Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts fit properly, typically when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.
When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that can withstand staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed, and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact across a larger surface area, which limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their maximum weight or height limit of their current seat as stated by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their kiddos have bigger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. However, it's important to realize that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter the fact that. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is likely to hit with more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will need to move them into an adult booster. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you that the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best security for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to flip their baby's car seat around as they get older, as it's more practical. However, they must remember, that rear-facing is the best option for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head could be thrown against the seat's front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head on the dashboard or window during the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be pulled into the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which is the most severe kind of accident in which cars are involved.
Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to sustain head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
When you have a child less than a year old in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limits for that seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. When they've outgrown this, it's time to get a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster increases the height of a child, so that they can sit comfortably upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is also positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular type is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.
Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when one is available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in position. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it.
Some parents might be enticed to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child immediately go to a booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. best car seats for infants to "graduate" a child from to a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back of a car for as long as is possible with 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 exceeded the limits of its weight and height they should change to a forward facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with an open rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or by examining a tag attached to the seat.
All children older than 5 years old must be seated in the booster seat or on a vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If not then they should use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the chance of being injured during an accident, as the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out a seat, check to whether it has a policy for refunds.