Car seat stages: rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and when to move up

Keep your child in each car seat stage for as long as the seat allows. That means rear-facing first, until your child reaches the highest rear-facing height or weight limit of their convertible seat; then forward-facing with a five-point harness, to that seat's limits; then a belt-positioning booster until the adult seat belt fits properly; and the back seat until age 13. Moving up early is a step down in protection.

Why rear-facing for so long?

In a crash, a rear-facing seat cradles a young child's head, neck and spine and spreads the force across the back of the seat. Young children have relatively heavy heads and developing necks, so that support matters.

The American Academy of Pediatrics' 2018 policy statement dropped its earlier "until age 2" guidance. It now advises keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, until they hit the top height or weight limit for rear-facing on their seat. Many convertible seats allow rear-facing to 40 pounds or more, so lots of kids can stay rear-facing past their second birthday.

What about their legs touching the seat?

This worries many parents, but bent legs are comfortable for most kids, who sit cross-legged or prop their feet. Leg room on its own isn't a reason to turn a child forward.

When should my child switch to a forward-facing seat?

Only after they pass the rear-facing height or weight limit on the seat's sticker. Their birthday has nothing to do with it. From there it's forward-facing with the harness, until they max that out as well. Clip the top tether on every time, too. It's the strap that runs from the top of the seat to an anchor in the car, and it keeps their head from whipping as far forward if you get hit.

When is a child ready for a booster?

Once the harness is outgrown. The booster just lifts your kid so the car's seat belt crosses them where it should. Put a seven-year-old in the back with no booster and look: the lap belt's on their tummy and the shoulder belt's sawing at their neck, so they shove it behind them. That's the problem a booster fixes.

According to the AAP and NHTSA, most kids need a booster until they're about 4 feet 9 inches tall, which usually happens somewhere between 8 and 12. To check, have your child sit in the car without the booster. Their back should be flat against the seat with knees bending at the edge, the lap belt should sit low on the thighs, and the shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder rather than the neck. If they slouch by the end of the drive to school, give the booster a few more months.

How do I know the seat is installed right?

Read both the car seat manual and your vehicle manual. The seat shouldn't move more than an inch side to side or front to back at the belt path. Harness straps should be snug enough that you can't pinch extra webbing at the shoulder, with the chest clip at armpit level. Many fire stations, hospitals and certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians offer free checks.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child wear a puffy winter coat in the car seat?

No. Bulky coats compress in a crash and leave the harness too loose. Buckle your child in regular clothes, then lay a coat or blanket over the straps.

Is a used car seat okay?

Only if you know its full history. Don't use a seat that has been in a moderate or severe crash, is past its expiration date, or is missing parts or labels.

When can kids ride in the front seat?

The AAP recommends children ride in the back seat until age 13.