See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using

Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or the age of 10-12.

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Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact over an area larger than the surface, which limits spinal cord injuries.

Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward facing infant car seat-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the height or weight limit of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them vulnerable in the event of a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.

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

When your child outgrows their infant car seats car seat, you can convert to a convertible seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to place them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the rear of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are tempted to switch their kids' car seats when they grow older, because it seems more practical. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.

The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head can be thrown by force against the seat in front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or window during the course of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head may be placed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal cord.

The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious kind of car accident.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.

When you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height are for the particular seat.

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

Seat booster

There is no age or height limit 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 elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guides to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car to see if you can use the lower anchors in your car, and also read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to let their 3 year old 30 pounds child go straight to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for the car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness is risky. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in a crash.

Back seat

All children should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

After your baby has outgrown the infant car seats car seat, you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the infant car seat in front seat safety seat in a way that it can be secured tightly in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. The majority of these seats can be used until 57 inches or until your child is at the top height and weight recommendations of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag on it.

All children older than 5 years old must be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt for a vehicle, if possible. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller.

It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the best child safety seat for them. They can also check to find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, whether it has a return policy.