, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If not then they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seats 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 take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, check to see if it has a return policy.