What Experts In The Field Would Like You To Learn

Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to fit a certain 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 properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or the age of 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer because they disperse the force of an impact across a wider area. This helps reduce the chance of injury to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to transition forward-facing.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are 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 an accident -- more than enough to cause a fatal injury. This is why children who sit in a car seat that is facing forward are at the greatest risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. However, it's important to realize that a 95th percentile baby isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter this. In the event of a car crash, a bigger kid's head is more likely to be hit with greater force, which could result in spinal cord and brain injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch to convertible cars that let them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first and therefore it is important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to get them into an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Parents are often tempted to turn their child's car seat around as they get older, simply because it's more practical. But they should remember, that rear-facing is the best option for children.
In a crash with a baby facing toward the rear, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child who is facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is moving, the head can be forced back against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they reach both 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that children who are younger do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. In addition, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by 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 changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you 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 not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the particular seat.
Once your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limit They can now be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Once they've outgrown it, the time is now to move on to a booster.
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 vehicle 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 cars. The shoulder part of a belt is also set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is correctly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased 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 great choice for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for 100 pounds.
Some boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether, when available. Others require the seat belt to secure them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall for a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. If the belt is too loose, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a vehicle for as long as possible with a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear facing car seat, or have exceeded the limits of its weight and height and should be switched to a forward facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing seat. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. infant carrier seat can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will let you know the height and weight it can be.
If you can it is recommended that all children over the age of 5 sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Putting children in the front seat can increase the risk of being injured during a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat for them. You can also find out if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you are unable to test a seat, check to see if it has a refund policy.