car seats by age (kingranks.com)

Each car seat is specifically designed to fit a certain age group. Children should use their car seat until they are at the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly, 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, take into consideration 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 distribute the impact force over a larger surface area, which limits injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children forward facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear facing infant car seat-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to move forward-facing.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. In reality, a child's head could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision -- more than enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.

Many parents think that their kids have stronger necks than older children, which means they can handle the transition to a forward-facing car seat earlier. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups done by teens will change this. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head will likely be struck with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.

If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat travel car seat you can switch to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat newborn insert seat, you'll need to put them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to flip to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in case of crash.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they grow older, because it's more convenient. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are an option that is safer for children.

In a crash with an infant facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head could be hit against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet a year old.

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

The current safety standards mandate that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is the most severe kind of accident in which cars are involved.

The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. A rear-facing child will also be less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat.

If you have a baby seat under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can be changed from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat using 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 you can now take them on a trip with a booster.

Booster seat

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

A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in cars. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it is near but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly.

Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat for 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether when available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine if can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.

Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child take a straight booster seat since they're getting too tall for the car seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during an accident.

Back seat

All children should ride in the back of a car for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded its height and weight limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an infant car seat you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle of your vehicle. It is secured using the lower anchor system and seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are typically used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag that is attached to it.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not, they should use a back restraint located in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat if there is an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to be injured in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the best child safety seat. They can also check to find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or other flaws. Then, you can purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able to test a seat before purchasing be sure that it comes with an exchange policy.