An Guide To Car Seats By Age In 2024

best car seat for newborn Push Chairs & Prams by Age Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. It is recommended that children ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10 to 12. When shopping for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and equipment that is easy to clean. Rear-facing Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers, securing their necks and spines from a crash. They're also safer because they spread the force of impact over an area larger than the surface, which limits spinal cord injuries. Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward. The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a front-facing car seat. Many parents believe that their children have stronger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups performed by teens will change this. In the event of a car accident, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries. If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. This is why it is essential to follow the guidelines from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode. If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll have to transition them to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that tells you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on 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 a crash. Forward-facing Many parents are enticed by the idea of change their children's car seats around as they grow older, because it seems more practical. But they should remember that rear-facing is the best option for children. A baby who is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown back by force against the seat's front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for smaller kids that aren't yet one year old. A child facing the forward is more likely to land their head on the dashboard or window in the event of an accident. Based on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving, the head may be hit against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord. The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because younger kids don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of accident in which cars are involved. The use of a harness or tether when rear-facing helps ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat. If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, you should read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat. When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster. Booster seat There isn't a set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old. A booster raises a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is near but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned. Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds. Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether when one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then 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 into an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall for the harness seat. But hurrying to “graduate” your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose children could be severely injured or even die in a collision. Back seat All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed as long as they can. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its height and weight 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 outgrowing an infant car seat you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for up to two years or until your child outgrows the seat's maximum height and weight 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 location with the lower anchor system or seat belt. When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or by examining a tag attached to the seat. All children older than 5 years old must be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If not then they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during a collision because their bodies are smaller. It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the most suitable 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 purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat before purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.