car seats by age (her response)

Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seats until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then get a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they disperse the force of an impact over a larger area. This limits spinal cord injuries.

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 as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid and no amount of teen push-ups will change that. In the case of a car accident the head of a larger child is likely to hit with greater force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can change them into a convertible car seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to pay close attention to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll need to move them to the booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. It is best car seat newborn to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in the event of a crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older because it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In the event of a crash that involves an infant car seats on sale facing toward the rear the neck is at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat and 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 applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under one year old.

A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or window in the event of an accident. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is traveling, the head can be forced backwards against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which tends to be the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.

Utilizing a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable, which reduces this strain on their necks. Furthermore that a child who is rear-facing is less prone to head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not to use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for the seat.

When your child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat with a tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster can increase the height of a child to ensure that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common 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 more affordable but they don't offer neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in position. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents might be tempted to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall for the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as they can with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded the limits of its weight and height and should be switched to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.

When your child is no longer able to fit 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 generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so it is secured in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag that is attached to the seat.

All children older than 5 years old must be seated in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If they can't utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat could increase their chances of getting injured in an accident 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. You can also find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.