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Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes 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 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 you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They are also safer as they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as it is possible. That means moving them 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 head are large in relation to their body and growing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate 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 are 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 bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. However, it's important to realize that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can change that. In the event of a crash the head of a bigger child is likely to be hit with more force. This could result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
If your child is no longer in their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that lets them stay rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first, so it's important to follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.
When your child reaches the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll need to move them to an adult booster. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is properly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in 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
Parents are often enticed to turn their child's car seat around as they get older, simply because it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in a
best car seats infant seat puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head could be thrown by force against the seat's front and can cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for younger children, such as infants.
A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or window in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head could be forced back against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether when rear-facing helps ensure that the child's head is stable, which reduces this strain on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries as the impact is cushioned by their seat.
If you have a baby who is less than one year old and in a convertible
best car seat for newborn uk seat or an all-in-1 seat that can change 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 from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.
When your child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can
travel infant car seat with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to get a booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a 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 aligns the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most common type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It's a
good infant car seats choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as a booster.
Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, in the event that one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to hold them in place. You can check the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.
Some parents might be tempted to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit in a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed the weight and height limits should transition to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall 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 all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest height and weight limit. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so it is securely secured in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.
When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are usually used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a sticker on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can support.
If it is possible, all older children should use a booster seat or lap belt. If they aren't able to utilize the middle back seat restraint. Additionally, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an air bag that is in use. Putting children in the front seat could increase the risk of injury in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
It is a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the right child safety seat. They can also check whether your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then choose a seat that is compatible with your car and the child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.