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Car Seats by Age Each car seat is designed to be suitable for a particular age group. It is recommended that children ride in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's height or weight limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12. When you are searching for a new chair, look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and removable pieces that can be washed in the machine. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be taken into consideration. Rear-facing Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They are also safer because they spread the force of impact over a greater area. baby seat reduces the risk of the chance of injury 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 as long as you can. This means that they should move to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached their maximum weight or height of their current seat according to the specifications of the manufacturer. Children's heads are large relative to their bodies and still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. In fact the head of a child can exert up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision — more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the highest risk for fatal head trauma when they are in a car seat that is facing the front. Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child and no amount of teen push-ups will change this. In the event of a crash, a larger child's head will likely be struck with more force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord and brain. When your child outgrows their infant car seat, you can change to a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit and it's crucial to pay close attention to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode. When your child is at the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll need to move them to the booster. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know that the seat is properly installed and is able to be flipped to forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the rear of your vehicle and always wear a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best protection for your child. Forward-facing Many parents are tempted to change their children's car seats around as they get older because it's more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children. Having a baby face forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown against the front seat and 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 smaller kids that aren't yet a year old. A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or on the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the car is moving, the head can be pulled back against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord. The current safety standards demand that kids remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that younger children do not have the neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most dangerous kind of car accident. The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps keep the kid's head stable and reduces the strain on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned by their seat. If you have a child who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can be changed from rear to forward-facing be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat. Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to use a forward-facing seat with a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to travel in the booster seat. Seat booster There isn't a set 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 is properly fitted. This could occur anytime 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 also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned. Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds and then as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds. Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, if one is available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. You can check the owner's manual for your vehicle to find out if you 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 due to the fact that the child is growing too tall to fit in a harness seat. But hurrying to “graduate” your child out of the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is not secure enough in the event of a crash. Back seat All children should be 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 surpassed the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat. When your baby is outgrowing the infant car seat, you can switch them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. Most of the time, these seats can be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child is over the seat's highest height and weight limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt. When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or exceeds the maximum weight and height requirements for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can support. All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not then they should use a back 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. Sitting children in the front seats can increase the risk of injury in an accident because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies. You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also see if your child's car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. Then, you can buy one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able try a seat before buying, make sure it has a return policy.