What Is Car Seats By Age And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?
Car Seats by Age
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to protect children based on their age. Children should use their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts are properly fitted, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which reduces spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted 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 it is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to go forward.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies and still growing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. In fact, a child's head can generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in an accident -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. That's why young children are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their kids have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile of their age is not stronger than a child who is 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups by teens will alter that. In the event of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with much more force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can change to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.
If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will have to transition them into an adult booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you that the seat is properly installed and is ready to be flipped to 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 most secure protection for your child in the event of a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed by the idea of change their children's car seats around when they get older because it's more practical. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.
In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing forward the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat by force 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 particularly true for smaller kids such as infants who are less than one year old.
A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving the head may be pulled back against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is often the most serious kind of accident where automobiles are involved.
The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to 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 rear-facing to forward-facing 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 manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to get the booster seat.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster helps a child increase their height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure that the belt is placed correctly.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't 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.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child go straight to a booster seat because they're growing too tall for the car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" a child from the harness. baby car seat can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should be in the back seat of a car as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat, you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats 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 in the middle of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag on it.
All older children must be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If not you can use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, check to see if it has a policy for refunds.