Every parent remains conscious about their child’s safety when riding in a car. The child can be injured in case of an accident. The purpose of car seats is to keep them safe.
Many car seats are available to protect your little ones, but there still needs to be clarity about what kind of seat you have to choose according to their age.
You have to look for many features, like a child’s age, size, and the type of vehicle you have. Read on for more information about choosing your child’s most appropriate car seat.
Types of car seats by age- Detailed Information
Various types of car seats are available for children of different ages. This article provides information on types of car seats by age.
Rear-Facing Car Seats
Infants should be seated in rear-facing car seats as they provide 70% more protection in case of an accident. They provide better protection to their head, neck and spine. Parents should keep their children in rear-facing car seats as long as possible.
What Is A Rear-Facing Baby Car Seat?
The child should sit with their back towards the front of the vehicle in a rear-facing car seat. The seat’s primary purpose is to disperse the majority of the force of an impact over a large body surface area while absorbing a small amount of force. In the case of adults, seat belts apply equal amounts of force to their hips and shoulders, which are the strongest body components.
Children are affected due to car accidents—over 500 kids every day, or around 183,000 in the United States alone. Shockingly, every 25 seconds, a child riding in a car is involved in a collision, which can cause severe injuries and even death.
Rear-Facing Car Seat Age
The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend that children under three remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the highest height or weight the car seat manufacturer allows.
Height And Weight Limit For A Rear-Facing Car Seat
Strictly follow the height and weight guidelines for seats. Make sure your child fits properly in the seat. There should be a one-inch gap between the top of the plastic shell and your child’s head. Most children will outgrow their car seats in height before they reach the weight limit.
- Height: Convertible seats have rear-facing height restrictions that require the child’s head to be at least one inch below the top of the seat, depending on the vehicle.
- Weight: Infants weighing 22 and 35 pounds should be placed in rear-facing car seats. Convertible car seats have rear-facing weight limits ranging from 40 to 50 pounds, depending on the model.
Parents can refer to the Car Seat Recommendations provided by the NHTSA for better guidance in making a decision.
Forward-Facing Car Seat Age
It is recommended that children switch to a forward-facing car seat once they have exceeded the weight and height limitations of their rear-facing-only or convertible car seat.
What Is A Forward-Facing Baby Car Seat?
Children over two should use forward-facing car seats in the front of the car to secure and restrain them. A Convertible Car Seat offers more flexibility and can be a good option for buyers.
Forward-Facing Car Seat Age
Once your child exceeds the weight and height limit of rear-facing car seats , switch to forward-facing car seat
Height And Weight Limit For A Forward-Facing Car Seat
The guidelines regarding the height and weight of a forward-facing car seat can vary depending on the model. Once a baby outgrows a rear-facing infant seat, they can move to a forward-facing car seat. Typically, such seats can be used until the child weighs between 40 and 50 pounds, although the precise weight limit is determined by the car seat model. The manufacturer’s instructions or the tag on the seat will provide information on the maximum height and weight that the car seat can support.
Booster Seat
Booster seats are intended for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats.
What Is A Booster Seat?
It is recommended that parents use a Booster Car Seat for children who can face forward. This type of car seat is most suitable for slightly older kids and can be used until the child is old enough to ride in a normal car seat. It is also beneficial to invest in a Booster Seat With A High Weight Limit as it can help ensure stability when car seat regulations change. Booster seats are designed to elevate children so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit correctly over the chest area, which is the most vital part of the body and can help keep a person securely in their seat.
Booster Seat Age
The age at which a child is ready to switch from a car seat to a booster seat is referred to as the booster seat age. Ideally, this age is at least four years old, but it may be older for certain children. For most kids, it is recommended that they ride in a car seat with a 5-point harness until they are 5 or 6 years old.
Height And Weight Limit For A Booster Seat
It is crucial for the safety of children who use a booster seat if their weight or height exceeds the safety limits of their forward-facing car safety seat. Parents or guardians must choose appropriate car seats for different ages to ensure their children’s safety. While some high-back booster seats may have a minimum weight requirement of 30 pounds, it is advisable to use a booster seat only when the child weighs at least 40 pounds.
Height:
Kids at least 4 and 9 inches tall can use booster seats.
Child Car Seat Belt
It is important for children to always use both lap and shoulder seat belts in the car once they are big enough for the seat belt to properly fit them.
What Is A Child Car Seat Belt?
It is important for everyone to use a seatbelt while traveling in a car. Adults who require seat belts must be at least 4 feet and 9 inches tall and weigh 80 pounds or more. If a child does not meet these requirements, they must always sit in the backseat of the car and use a safety seat that has been properly installed, along with a seat belt or latch system.
Child Car Seat Belt Age
Children may need assistance with seat belts until age 10-12, and children under 13 should sit in the back seat.
Height And Weight Limit For A Child Car Seat Belt
What are the height and weight requirements for a child to use a car seat belt?
Height:Â The child is tall enough to comfortably lean back on the car seat with their knees dangling over the edge for the entire journey.
Weight:
Car seat belts do not have a weight limit, but children must be taller than 4’9″ to use them.
Car Seat Stages Chart
| Car Seat Type | Age | Height | Weight |
| Rear-facing car seat | 0 to 2+ years old | 26-35 inches (infants) | Up to 40 pounds |
| Forward-facing car seat | 2-7 years old | Above 40 inches | 50-85 pounds |
| Booster car seat | 4-12 years old | Below 4 feet 9 inches | At least 40 pounds |
| Car seat belt | 8 to adult | Above 4 feet 9 inches | No weight limit |
FAQ: Types of car seats by age
Which car seat is suitable for babies and toddlers?
Rear-facing-only seat: This seat is suitable for babies up to about one year old or up to a certain weight or height limit.
Convertible Seat: It can be used rear-facing for babies and changed forward-facing for toddlers. Reclining is appropriate from birth until about 4 years of age.
All-in-One Seat: This seat switches from rear-facing to forward-facing and finally to a booster seat. It takes the child from birth through booster age.
Which car seat is best for toddlers and children who are preschool-age?
Convertible Seat: It is still used, but only forward-facing if the child’s age increases.
Combination Seat: This is a forward-facing car seat with a harness that can be converted into a high-back booster seat.
Which car seat is useable to children who are of school age?
Combination Seat: A forward-facing harnessed seat shall be changed to a high-back booster, which must later be used as a forward-facing seat.
Belt-Positioning Booster: This booster is for bigger children who can no longer use the combination seat but are still not ready to use the seatbelt entirely.
What is the age of a child who can sit in a Stage 1 car seat?
Stage 1 Car Seat: For children aged nine months up to 4 years – weights range between 9-18 kilograms (20 – 40 lbs). This encompasses both rear and forward-facing seats.
At what age is it appropriate for a child to stop using a car seat and switch to a booster seat?
Transition Criteria: The minimum criteria are that a child must weigh at least 40 pounds, be 38-40 inches tall, and be at least 4 years old. Always follow state laws and the recommendations provided by seat manufacturers.
When should I change to the next car seat?
Switching Guidelines: Move to the next seat type when your child exceeds the current seat’s weight or height limit or whenever they attain the required age and size for the next stage.
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