How to Choose the Best Car Seat for Your Child

How long are car seats good for?

• The expiration date for a car seat varies from car seat to car seat. Car seat expiration dates range from eight to twelve years, depending on the product. Many of our car seats have a sticker on the back of the seat with the date of manufacture. To find out when the seat expires, look in your manual for the lifespan of your seat.

When is it time to change from rear facing to forward facing?

• All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the seat's manufacturer. All children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the seat's manufacturer.

When should I switch to a booster car seat?

• All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their convertible car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until your car’s seatbelt fits properly. This is usually when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height, and are eight to twelve years old.