November 2023

When to Upgrade Your Child’s Car Seat at Every Stage

Deciding when to upgrade your child's car seat is essential for ensuring their safety while traveling. It can be challenging to determine if your child has outgrown their current car seat.

Check out our recommendations for car seat upgrades below!

Important Reminder: Always consult your vehicle's owner manual and the car seat safety manual for specific safety information, as each car seat and vehicle can differ!

Car Seat Upgrade Guidelines

Infants:

1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer.

Toddlers:
2. Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limits should transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible.

Young Children:
3. Once a child's weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly—typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years old.

Get Your Car Seats Inspected!
We recommend having your car seats inspected. Certified technicians typically offer free inspections and can show you how to install and use the car seat correctly. Some locations even provide virtual inspections. Our local inspection station is the Hilltop Family Resource Center!

If you have any questions, reach out to your provider during your next visit to discuss your child’s specific safety needs while traveling in the car!