car seats by age; Wifidb published a blog post,

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should use their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a new seat, look for features like fabric that resists stains and pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injury in a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving their children forward-facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them 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 relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat with their backs to the side are at a higher risk of fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is in the 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who's 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens can change this. In the case of a infant car seat travel crash, the head of a larger child is likely to be struck with greater force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

If your child is no longer in their infant car seats car seat, you can switch to a convertible car seat that allows them to stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and therefore it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only at the back of your vehicle and always wear the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure security for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older because it is more practical. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.

If you crash with the baby facing towards the front the neck could be at risk. The head could be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spinal damage. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than one year old.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be placed against the seat. This can result in fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 lbs and 1 year of age. The reason is that younger children don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most serious type of car accident.

Using a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces strain on their necks. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the 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 forward-facing to rear-facing, make sure to read the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines will tell you whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limitations for that seat.

Once your child has reached the rear-facing best car seats for infants seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster.

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster raises a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to but not directly over the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats include belt guides that help to ensure the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to keep them in position. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" children from to a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back seat of a vehicle for as long as they can using a child safety seat or booster seat that is 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 child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

When your baby is outgrowing an infant carrier seat car seat you can switch them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing option. These seats are usually good infant car seats for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are typically used until your child is 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or the tag on the car seat will tell you how tall and heavy it is able to support.

All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or lap belt for a vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Putting children in the front seat could increase the chance of getting injured in a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.

You can take your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been removed due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then choose a seat that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're unable to try the seat, find out if the seat has a policy for refunds.