How do I choose the right car seat for my child? Find a car seat that is suitable for your child's age and size and fits correctly into your car. Use the car seat every time you travel to help prevent injury and help keep your child safe. Learn infomation here on how to select a car seat for your child's age.
Babies Under 1 Year
A child who is less than 1 year old must always travel in a rear-facing car seat. There are 3 main types of rear-facing car seats to choose from to help keep baby safe.
Infant Car Seat - An infant car seat is designed for newborns and small infants and can only be used rear-facing in the vehicle. Many babies will outgrow these car seats before their first birthday. When the baby outgrows the seat, we recommend that the parents get a convertible or all-in-one car seat and continue to use it rear-facing.
Convertible Car Seat - As kids get bigger, this kind of car seat can switch from being rear-racing to forward-facing with a harness and tether. It is designed for kids of various sizes which means they can stay in the rear-facing position longer.
All-in-One Car Seat - Can transform from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat that uses a harness and a tether. Then, it changes into booster seat for older kids as they grow. This feature makes it possible for kids of different sizes to stay in the rear-facing position longer.
Ages 1 to 3 Years
Keep your child in a rear-facing position as long as possible. This is the safest option for them. Your child should stay in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit set by the car seat's manufacturer. After outgrowing the rear-facing car seat, your child can transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether strap.
Convertible Car Seat - As kids get bigger, this kind of car seat can switch from being rear-facing to forward facing with a harness and tether. It is designed for kids of various sizes which means they can stay rear-facing longer.
All-in-One Car Seat - Can convert from a rear-facing car seat that uses a harness and tether, and then it can become a booster seat for older kids as they grow. It is designed for kids of various sizes which means they can stay rear-facing longer.
Ages 4 to 7 Years
Your child should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the maximim height and weight limit recommended by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they outgrow this seat, they can transition to a booster seat. All children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat of the vehicle due to their smaller body frames and higher risk of injury or death from front seat airbags.
All-in-One Car Seat - Can convert from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat that uses a harness and a tether, and then it can become a booster seat for older kids as they grow. This feature makes it possible for kids of different ages and sizes to stay in the rear-facing position longer.
Combination Car Seat - Can work as both a forward facing seat with a harness and tether or as a booster seat. Once your child exceeds the height and weight limits for the harness, you can remove it, and then it can be used as a booster seat with a seat belt.
High Back Booster Seat - Helps lift a child up to help the seat belt fit properly and supports their head and neck. You must use this type of booster seat in vehicles that do not have headrests and tall seat backs, and it must be used with a lap-and-shoulder belt. Make sure that your child fits both the age requirements as well as the weight and height requirements from the manfacturer before using this booster seat.
Backless Booster Seat-Helps raise a child's height so that the seat belt can fit correctly. This seat does not support the head or neck. This booster seat should only be used in vehicles that have headrests and tall seat backs, and it must be used with a lap-and-shoulder seat belt. Make sure that your child fits both the age requirements as well as the weight and height requirements from the manfacturer before using this booster seat.
Ages 8 to 12 Years
Make sure that your child stays in a booster seat until that are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and are able to fit in the seat belt correctly. All children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat of the vehicle due to their smaller body frames and higher risk of injury or death from front the seat air bags.
Combination Car Seat - Works as both a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether and as a booster seat. Once your child exceeds the height and weight limits for the harness, you can remove it, and it can be used as a booster seat with a seatbelt.
High Back Booster Seat - Help lifts a child up so that the seat belt fits them properly. It also supports their neck and head, which is necessary for cars that don’t have headrests or tall seat backs. It must be used with a lap-and-shoulder seat belt.
Backless Booster Seat - Helps raise a child's height so that the seat belt can fit correctly. It does not support the head or neck. This type of seat should only be used in cars that have headrests and tall seat backs, and it must be used with a lap-and-shoulder seat belt.
Seat Belt - Kids should be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall for a seat belt to fit correctly. A proper fit means the lap belt should rest firmly on their upper thighs, not their stomach. The shoulder belt should sit snugly on their shoulder and chest, avoiding the neck and face.
REMINDER: All children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat of the vehicle due to their smaller body frames and higher risk of injury or death from the front seat air bags!
