There are so many car seat types and models, how do you know which one is right for your child? The right car seat or booster fits your child and your car, and is one you will use correctly every time you travel. Not only will your child ride as safely as possible, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels. GET HELP: Certified child passenger safety technicians are available to help you find the right car seat for your child's age and size. Find Local Help More help is also available at a Child Car Seat Inspection Station. And be sure to check out NHTSA's Ease of Use Ratings on all car seats. |
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The safest place for your child to ride is in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat. In a crash, the rear-facing car seat protects your child's head, neck, and spine. Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible according to manufacturers' instructions.
Types
Infant Car Seat (Rear-Facing Only)
"Infant-only" car seats can only be used rear-facing. These types of seats are designed to be portable and |
Convertible
Convertible car seats offer you the advantage of using one seat for both the rear-facing and then the forward-facing position as your child grows. Read the manual carefully, and remember that children should continue to ride rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit before you move them to the forward-facing position.
All-in-One or 3-in-1
All-in-One and 3-in-1 seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster.
Best Practices
Final Thought:
Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, according to the car seat manufacturer’s directions. If your child is older than age 2 and still fits the car seat -- used rear-facing -- it’s fine for your child to continue to ride rear-facing. Be sure to check the height and weight limits for the seat. You can find the height and weight limits printed on the labels on the car seat and in the manual.
When your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, the child should ride in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat. A forward-facing car seat has a harness and uses a top tether to limit your child’s forward movement during a crash.
Types
Convertible |
3-in-1 / All-in-One
All-in-One and 3-in-1 seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with a harness, then booster. Use these seats forward-facing with a harness and tether after your child reaches the top rear-facing size limit allowed by the manufacturer.
Combination
Combination car seats convert from a forward-facing car seat with a harness to a booster seat. Keep your child in the full harness for as long as possible. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the size limits.
Some younger children may outgrow the weight or height limit of the forward-facing car seat with a harness, but may not be ready to stay seated properly in a booster seat using the lap and shoulder belt. If this is the case look for a car seat with a higher size limits.
We know you have many options to choose from when selecting a car seat or a booster seat – whether it is the first seat you use or when you are ready to transition to the next seat type. For more help in this area, CLICK HERE for our Ease of Use Ratings on all car seats.
A booster seat raises and positions your child so that the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt fit properly. A booster seat keeps the lap belt from causing injury to the child's abdomen and keeps the shoulder belt in place to give the child upper body protection. In the event of a crash, an adult seat belt that does not fit a child properly can actually cause injury rather than prevent it, because it doesn't fit over the strong parts of the child’s body.
Types
High-Back Booster Seats We recommended that you use a high-back booster if your vehicle has a low seat back. A low seat back does not offer any support for your child’s head either by the vehicle seat back or the head rest. |
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Backless Booster Seats If your vehicle seat or head rest do provide support for your child’s head, you may use a backless booster seat. |
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Combination or All-in-One Car Seats, Used as Boosters When your child outgrows the height or weight limits of the harness, remove the harness and use the seat as a booster. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on how to convert your seat to a booster. |
When to Move to a Seat Belt:
For a child to properly fit a seat belt, the child must:
Additionally:
Best Practice: Keep your child should in the back seat because it is safer there.