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Car Seats by Age Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes however, they are all designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should use their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until their vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall. When looking for a brand new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that can withstand staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean. 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 because they spread the force of impact across a wider area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord. Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them in rear-facing as long as you can. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to transition forward. Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies. They are also developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat. Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward earlier. But it's important to remember that a 95th percentile baby isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a larger child is more likely to be hit with more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries. If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat you can change to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Children typically reach their maximum height first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode. If your child has reached their convertible car seat's weight or height limit, you will have to transition them to an adult booster. The majority of booster seats have an angle indicator to let you know when the seat is correctly installed and is ready for flipping into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to ensure the best security for your child. Forward-facing Parents are often tempted to flip their baby's car seat around as they grow older, simply because it's more convenient. However, they should remember that rear-facing 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 by force against the seat's front and cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks that aren't yet one 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 the event of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pushed against the seat. This could result in fractured skulls or a spinal chord. The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason for this 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 type 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 stress on their necks. A child facing the rear will be less prone to head injuries as the impact will be cushioned by their seat. If you have a child less than one year old in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The manufacturer's guidelines will tell whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat. When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation, they can be in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, it's time to travel with a booster. Booster seat There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old. A booster elevates a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is placed correctly. Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most popular type is a high-back booster, that provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide head or neck support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between harness and boost modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters. infant car seat travel 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. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them. Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat because the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. It's dangerous to “graduate” children from a harness. Children could be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during a crash. Back seat All children should use the child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat. Once your child 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. Most of the time, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child is over the seat's height and weight limit. If you own a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt. If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to it. All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or vehicle's lap belt at the very least. If not you can use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in collisions because their bodies are smaller. It's a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to assistance in choosing and installing the most suitable child safety seat for them. They can also find out whether your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and the child's height. If you can't try out a seat, check to see if it has a refund policy.