Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should use their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they can use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When looking for a new seat consider features such as fabric that resists stains and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be 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 because they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. In reality children's heads can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat with a front view.
Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a kid who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens will change that. In the event of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which can cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their height limit first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the directions of the car seat manufacturer 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 need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more convenient. But they must 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 a crash because the head can be thrown back by force against the seat in front and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is especially true for smaller kids such as infants who are less than one year old.
A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window, in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head may be pulled back against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of accident where automobiles are involved.
The use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this stress on their necks. Additionally that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can switch from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face 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 the particular seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to travel in a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use one until the vehicle belt is properly fitted, and that can happen anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster raises a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.
Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether if available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read best car seat for newborn Push Chairs & Prams for the booster seat to understand how to use it.
Some parents may be tempted to let their three-year-old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the harness car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the limits of its weight and height they should change to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child outgrows 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. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the top weight and height recommendations of the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it is able to support.
If it is possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not, they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition you should not place them in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Putting children in the front seat can increase their chances of injury in a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also check if your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat, whether it has a policy for refunds.