Why Are Car Seats Important
Using a car seat, also called a child safety seat, is the best way to protect your kids when they’re in a car. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury for children. Because car seats save lives, using a car seat is the law in every U.S. state.
But keeping your child safe depends on choosing the right safety seat and using it correctly. The best car seat is the one that fits your child’s weight, size, and age, as well as your vehicle.
Here are some things to know so you can pick a seat that’s right for your child:
Babies start out in infant-only seats or convertible seats. As they grow, kids switch to forward-facing seats before moving to a booster seat. Here’s a rundown of which seat to use when.
When Is My Child Too Big For Rear
A child can be either too heavy, too tall, or bothbut all of this depends on the specifications of the car seat. Each car seat has its own height and weight limits for rear-facing children. Most convertible seats allow children to sit rear-facing up to 35, 40 or 50 pounds. The height limit for most rear-facing car seats is that there must be at least 1 inch of room between the top of the childs head and the top of the car seat. This inch ensures that as the child slides up the seat in a crash, his head will stay protected.
Given the design of most car seats, the majority of children become too tall for rear-facing seats before they become too heavy. Therefore, when you purchase a convertible car seat, try to select one that is taller in seated height.
Graco Extend2fit Convertible Car Seat
Its not every day that you can describe a car seat piled with Cheerios as lovely. But lets get started, shall we? The Nuna RAVA has been precisely constructed and equipped with smart features to provide optimal safety and convenience of use. The calf rest may be extended by two inches for even greater comfort for rear-facing passengers who weigh up to 50 pounds. As a bonus, the seat belt approach makes installation quick and easy.
Babylist$209.99
- To be used for a long time on the back of a car.
- A low-cost option thats simple to set up
- An option that is both inexpensive and simple to utilize.
What Our Experts Say
An inexpensive convertible car seat with a high weight restriction, easy installation, and ability to fit in almost any vehicle is the Extend2Fit convertible car seat.
Children can stay rear-facing for longer with this seats weight limit of 50 pounds than with most other convertible seats. To make extended rear-facing more comfortable, the seats name alludes to a leg rest that extends an additional five inches. Because it can sit virtually upright while rear-facing, the seat can be used by taller parents or those driving smaller automobiles. Additionally, its a terrific choice for children of all ages, from infants to preteens and teenagers.
Whats Worth Considering
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Are Convertible Seats More Convenient Than Infant Seats
The fact that they can be used both forward-facing and rear-facing makes them sound convenient, but they are actually not. Why wouldnât it? Rear-facing convertible car seats actually sound pretty enticing given the fact that they have better longevity.
You see, a seat that is perfect from the starting age of 3 can never be suitable for an infant whoâs only 3 months old. Thatâs because of their height, weight, body structure and fragility. None of these four factors match.
So, even if you get a seat that you can keep your baby there for 7 years and keep it both forward and rear-facing as necessary, you canât actually keep them there because it will be too big for them.
Also, infant seats are convenient in a way that they can be carried anywhere you go. Theyâre lightweight, and the fact that babies are supposed to outgrow them within a year is not necessarily true. You can keep using an infant seat till they reach the age of 2 or 3, depending on how they grow.
So, the real question still persists. Letâs answer that.
When Can A Child Face Forward In A Car Seat
You should keep your child in the rear-facing position for as long as possible. But instead of using age as a guideline, keep the following in mind:
- When they reach either the weight or height limit. Your child should stay rear-facing until she has hit the maximum height or weight for that position, says the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . Most rear-facing infant seats can accommodate children until they reach 28 to 35 pounds or 30 to 35 inches, but keep in mind that many children will reach the maximum height before they do the maximum weight. Once a child outgrows a rear-facing infant seat, she can switch to a convertible seat in a rear-facing position, which can often be used until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds. You can find your seats height and weight limits on the tag or in the manufacturer instructions.
- Not before age 2. Years ago, age 2 was considered the standard time to switch to the forward-facing position. Now, its considered the absolute minimum, because most 2-year-olds wont be adequately protected from a crash in a forward-facing seat. Rather than basing your switch on the calendar, do so only when your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of her convertible seat. For many, this doesnt happen until age 3 or 4.
