Rear-Facing Carriers & Seats
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children remain rear-facing until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2. While the child can be turned forward-facing when they turn one year of age AND weigh at least 20 pounds, following the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations is suggested.

Rear-Facing Infant Carrier (Birth up to 20 pounds*)
Infant carriers may only be used in the back seat in a rear-facing position. They can be used with or without the base. Usually extra bases can be purchased from the manufacturer for families with multiple vehicles. Make sure the canopy and handle are locked behind the infant carrier. Because of the low weight limit on infant carriers, a rear-facing convertible seat will have to be purchased in order that the child can remain rear-facing for at least one year AND weigh 20 pounds.

Rear-Facing Convertible Car Seat (Birth to 35 pounds*)
Rear-facing convertible seats have higher weight limits thereby allowing the child to remain in the seat for a longer period of time. Check that your child meets the minimum required weight for the seat, especially at birth.

To ensure a proper fit in ALL rear-facing seats:

• The retainer clip must be at chest level between the armpits.
• The harness straps should fit snugly against the child’s body.
• Rear-facing seats should be tight when pulled at the belt path, however, the top of the seat should be loose. In the case of a crash, this allows the seat to rock with force of the crash thereby offering the child the best protection.
• The harness straps should be at or below the child’s shoulders.

Forward-facing Car Seat (1-4 years; 20-40 pounds*)
Some forward-facing seats start out as rear-facing seats. Others are forward-facing only and convert into a booster seat when your child reaches the maximum height and weight. Regardless of what direction the seat faces, it must ALWAYS be installed in the back seat to prevent air bag injuries and broken windshield glass from causing additional injuries.

To ensure a proper fit in ALL forward-facing seats:

• The harness straps must be at or above shoulders.
• The retainer clip must be at chest level between the armpits.
• The harness straps should fit snugly against the child’s body.

Belt-positioning Booster Seat (4-8 years; 40 pounds* and higher, up to 4’8” tall)
The purpose of a booster seat is to raise the child to a level that the lap shoulder belt will fit them properly. Belt positioning booster seats do not connect to the vehicle seat. The seat cannot be used with the lap belt only or your child will risk back injuries in the event of a crash. Lap shoulder belts are designed for people 4’9” and taller can cause neck and back injuries if used for children 4’8” and under.

To ensure a proper fit in ALL booster seats:

• The child’s head should be at least one inch below the back of the booster seat.
• The upper belt guide allows the shoulder belt to cross the child’s shoulder, not the neck.
• The lower belt guide allows the lap belt to cross the child’s lap, not the child’s abdomen.

*Weight limits vary from seat to seat so be sure to follow the seat’s weight limit which can be found in the owner’s manual.

Lap Shoulder Belt in the Back Seat (at least 4’9” tall)
Although your child is able to sit using only a seat belt, they should remain seated in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. Your child should sit upright and her legs should bend at the knees at the edge of the vehicle seat. Your child’s height is the most important factor in deciding whether or not they should be using a seat belt instead of a booster seat.

To ensure a proper fit with a lap shoulder belt:

• The child is sitting upright and her head is above the vehicle seat.
• The shoulder belt crosses the child’s shoulder, not the neck.
• The lap belt crosses the child’s lap, not the child’s abdomen.

Lap Shoulder Belt in the Front Seat (13 years of age and older)
Once the child reaches thirteen years of age, their body is strong enough to withstand the force of a deployed air bag. All front seat passengers (adults and children) should move the seat as far back as possible. They may also tilt the seat back slightly to help maximize the distance between the driver’s chest and the steering wheel. In order to allow the air bag to deploy safely, front seat passenger should avoid leaning or reaching forward. They should remain seated against the seat back with as little slack in the belt as possible to minimize forward movement in a crash. (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) 

To ensure a proper fit with a lap shoulder belt in the front seat:

• The shoulder belt is in front of the occupant.
• The passenger is seated a safe distance from the dashboard air bag.