One of the most important jobs as a mom is to keep your baby safe always, especially when riding in your car, since each year many kids die as a result of car accidents. A proper seat stages guide on kids can ensure proper use of the seats to keep the kids safe as you travel with them.
But because in the market there are so many car seats, moms find this overwhelming, the article addresses the car seat stages guide on kids to help you choose the best one for yours.
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Factors To Determine Your Kid’s Car Seat Stages
It depends on several factors which include;
- Your child’s age
- Kid’s size.
- Developmental needs.
Examples Of Cars Seats For Your Kid
1. Rear-Facing Seats
They are three types of rear-facing seats, the rear-facing-only convertible, and all-in-one car seats.
When your kid attains the highest weight or length allowed by a manufacturer or the rear-facing-only seat, it is ideal for them to continue using the rear-facing seats in a convertible or all-in-one seat.
Characteristics;
- Are perfect for infants who weigh between 22-35 pounds as well as 26-35 inches, which also depends on the car seat’s model.
- Have a carrying handle and are light.
- The base that they are designed to have is ideal for leaving them in the car because this car seat for kids clicks into and out of the base so it is easy to install each time you use it.
- Should only be used only for traveling purposes, only not any other such as sleeping, feeding, or any other outside the vehicle.
2. Convertible Seats (Used Rear-Facing)
Main Characteristics;
- Suitable for rear-facing and later converted to forward-facing for older children when they outgrow either the weight limit for rear-facing. Thus it is ideal for a lengthy use by the kid.
- Most have higher limits in rear-facing and accommodate the kid’s weight of up to 40-50 pounds and height, which is taller than those of rear-facing. A perfect feature for bigger babies and toddlers.
- Come with a 5-point harness that attaches at the shoulders, at the hips, and in between the legs.
- Should be used only for a child’s travel, not any other use outside the car.
3. All-in-one Seats (Used Rear-Facing)
Key Features Of The Car Seat
- Can be used as rear-facing, forward-facing, or as a belt-positioning booster. Thus giving a longer use of the car seat by the kids as they grow.
- Are often bigger, so it is wise to check that they fit in the vehicle while they are rear-facing.
- Don’t have the advantage of a carrying handle or separate base; although they may come in higher limits in rear-facing weight of up to 40-50 pounds and height than those of rear-facing-only seats.
This makes them ideal for bigger babies and toddlers as well.
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Installation Of Car Seats For The Kids Guide
Make sure that you read the vehicle’s manual and the car safety seat manual before fixing it in the car.
Keep the following in mind as you install your kid’s car seat in the vehicle.
- Place the harness in your rear-facing seat in slots that are at or below your child’s shoulders.
- Ensure that the harness is snug, that is you cannot pinch any slack between your fingers when testing the harness straps over the child’s shoulders.
- The car seat I safely installed tightly in the vehicle with either lower anchors or a locked seat belt.
- Never fix a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an active front passenger airbag. Because the airbag inflates hitting the back of the car safety seat against your child’s head, in turn causing injuries to them or even death.
- Convertible or all-in-one seats in the rear-facing position should be installed such that the lower anchor or belt is routed through the correct belt path. Check the instructions manual first to be extra sure.
See more car seats for the kids reviews here.
