Buying Tips

Unborn - 1 yr. & Below 4 lbs.

Seats for Tiny Babies

Babies less than four pounds who are ready to leave the hospital need special care.

Ask your doctor about the special breathing test for preemies.

Your doctor may recommend that you buy a car bed for tiny babies.

If your baby has special transportation needs, talk to an expert. To find an expert, send an email to [email protected].

Unborn - 2 yrs. & 4 - 40 lbs.

Types of Car Seats

Your child should be in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2.

There are three types of rear-facing car seats:

  • People often buy rear-facing-only car seat because they are portable. Most, but not all, can be used in strollers that are sold with the car seat or those recommended by the manufacturer. Caregivers can also purchase extra bases for the car seat so that it can be used in several cars. 
  • A convertible car seat is larger and stays in the car. It can be used rear facing until your child is at least 2. After that, it can change to a forward-facing seat.
  • A 3-in-1 car seat also stays in the car. You can use it rear facing, forward facing, and then later, as a booster seat.

Each of these will work for a child less than 2 years old.

2 - 5 yrs. & 21 - 65 lbs.

Types OF forward-facing CAR SEATS

Look for a forward-facing car seat with a harness and top tether that has room for your child to grow for several years.

There are four types of forward-facing car seats.

  • convertible car seat can be used in a rear-facing position, and then turned to face forward when your child is big enough. If you have one of these seats, you do not need to buy a new car seat until your child is ready for a booster seat.
  • A forward-facing-only car seat is used in only one direction and has a 5-point harness and top tether.
  • A combination seat is forward-facing with a 5-point harness and top tether, and can change into a booster seat when you remove the harness.
  • A 3-in-1 car seat can be used in a rear-facing position, a forward-facing position and as a booster seat.

Carefully read the labels if you decide to use a combination seat or a 3-in-1 car seat. Follow height and weight limits. The labels will tell you when to remove the harness and switch to a booster seat.

6 - 8 yrs. & 40 - 120 lbs.

booster seats
Types of Booster Seats

booster seat provides a step between a car seat with a harness and a seat belt alone. It boosts the child for a safer and more comfortable fit of the adult seat belt. 

There are two types of booster seats.

  • A high back booster is best if your vehicle has a low seat back and no head rest. Like adults, children need support behind their heads. A high-back booster may also be good for younger children who fall asleep in the car or who like the extra comfort and a place to lean their heads.
  • A backless booster may be more convenient if you carpool or travel. They are typically less expensive. However, the vehicle must have a seat back high enough to provide support behind your child’s head. What’s high enough? Your child’s ears should be below the top of the vehicle seat or head rest.  

Before you buy a booster seat, make sure your child meets the weight or height limits allowed in her forward-facing car seat. The child must also be mature enough to ride without a harness. She needs to stay in the booster seat the entire ride with the seat belt properly fitted across the shoulder and below the hips.

9 - 12 yrs & Over 80 lbs.

Safe ride OPTIONS FOR Older Kids

Even if your child is older, she may be small enough that she still needs a booster seat to properly position the adult seat belt across her shoulder and hips to make her as safe as possible.
If your older child complains about having to use a booster seat, consider using a backless booster that is not as visible to others.

Like adults, children need support behind their heads, so be sure your child is seated in a place that has a head rest.

Wait to move to a seat belt until your child fits in the adult seat belt correctly. An easy way to find out if your child is big enough is to take the Seat Belt Fit Test.

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