While it is easy to understand that small children belong in car safety seats, it can become a little confusing when one begins to look around at all of the options and consider weight limits. There are several models and brands of car safety seats available on the market today, each slightly different. The basic models are rear-facing, combination, front-facing and booster seats.
There are also seats for older children of around 60 pounds. A small child will be that weight around 9 years of age. Some models of car seats for younger children are for children of 20-25 pounds, while others can accommodate riders up to 10 pounds heavier.
The safest type of car seat to use for babies is rear facing. When selecting one for your baby, you should choose one with the higher weight limit for longer use.
A good guideline is to have the top of your child's head is within an inch of the top of the shell. It's good to remember that different angles are recommended for different ages. For newborns and young infants, a 45-degree maximum angle is recommended. Less recline is needed for older children with good head support.
Front-facing car seats should be used upright and with no recline. If you are going to use a front-facing car safety seat, choose a model with a five-point harness and front harness adjuster. The internal harness (the harness that is attached to the seat itself) in this type of seat should be used until the child is 40 pounds or until their shoulders are above the top harness slots. At this point, remove the internal harness from the seat and convert the seat to a booster for use with the automobile's lap and shoulder belt. It is vitally important that you use both types of belt or drive a car with combination belts.
If your child is over 40 pounds, you may want to consider purchasing a seat that is a booster only. It is just as important to properly install an older child's seat as it is to install a seat for a younger child. Your older child's booster should allow for the shoulder belt to cross the center of the shoulder and chest. Avoid crossing it over the neck. The lap belt should ride across the hips. If your car has low seat backs without headrests, use a high-back model. You may be able to find a model with adjustable head supports and extra padding.
Of course, there are also specialty models, such as models for older kids who ride in vehicles without shoulder belts. There are even models for special-needs kids and for kids up to 80 pounds, which in some cases may be as old as 11 years. There are so many options on the market that, with a little searching, you should be able to find exactly what your child as wonderful and unique as he or she is needs.
By: Levi Quinn
