Choosing the right car seat is one of the most important safety decisions you will make as a parent. The correct seat depends on three factors: your child's age, weight, and height. Here is a breakdown of the four stages.
Stage 1: Infant Car Seats (Birth to 12 months)
Infant car seats are rear-facing only and designed for babies from 4 to 35 pounds. They feature a carry handle and detach from a base that stays in the car. Our lightweight plastic infant car seats offer easy installation and compact designs that fit most vehicles.
Stage 2: Convertible Car Seats (Birth to 4 years)
Convertible seats start rear-facing and convert to forward-facing as your child grows. They accommodate children from 5 to 65 pounds. Our all-in-one car seats with 5-point harness systems grow with your child through multiple stages.
Stage 3: Booster Seats (4 to 8 years)
Once your child outgrows the forward-facing seat, a booster seat positions the adult seatbelt correctly across their shoulder and lap. We offer both backless and high-back boosters in multiple sizes and colors.
Stage 4: Seat Belt Only (8+ years)
Children can use the vehicle seat belt alone when it fits properly — the lap belt lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest. Most children need a booster until they are 4'9" tall.
Installation Tips
- Always use the LATCH system or seat belt — never both
- The seat should not move more than 1 inch side-to-side
- Rear-facing seats should be at a 30-45 degree angle
- Check the harness — it should be at or below shoulder level for rear-facing, at or above for forward-facing
