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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 reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can use a booster until their 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 such as fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they distribute the impact force across a wider area. This limits the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward.

The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times their body weight in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will alter that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

When your child has outgrown their infant carrier seat car seat you can switch to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first, so it's important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or maximum height, you will have to transition them into an adult booster. Most booster seats have an integrated angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and ready to change to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the rear of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best car seats for newborns protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat around as they get older, because it is more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

In a crash with the baby facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head can be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one year old.

A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pulled into the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.

The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious type of car accident.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. A child facing the rear will be less likely to sustain head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for the seat.

Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel with a forward-facing seat with tether. When they've reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt must be set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.

Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which 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 but they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if available. Some require the car seat belt to keep them in place. You can check the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.

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 into a harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough children could be seriously injured or even die in a collision.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed the 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.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat in front seat car seat, you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. 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.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at the tag that is attached to it.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an air bag that is in use. Placing children in the front seats can increase their chances of injury in a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat newborn seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.