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Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they meet 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 tall or the age of 10-12.
When looking for a new seat, consider features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, because they spread the force of impact over a greater area. This helps reduce spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted by the idea of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only after they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current car seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and growing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a best car seat for newborn uk seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest danger of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter that. In the event of a car seats newborn crash, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat rear facing car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change 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 a booster. Most booster seats have a built-in angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and is ready to switch to face forward. You should only use a booster seat in 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 case of crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to turn their child's car seat around as they get older, because it is more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in the car seat 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 is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are younger like infants.
A child facing forward is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in the event of a crash. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head may be pushed against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal cord.
The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason for this is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car crash.
Using a harness and tether when rear-facing helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the strain on their necks. A child who is rear-facing will also be less prone to head injuries, as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If 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 forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing best car seats newborn seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. 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 when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster can increase the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near but not over the chest. 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 properly positioned.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds.
Some boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that hooks to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether in the event that it is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
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. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even killed in an accident.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded 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 no longer in the infant car seats newborn seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. Most of the time, these seats can be used for up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest weight and height limit. If you have a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it can support.
All children older than 5 years old must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions since their bodies are smaller.
It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can buy one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you can't try out the seat, find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.