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MAX-INF(NINGBO)BABY PRODUCT CO.,LTD.
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One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different car seats on the market, it's no wonder many parents find this overwhelming.
The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child's age, size and the type of vehicle you have. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child.
Note
| Age Group | Type of Seat | General Guidelines |
| Infants/toddlers | Rear-facing only seats and rear-facing convertible seats | All infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. |
| Toddler/preschoolers | Convertible seats and forward-facing seats with harness | Any child 2 years or older who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car seat, should use a Forward-Facing Car Seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed their car seat's manufacturer. This also applies to any child younger than 2 years who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of their seat. |
| School-aged children | Booster seats | All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a Belt-Positioning Booster Seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age. |
| Older children | Seat belts | When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection. |
| All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection. |
: The "Types of car seats at a glance" chart is a quick guide on where to start your search.
Types of car safety restraints
There are 5 types of car safety restraints that can be used forward-facing.
1.Convertible seats—Seats that "convert" from rear-facing to forward-facing seats. These include 3-in-1 seats.
2.Forward-facing only—Seats can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 80 pounds (depending on the model). Although manufacturers are not currently making any forward-facing only seats, many remain in use from previous years.
3.Combination seat with harness—Seats can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 90 pounds (depending on the model) or without the harness as a booster (up to 80–120 pounds, depending on the model).
4.Built-in seats—Some vehicles come with built-in forward-facing seats. Weight and height limits vary. Read your vehicle owner's manual or contact the manufacturer for details about how to use these seats.
5.Travel vests—Vests can be worn by children between 20 and 168 pounds and can be an option to traditional forward-facing seats. They are useful for when a vehicle has lap-only seat belts in the rear or for children whose weight has exceeded that allowed by car seats. These vests may require use of a top tether.
- Last Updated 6/3/2013
- Source Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2013 Safety Information (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics)
