Stage 1: Rear-facing car seats in the back seat

Infants and young toddlers should be placed in rear-facing child safety seats until they are at least one year old and 20 pounds in weight. Check the height and weight limit on your particular seat.

Stage 2: Forward-facing car seats in the back seat

After outgrowing the rear-facing seat, older toddlers and young children should be placed in forward-facing child safety seats until they reach the recommended upper weight range indicated on the seat (usually around age four and 40 pounds).

Stage 3: Booster seats in the back seat

Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seats, he or she should use a booster seat in the back seat, until the seat belt fits properly, usually between four and eight years of age or when they reach 4’9” in height.

Stage 4: Seatbelts

After children outgrow the booster seat (at 4’ 9”) they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat—as long as it fits properly. The lap belt should fit across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should fit snugly across the chest, and not cross the neck or face.