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How To Keep The Baby Cool In The Car Seat
Now lets talk about the comfort of our babies in a car seat. You need to keep the babies cool since too much heat makes them irritable and you certainly dont want that! When temperatures rise a little higher than usual infants cannot cope up with these hot temperatures and start wailing. Its important to recognize this sign of discomfort and quickly take action . and to take on actions one must be prepared before heading out with your child. There are some simple ways to keep your child comfortable on a hot day.
- use your cars AC
- dress your child appropriately for the weather
- use cooling towels
- use reflective sunshades or car seat sunshades
- switch to light coloured car seats if you havent already
- help your child sweat
- NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE IN THE CAR, NOT EVEN FOR A SINGLE MINUTE
Other than keeping them cool, the comfort of your child lies on the reclining of the forward-facing car seat. The recline angle also ensures the safety of your child. It is safest for a forward-facing child to ride fully upright. Many convertible seats have both recline and upright positions.
Are Their Feet Going To Get Hurt
If your childs feet hang over the end of the seat, it is not an indicator to move them up a stage, as is commonly believed. Childrens feet and legs are very unlikely become injured in a collision when they are rear facing, and they will not be uncomfortable. Children are much more flexible than adults and will happily sit with their knees bent or their legs crossed.
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What If They Reach The Car Seat Limit Before 2 Years
Once your child exceeds the weight and height limit of the infant car seat, its time to go out and buy a convertible car seat. These come with higher limits that can go up to 50 pounds rear-facing.
When it comes to height, most car seats recommend at least one inch of room between the top of the childs head and the top of the seat. This space ensures your childs head is safe in case of a crash.
If you have already switched your child to forward-facing before the recommended age, switch them back. This is exactly what I did when I found out about the recommendations while my toddler was already 2 years old. It gave me peace of mind to know that my child was safer.
When Should You Upgrade Your Child’s Car Seat
When your child is too big for an infant seat. Many rear-facing infant seats have weight limits of 30 pounds or more, but most dont have matching height limits. So dont be surprised if your child outgrows the infant seat long before he or she reaches the weight limit.
Your safest bet is to trade up to a convertible seat, which can face either the front or the back of the car, and continue to have your child face the rear.
When your child hits 1 year old: Based on our most recent recommendations and test results, if your child has reached his or her first birthday and still fits in a rear-facing infant seat, the safest move is to switch to a rear-facing convertible.
Our newest test methodology includes simulating what happens in the event of a crash. In those tests, we found that a 1-year-old child was far more likely to hit his head on the back of the front seat while in a rear-facing infant seat than he would be if he were riding in a rear-facing convertible seat.
When your childs car seat has expired: Many parents dont realize that child car seats carry expiration dates. This is particularly important when you have several children and use the same car seat for each one.
The owners manual or seat label should tell you when the seat was built and when it should no longer be used. The life span is usually six years.
Even if youre trading in for the same type of seat, one with new, undamaged components will provide better protection.
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When Is It Time To Switch From A Convertible Car Seat To A Booster Seat
Some convertible car seats can be converted to a booster seat, and others can only be converted to a booster seat. Convertible car seats that can be converted to a booster seat should be used until a child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, or the childs height has increased by at least two inches since the child was last measured in a car seat.
Making The Right Choice
To remember these tell-tale signs that signal your baby has already started outgrowing their car seat, just pay attention to the height and weight of your child whenever theyre snuggled and buckled in the seat. Remember: the first step in making your car seat journey safer and better begins with making informed decisions!
If you’re in the market for car seats for your children, or if you simply want to know more about child passenger safety, then give us a at Taxi Baby Co.! We put and keep your child’s safety as our top priority. Our team would be happy to help with whatever you and your child need to keep family travel convenient and stress-free.
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Transitioning To A Safety Belt Too Soon
Older children need booster seats to help ensure the seat belt stays properly positioned on their body. The lap belt should lie low across the childs hips and pelvis with the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the childs chest and shoulder, so that in the event of a crash, the forces are applied to the hip bones and not the abdomen. If the lap belt is not positioned properly then it could lead to injuries to the spinal cord and abdominal organs.
Solution: Most kids can safely use an adult seat belt sometime between ages 8 and 12.
