Introduction
It’s no secret that car seats are one of the most important pieces of safety gear a parent can buy for their children. After all, they could be the difference between a lifetime of pain and injury and a happy, healthy life. And it’s not just adults who need car seats. Children age 2-5 years old require booster seats until they reach the weight and height limit for a standard car seat. Here are some important things to know about car seats for children age 2-5 years old.
The Different Types of Children’s Car Seats
There are a variety of types of car seats for children, and it can be difficult to know what is the best option for your child. The safest option is usually to use a rear-facing car seat until your child is at least 4 years old. After that, you can switch to a front-facing car seat.
Here are four different types of children’s car seats:
Rear-Facing Car Seat: A rear-facing car seat protects your child in the event of a crash by keeping them firmly seated between the seats in the vehicle. Rear-facing seats should only be used until your child is 4 years old or until they reach the weight or height limit for their seat, whichever comes first.
Front-Facing Car Seat: A front-facing car seat keeps your child safe by putting them facing forwards in the vehicle. It’s important to note that most cars will not fit a forward-facing infant car seat and a newborn baby, so you’ll need to buy two separate seats. Front-facing seats should be used from birth until your child reaches 65 pounds or is at least 18 months old, or 2 inches shorter than their adult head measured from the top of their head to the bottom of their chin.
Infant Car Seat: An infant car seat provides protection for an infants during travel by keeping them restrained within a secure system and positioned lower than other passenger area.. Infant car seats should only be used
When to Change a Child’s Car Seat
seatbelts and child booster seats are required for all children under the age of 8 years old. A car seat should be checked and rechecked every time the child is in the car. When to Change a Child’s Car Seat: Early Childhood
If your child is 5 or younger, they must still use a rear-facing car seat until they reach 1 year old. After 1 year old, your child can use either a forward-facing car seat or a convertible car seat, depending on their weight and height. If you’re not sure which type of car seat is right for your child, talk to your pediatrician.
When it comes to age recommendations for convertible seats, babies have been able to ride in them from about 12 months old but need support until they reach 22 pounds (10 kilograms) or are 40 inches (102 cm) tall. For forward-facing seats, babies can ride in them from about 18 months old but need support until they reach 25 pounds (11 kg) or are 44 inches (112 cm) tall.
How to Measure a Child for a New Car Seat
To ensure your child is as safe as possible in a car, it is important to measure them for the correct car seat. The following table provides age guidelines for child car seats.
AGE GUIDELINES FOR CHILD CAR SEATS
(as of Dec. 31, 2009)
Infant Age Range Weight Range Height Range (in.) Length Range (in.)
0-3 months 0-20 lbs 20-40″ 40-70″ 18 – 25″
3-6 months 20-40 lbs 40-80″ 35-50″ 18 – 25″
6-9 months 30-60 lbs 50-100″ 45-65″ 22 – 28″
9-12 months 40-100 lbs 60-120″ 55-75″ 24 – 32″
1 year or older 80+ lbs 85+” 95+” 27 – 35”
The Best Time to Buy a New Car Seat
When you’re ready to buy a car seat for your new baby, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Different car seats fit different babies, and the best time to buy one depends on your child’s age and size.
If your baby is under 1 year old, you can use a infant carrier or parent portable seat as a back up. By 1 year old, most babies are large enough to use a regular car seat without additional protection.
For children aged 1 to 2 years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a car seat that fits in the rear-facing position until they reach 35 pounds or are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Once your child reaches these weight and height marks, they can use a forward-facing car seat with proper belt fit.
Children between 2 and 5 years old should use a convertible car seat that can be moved from rear-facing to forward-facing when their weight increases or when they outgrow the height range for the rear-facing position. For children 5 years old and older, the AAP recommends only using a standard safety belt harnessed car seat.
If you’re not sure which type of car seat is right for your child yet, talk to your pediatrician or local authorities about what’s safest for them based on their age and size.
Conclusion
When it comes to car seats, there’s a lot you need to consider for your child. Age, weight and height all play a role in determining the best car seat for your child. The following chart provides information on when children typically reach their maximum safety limit and what age they should be using a convertible car seat or booster seat.