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Car Seats by Age Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to use a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be machine washed, and accessories that can be cleaned. top rated baby car seats -facing Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They're also safer as they distribute the force of impact across an area larger than the surface which reduces spinal cord injuries. Parents are often enticed to change their children to 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. This means they should be moved to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer. The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are developing, making them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times their body weight in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. That's why young children are at the greatest risk for fatal head trauma when they are 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 facing forward earlier. It's important to keep it in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a kid who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens can change this. In the event of a car accident, the head of a bigger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries. When your child has outgrown their infant car seat you can change to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing. When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll have to get them into an adult booster seat. Most booster seats come with an indicator for angles to inform you that the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is best 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 case of crash. Forward-facing Parents are often enticed to turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more comfortable. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children. A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown by force against the front seat and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under a year old. A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in an accident. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal cord. The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious kind of car crash. The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. Furthermore, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by body of the seat. If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether as well as the height and weight limits for that particular seat. Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, the time is now to move on to a booster. Seat booster There is no age or height limit at which children are safe from using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old. A booster elevates a child's height so they can comfortably sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats come with a belt guide that helps to ensure that the belt is placed correctly. Booster seats come with or without a backrest. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type, which 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 don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds. Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when available. Some require the car seat belt to hold them in their place. You can check 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 learn how to use it. Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is growing too tall to fit into a harness seat. But hurrying to “graduate” your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children could be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in an accident. Back seat Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat. When your baby is outgrowing the infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with an option to rear-facing. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle of your vehicle. It can be secured with the lower anchor system and seat belt. When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child outgrows the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at the tag on the seat. All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint in the middle of the back seat. In addition, they should not sit in the front seat when there's an active air bag. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller. It's a good idea take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the best child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.