See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Using
Car Seats by Age
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and shapes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children according to their age. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they spread the force of impact across a wider area. This reduces the risk of spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as you can. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat when they've reached the maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies. They are also developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. In fact children's heads can generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their kids have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. However, it's important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size is likely to be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.
If your child is outgrowing their best car seats for newborns uk seat for infants, you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will need to move them into a booster. Most booster seats have a built-in angle indicator that informs you when the seat is properly installed and ready to change to face forward. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the best car seats for newborns uk security for your child.
Forward-facing
Parents are often enticed to flip their baby's car seat as they get older, as it's more comfortable. But they should remember, that rear-facing is a safer option for children.
Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash, because the head can be thrown against the seat's front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a glass in the event of a crash. Based on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head could be pushed against the seat. This can result in a fractured skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of 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 will help keep the child's head in place, reducing neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to suffer head injuries, as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing limit of a car seat you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it the time is now to move on to a booster.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster helps a child increase their height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt should lie on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters may be cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters come with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, in the event that one is available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in position. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you 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 pound child go straight to a booster seat since they're getting too tall for a car seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from the harness. If the belt is loose children could be seriously injured or even die in an accident.
Back seat
All children should be in the back of a vehicle 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 who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.
After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat best car seat, you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are usually good for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it is secured in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can place them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the directions of the manufacturer or looking at a tag attached to the seat.
If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 use a booster seat or lap belt. If not then they should use a back restraint located 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. Sitting children in the front seat could increase the risk of being injured during an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety issues or defects. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.
