Types of Car Seats At a Glance
The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child’s age and size and the type of vehicle you have. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about choosing the most appropriate car safety seat for your child.
Note: This chart is a quick guide on where to start your search. It’s important to continue your research to learn about each car seat you use.
| Age Group | Type of Seat | General Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
|
Infants / Toddlers |
Rear-facing only seats and rear-facing convertible seats | All infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Seat until they are at least 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. |
|
Toddlers / Preschoolers |
Convertible seats and forward-facing seats with harnesses | Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for his convertible car seat should use a Forward-Facing Car Seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. |
| School-Aged Children | Booster seats | All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a Belt-Positioning Booster Seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age. |
| Older Children | Seat belts |
When children are old enough and large enough for the vehicle seat All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection. |
More Pediatric Information
In these articles you will find more valuable information to help you keep your kids healthy. We know you need as much relevant information as possible to make informed decisions, let our knowledge and experience help you.
