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Car Seats by Age Each car seat is designed for a specific 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 a booster seat until their vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12. When looking for a new chair, look for features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean is also considered. Rear-facing Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They're also safer because they distribute the impact force over an area larger than the surface which reduces spinal cord injuries. Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing. The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies, and are growing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in the event of a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who are in a car seat with their backs to the side are at a higher chance of suffering fatal head injuries. Many parents think that their kids have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. But it's important to remember that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a 5th percentile kid, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter the fact that. In the event of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could result in brain and spinal cord injuries. If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to be attentive to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing. If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash. Forward-facing Parents are often enticed to turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, because it is more comfortable. But they should remember that rear-facing seats are the best option for children. The fact that a child is facing forward in car seats puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown by force against the front seat and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to suffer whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are smaller, like infants under a year old. A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head could be pulled back against the seat and break the skull or spinal cord. 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 force in a head-on collision which tends to be the most serious type of accident in which cars are involved. The harness and tether aid in keeping the child's head steady, reducing neck strain. Additionally, 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 less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height is for that particular seat. Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat limitation They can now be in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've surpassed this, it's time to move into the booster seat. Seat booster There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old. A booster can increase the height of a child so that they can sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder part of the belt so that it lies close to but not over the chest. The lap part of the belt should lie on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is properly positioned. Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular type is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they don't offer neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as an adult booster seat until 100 pounds. Some boosters come with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether if one is available. good infant car seats www.pushchairsandprams.uk require the seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, make sure you read the instructions for the booster seat to understand how to use it. Some parents might be tempted to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall to fit in a harness seat. But hurrying to “graduate” your child out of the harness is risky. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even die in a crash. Back seat All children should have the child safety seat or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat. After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat you can transfer them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a car with a middle seat install the car safety seat in a way that it can be secured tightly to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt. When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat you can place them in a front-facing restraint that has a harness. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the top weight and height limits of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can support. All older children should be in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt, if possible. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to be injured during collisions since their bodies are smaller. It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled for problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing, make sure it has a return policy.