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Car Seats by Age Car seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to protect children according to their age. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can utilize a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall. If you are looking for a new seat consider features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also 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 collision. They are also safer, since they distribute the impact force over a larger area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord. Parents are often enticed by the idea of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward. Children's head are large in relation to their body and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. In fact children's heads could generate up to 25 times the force of their weight in a collision — enough to cause fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat. Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. However, it's important to keep in mind that a baby who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens will change that. In the case of a car accident, a larger child's head will likely be hit with more force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord or brain. When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch to a convertible seat that allows them to stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Typically, children attain their maximum height first, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode. If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will need to move them to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that tells you whether the seat is installed and ready to change 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 Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around when they grow older, because it is more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing is safer for children. The fact that a child is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head can be thrown by force against the seat in front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can happen even in the event that the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants. A child who is facing forward is more likely to hit their head against the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of the course of a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord. The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this 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 accident. The harness and tether will help keep the child's head stable, reducing neck strain. In addition, a rear-facing child is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat. If you have a child younger than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat. Once your child is at the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster. Booster seat There isn't a set age or size at which kids are able to safely stop using a booster seat. 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 raises the height of a child to ensure that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. The shoulder part of a belt must be positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly. Booster seats can be purchased with or without a backrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type, which provides neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters may be cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. best infant car seat -in-one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster. Some boosters have a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle, and a tether in the event that one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them. Some parents might be tempted to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child to an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit in the harness seat. But rushing to “graduate” your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in a crash. Back seat Every child should use the child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they're able. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed the weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat. After your baby has outgrown an infant car seat you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat with the option of rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used for a period of up to 2 years or until your child outgrows the seat's highest 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. If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child outgrows the maximum height and weight recommendations of the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a sticker on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it can support. If it is possible the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If they aren't able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Sitting children in the front seats can increase their chances of being injured during an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies. You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. You can also find out if your child's seat has been removed due to safety concerns or other flaws. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and the child's height. If you're not able test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with a return policy.