Learn More About Each Stage
Let’s make sure we are all on the same page about what stage of car seat safety your child is in and the type of car seat you’re shopping for. Answer based on one kid and type of car seat at a time.
Infant
This rear-facing only car seat, designed for newborns up to, on average, 6-15 months, is easily removable while the baby stays strapped in. It clicks into a car seat base or can be installed baseless and seamlessly snaps into stroller travel systems. Portable and lightweight, it prioritizes convenience for parents and safety for newborns.
A child can transition from the infant car seat stage when they reach one of the car seat's limits OR the caregiver decides it's time.
Convertible
This is the longest car seat stage and it is designed to stay installed inside the vehicle. Your child will ride both rear and forward-facing in this seat.
While some models are suitable from birth, this stage is often used after the infant car seat. Typically utilized from around 6 to 12 months, until the child reaches the average age of 6 years. Similar to convertible car seats, that are used for rear and forward-facing, 3-in-1 and all-in-one car seats include booster modes.
We strongly recommend children rear-face until they reach one of the car seat's rear-facing limits so their body has ample time to grow and develop inside and out.
Forward-Facing Only/Combination
This car seat stage is used for children who are riding forward-facing, typically aged 4 to 8. It is first used as a harnessed seat and then transitions to a highback booster and sometimes a no back booster.
We recommend a child ride in the forward-facing harness until they reach one of the limits of that stage before transitioning to the high back booster mode.
High Back Booster
This stage uses the vehicle seat belt to secure the child. It is designed to support younger riders and properly position the vehicle seat belt to fit the child's body, typically aged 5-10.
Your child is now in charge of their own safety since they are no longer harnessed and can move their body. That requires a lot of maturity. We recommend a child maxes out the limits of their forward-facing, harnessed car seat before moving to this stage.
No Back Booster
This stage uses the vehicle seat belt to secure the child. It is designed to boost older and more mature children to properly position the vehicle seat belt to fit the child's body.
Many children need to use a booster seat until, on average, 10-12 years old before the vehicle seat belt alone will fit them correctly. This stage requires a child to sit properly the entire ride. We recommend a child maxes out the limits of their high back booster before moving to this stage.
*If your child is under age 4 and/or under 40lbs they will need to remain riding in a harnessed car seat.
