Car Seat Safety: How to Know When It's Time to Transition Your Child

Medically reviewed by Amy L. Hill, Executive Director, Lurie Children’s Injury Prevention & Research Center 

The right car seat at the right stage is one of the most effective ways to protect your child in a crash, but parents are often unsure when to transition between stages. The short answer: transitions should be based on your child's height and weight, not their age, and later transitions are generally safer than earlier ones. Our expert explains what parents and caregivers need to know about rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats and boosters, plus what Illinois law requires. 

The Four Stages of Car Seats

Every child moves through four car seat stages, rear-facing, forward-facing, booster and seat belt alone, and the right time to move between them depends on height and weight, not age. 

Every seat has its own manufacturer limits printed on the seat itself. Those numbers, not a general age guideline, are what should ultimately decide when a child moves to the next stage. 

Why Later Transitions Are Safer

It's tempting to move a child to the "next stage" as a milestone, but each stage is designed to protect a child's body in specific ways: 

• Rear-facing seats support a young child's head, neck, and spine in a crash, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping kids rear-facing as long as possible within the seat's height and weight limits, not just until age 2. 
• Forward-facing harnessed seats distribute crash force across the strongest parts of a child's body via the harness system, which a seat belt alone isn't designed to do for a smaller child. 
• Booster seats raise a child up so the seat belt crosses the chest and hips correctly, rather than the neck and stomach, where it can cause injury in a crash. 

Moving to the next stage too early, because of impatience, seat size or a child's own preference, removes a layer of protection while the crash risk stays the same. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest way to transition car seats? 

The safest approach is to keep a child in each stage as long as possible within that seat's manufacturer height and weight limits, rather than switching based on age alone. 

When can a child stop using a booster seat?

A child is usually ready to stop using a booster when they pass the 5-step seat belt fit test and are typically at least 4'9" tall, which often happens between ages 8 and 12. 

Is it okay to turn a car seat forward-facing at age 2?

Age 2 is only a minimum — the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of their seat, which is often well beyond age 2. 

Do older kids still need to sit in the back seat?

Yes. Children are generally safest in the back seat until at least age 13, even once they no longer need a booster or car seat. 

Is it safe if my child’s feet touch the seat when rear-facing? 

Yes, it is completely okay. This is one of the most commons questions parents have for car seat technicians. Keep your child rear-facing until they reach the rear-facing weight limit of their convertible car seat. 

What is Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act?

The Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act requires all children under 8 to be secured in an appropriate restraint system, with booster seats used only with a lap and shoulder belt. An amendment also requires children under 2 to ride in a rear-facing restraint unless they weigh 40 or more pounds or are 40 or more inches tall. 

Where can I get my car seat checked for proper installation? 

Many hospitals, fire departments, and police stations offer free car seat inspection events with certified technicians who can check the installation and confirm your child is in the right stage. If you live in the metro Chicago area and want your car seat checked, contact us at carseats@luriechildrens.org.

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