Why Car Seats By Age Isn t As Easy As You Imagine
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made for a specific age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use a booster seat until their vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, securing their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they spread the impact force over more of a larger area which minimizes injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed 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 in rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to go forward-facing.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can produce up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they ride in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as 5th percentile kids and no amount of teen push-ups can alter this. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible newborn car seat insert that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. In general, children will reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child is at the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or height limit, you will have to transition them to a booster. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to inform you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seats for newborns uk (relevant internet page) protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to change their children's car seats around as they grow older because it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
If you crash with an infant car seats facing towards the front the neck could be at risk. The head can be placed against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller such as infants who are less than one year old.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of an accident. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This could result in a fractured skull or spinal chord.
The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand the force in a head-on collision, which is often the most severe kind of accident where automobiles are involved.
The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady and reduce neck strain. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit They can now travel in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it is 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 the child's belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to help ensure the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats are available with or without a backrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be less expensive but they do not provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters have lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether when one is available. Others require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to know how to use it.
Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit in a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" a child from a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in an accident.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as they can, using a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat travel car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing seat. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child reaches the seat's weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. These seats are usually used until your child is the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine the height and weight of the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or looking at the tag on the seat.
If possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally you should not place them in the front seat if there's an air bag that is in use. Placing children in the front seats can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the best child safety seat for them. They can also check to determine if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.