What Car Seat Should My Child Be In
Car seats for infants and toddlers
From the moment you leave the hospital, your bundle of joy should be safely strapped into a rear-facing infant car seat with a five-point harness. A five-point harness has two straps that go over your childs shoulders and snap into a buckle around their waist. The five points are the two shoulders, two hips and in between the legs. Mount infant car seats in the backseat of your vehicle, facing the rear window.
Dr. Mudd recommends parents try to prepare for their first car ride home from the hospital by having the car seat installation checked by a local fire station or childrens hospital. Also be sure to read the car seat manual or try watching a YouTube video of how to use that specific car seat. Having the car seat set up correctly and ready to go ahead of time can reduce stress and help parents feel more confident about taking their little ones home for the first time.
Choose: Rear-facing-only car seats with a five-point harness or rear-facing convertible car seats with a five-point harness
When to switch to a forward-facing car seat: Its about weight and height, not age. Look at the height and weight limits on your infant car seat. Rear-facing-only seats typically range from 26 to 36 inches and 22 to 35 pounds.
Convertible car seats tend to have higher limits. Thats because you can eventually turn them around to be forward-facing when your childs ready, so they grow with your kid.
Car seats for toddlers and preschoolers
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Child Car Seat Quick Tips
Here are some things you might need to keep in mind about transitioning your child from rear-facing to forward-facing:
- When its time for your child to face forward, use a forward-facing seat that features a harness. Remember to use that forward-facing seat for as long as possible or until they reach the limits for it.
- Once your child reaches that limit, you should start using a booster seat until they are old enough to use the car seat belt. Most children will need a booster seat until they are approximately 49, typically until 10-12 years of age. Once they stop using a booster seat, ensure they use both the lap and shoulder seat belts for protection .
When Should You Make The Switch
While infant car seats have weight limits ranging from 22 to 35 pounds, nearly every baby is too tall before reaching the weight limit, especially for the seats with 30+ pound limits. Too tall is when the child’s head is 1 inch below the top of the seat. It would be best if you familiarized yourself with your car seat’s height and weight requirements to ensure your child is riding safely.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends transitioning your baby from the infant seat to a rear-facing convertible seat, once they meet the minimum height or weight requirement for their infant seat. If a child is over the weight limit but still within the height limit, it is not safe to use the seat . Once your child reaches one limit, they are too big.
While the max height for most infant seats is when the child’s head is 1 inch below the top of the seat, crash testing from Consumer Reports indicates that it may be best to transition to the rear-facing convertible seat earlier, before your child’s head is within an inch of the top.
CR’s crash tests with a 12-month-old dummy showed that the risk of head injury is much greater in an infant seat than a rear-facing convertible seatas the dummy hit its head on the back of the front seat in more than half of the crashes in infant seats, but in only 4% of the crashes when in a convertible seat.
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When To Transition From A Seat To A Car Seat
There is no one answer to this question as each family is different and will have different preferences. However, some tips on when to transition your child from a seat to a car seat can include:
- When your child reaches the maximum weight or height for their age and size
- When your child can sit up, pull up to a standing position, and hold their head up without help
- When your child can sit in a car seat without assistance for at least 30 minutes
Infant And Convertible Car Seats: What’s The Difference
Parents have the option of choosing between an infant and a convertible car seat when traveling with their baby. Both are safe options if your baby meets the car seat’s height and weight recommendations. You also have to make sure you know how to securely install the seat. It’s important to choose the seat that works best for your baby and your needs. Here are the key differences between infant and convertible car seats.
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When To Switch From Infant Car Seat To Convertible
According to Kimminau, your child can stay in their infant car seat until they outgrow the seat by either the height or weight restrictions.
Or is the key word to remember here, says Kimminau. It means that even if your little one meets the seats weight requirement but is over the height requirement, its time to make the switch, and vice versa.
Most children will outgrow their infant seats by height first.
While many infant seats are being marketed to hold children up to two years because of higher weight limits , explains Kimminau, most children will outgrow their infant seats by height long before they reach the weight limit.
A good rule of thumb for most seats is that if the top of a childs head is within one inch of the top of the shell of the seat, its time to transition, she says.
The easiest way to check this is to find a board book that is one inch thick and place it on top of your childs head while they are properly secured in the seat.
