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Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes and shapes, but they're all designed to protect children based on their age. It's recommended that children ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits and then use a booster seat until vehicle belts are fitted properly, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches in height or age 10-12.

When you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers, securing their spines and necks from injury in a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the impact force over an area larger than the surface, which limits injuries to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing as long as you can. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached their height or weight limit of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat with a front view.

Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. It is important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than a child who's 5th percentile and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will change the fact that. In the event of a crash the head of a child with a bigger size is likely to be hit with greater force. This could result in brain and spinal cord injury.

When your child has outgrown their best infant carrier car seat car seat you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Typically, children reach the height limit first and it's crucial to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.

If your child has reached their convertible best car seats seat's weight or maximum height, you will have to transition them into an adult booster. Most booster seats have a built-in angle indicator that tells you that the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. Use a booster only in the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Many parents are enticed by the idea of switch their kids' car seats when they get older because it is more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.

Having a baby face forward in the car seat puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks, 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 glass in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is moving, the head can be forced back against the seat and may break the skull or spinal cord.

Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash, which is the most serious kind of car accident.

The use of a harness or tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces the stress on their necks. In addition, a rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a baby under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can switch from rear to forward-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will inform you whether or not to use a tether and the weight and height limitations for the infant carrier seat.

Once your child is at the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they can use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. When they've outgrown this, it is time to move into the booster seat.

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 is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster increases the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably 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 portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure the belt is correctly placed.

Booster seats are available with or without backrests. The most popular booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. This is a great option for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to about 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether if available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.

Parents may be enticed to move 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. It's risky to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in an accident.

Back seat

Every child should use the child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat.

Once your child has outgrown an top rated infant car seats car seat you can switch them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing option. Usually, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's maximum weight and height limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat in a way that it is securely secured in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child grows out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches tall or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can find out the height and weight of the car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at the tag on the seat.

If it is possible, all older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they can't, they should use the middle back seat restraint. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there's an airbag that is active. Putting children in the front seat could increase the risk of being injured during a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also determine if your child's seat has been recalled due to safety issues or defects. Then, you can buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.