Child Car Seat Stages
High back booster seats offer a bit more side protection and can help remind kiddos to sit properly.
Child car seat stages. Toddler booster seats are similar to convertible car seats in that they transition with your child from one stage to the next. As a child grows this seat can change from a rear facing seat to a forward facing seat with a harness and tether. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. When a child has outgrown their five point harnessed car seat is at least 5 years old and is mature enough to sit properly they can move to a belt positioning booster seat.
There are two types of booster seats. Most babies outgrow their infant seats before their first birthday. Children can use a booster seat when they have outgrown the weight or height limit of their forward facing harnesses which will be between 40 and 65 pounds. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear facing for 2 years or more.
They come equipped with a five point harness for smaller children to wear in the forward facing position but also work with the cars own seat belt system once the child reaches the appropriate weight. In rear facing mode most convertible car seats start around 4 pounds and max out at between 40 and 50 pounds. High back and backless. Rear facing car seats until at least age 2 start your child in a rear facing car seat in the back seat.
When that happens we recommend that parents purchase a convertible or all in one car seat and use it rear facing. The best practice car seat stages are based upon child restraint systems that have an increased height and weight limit so children can remain rear facing longer and in 5 point harness seat and booster seat longer depending on the height weight limits to keep them safer. Car seats if used correctly can dramatically reduce the risk of death or injury. Rear face until at least age 2 and until they reach the upper weight and height limits of the seat even up to age 4.
The right car seat can make all the difference in a crash.