Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. Children should use their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When shopping for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be washed by machines, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they spread the force of impact across a wider area. This limits the risk of injuries 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 to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. 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.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward sooner. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with more force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that lets them remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first and it's crucial to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. It is best to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats when they grow older, because it seems more convenient. But they should remember that rear-facing is a safer option for children.
In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them like infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in a crash. Depending on what type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be hit against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which is the most severe type of accident in which 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 strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not to use a tether and the height and weight limits for that particular seat.
Once your child is at the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. When best car seat infant reached that point, the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. Kids should use it until the belt fits them properly, and that can happen anytime between age 8 and 13.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to 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 part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, 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, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as a booster.
Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you 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 let their three-year-old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat since they're getting too tall for the car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even killed in a collision.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too tall 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.
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 with a rear-facing position. Usually, these seats can be used for a period of up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. In general, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child outgrows the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.
If you can, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If not you can use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is active. Sitting children in the front seat can increase the chance of injury in an accident, as the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. You can then purchase one that is suitable for your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to try a seat, check to whether it has a return policy.