What Experts On Car Seats By Age Want You To Know?
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is specifically designed for a specific age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to 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 brand new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed and equipment that is easy to clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They are also safer since they distribute the force of impact across a larger surface area, which limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to shift their children 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. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to go forward.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents think that their children have bigger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid and no amount of push-ups for teens can change this. In the case of a car accident, the head of a larger child is likely to hit with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.
If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can switch to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually reach their height limit first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when to switch them to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only 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 enticed by the idea of change their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
Having a baby face forward in the 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 damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. infant car seats on sale is particularly true for younger children 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 the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is because children younger than one year do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to suffer head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether as well as the weight and height limits for that seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a tether. When they've reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There is no set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use one until their vehicle belt fits them correctly and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as boosters.
Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, in the event that it is available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in position. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.
Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from a harness. If the belt is loose children could be severely injured or even killed in a collision.
Back seat
All children should use the child safety or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with an open rear-facing position. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a front-facing restraint using a harness. These seats are generally used until your child reaches 57 inches in height 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 directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on it.
All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.