Car Seat Stages: Rear-Facing, Forward-Facing, Booster, Seat Belt

Using the right car seat for your child's size is one of the best ways to protect them in a crash. Here are the four stages, following the CDC.

1. Stage 1: Rear-Facing

From birth, use a rear facing car seat. Keep your child rear facing until they reach the top height or weight limit of that seat, often somewhere between ages two and four. And never put a rear facing seat in front of an airbag.

2. Stage 2: Forward-Facing

Once they outgrow it, move to a forward facing seat with a harness and a top tether, in the back seat. Keep using it until at least age five, or until they reach the seat's limit.

3. Stage 3: Booster Seat

Next comes a booster seat, in the back, until the regular seat belt fits right. That's usually somewhere between ages nine and twelve.

4. Stage 4: Seat Belt

The seat belt fits when the lap belt sits low across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest, not the neck or face.

5. Back Seat Until 13

And keep kids buckled up in the back seat until age thirteen.

6. Free Help

Car seats can be tricky to install. Read both the seat manual and your car's manual. And a certified car seat technician can check your installation, often for free.