Occupant Protection > Child Car Seats > Stages
Child Car Seat Stages
There are four stages:
- Stage 1: Rear Facing Infant Seats
- Stage 2: Forward Facing Child Seats
- Stage 3: Booster Seats
- Stage 4: Seat Belts
The following guidelines will help you use your child car seat properly. However, it’s still important to read and follow your child car seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
Always check Transport Canada's website for child restraint recalls and public notices.
Stage 1: Rear Facing Infant Seats
To be used from newborn and for as long as the infant seat's height and weight limits apply. Your child should be a MINIMUM of 22 lbs., one year old, and walking before you consider transitioning to a front-facing seat.
Infant Only
- Rear facing only
- Available with or without base
- Has carrying handle
Infant/Child (Convertible)*
- Can be used in rear facing position
- Converts to forward facing seat for Stage 2
Infant/Child/Booster (3 in 1 Combination)*
- Can be used in rear facing position
- Converts to forward facing seat for Stage 2 and a booster seat for Stage 3
Tips for Safe Installation
- Refer to car seat and vehicle owner’s manuals.
- Face seat towards rear of vehicle.
- Route seat belt/ Universal Anchorage System (UAS) through correct belt path for rear facing use.
- Seat belt/UAS should hold the seat tight, with no more than one inch of movement either side to side or back to front. Test the tightness by trying to move the seat as you hold it at the foot.
- Recline seat to a 45 degree angle, approximately. A pool noodle or rolled towels can be used under the foot of the child car seat to get the correct angle.
- Check your owner’s manual to find the correct position for the carrying handle.
- The safest position is the rear middle seat, whenever possible.
*Experts agree keeping your child rear facing is safest. Use the Convertible or 3 in 1 Combination seats to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible. The weight and height limits for the rear facing stage are often higher than those for the infant only seat. Check the owner's manual or labels on the seat for details.
Stage 2: Forward Facing Child Seats
To be used after your child has outgrown the height and weight limits of your rear-facing infant seat or is a minimum of 22 lbs, one year old, and walking.
Infant/Child (Convertible)
- Use in forward facing mode with harness system and top tether strap
- All seats have different weight and height limits. Check for the one that will best suit the needs of your child.
Infant/Child/Booster (3 in 1 combination)
- Use in forward facing mode with harness system and top tether strap
- Can remove harness system and top tether strap to convert to booster seat for Stage 3
Child/Booster
- Use in forward facing mode with harness system and top tether strap
- Can remove harness system and top tether strap to convert to booster seat for Stage 3
Tips for Safe Installation
- Refer to car seat and vehicle owner’s manuals.
- Face seat towards front of vehicle.
- Route seat belt/UAS through correct belt path for forward facing use.
- Seat belt/UAS should hold the seat tight, with no more than one inch of movement either side to side or back to front when testing the tightness by holding at the lower back of the seat.
- Place seat in upright position.
- Secure top tether strap tightly to anchor. Passenger cars made after 2000 and light trucks, SUVs and vans made after 2001 come with top tether anchors installed. Passenger cars made between 1989 and the above noted dates come with pre-drilled holes in the vehicle. For these and older vehicles, contact your vehicle manufacturer to have anchors installed.
- Secure top tether strap to correct anchor. Check your owner’s manual to confirm anchor locations.
- The safest position is rear middle seat, whenever possible.
Seats with weight limits for children over 40 lbs. are available. If your child is over 40 lbs. but younger than 4-1/2 years old, consider keeping him or her in a harness system for better protection.
To be used when your child reaches a minimum of 40 lbs. and is approximately 4½ years of age. If a child reaches 40 lbs but is younger than 4½, a forward facing seat with a higher weight limit would be recommended.
Infant/Child/Booster (3 in 1)
- Converts to booster by removing harness system and top tether strap
- Use with lap-shoulder seat belt system
Child/Booster
- Converts to booster by removing harness system and top tether strap
- Use with lap-shoulder seat belt system
Booster
- Available in high back and no back models
- Consider head support in your vehicle when deciding whether to purchase a high back or no back booster seat. The middle of the child’s ear should not come past the top of the booster seat or the head restraint.
- Use with lap-shoulder seat belt system.
Tips for Safe Installation
- Refer to car seat and vehicle owner’s manuals.
- Face seat towards front of vehicle.
- Wear lap belt low on the hips.
- Wear shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest.
- The safest position is rear middle seat, whenever possible.
To be used only when the seat belt system fits your child properly
Guidelines:
- Use a seat belt when your child is over 4’9” or 9 years old and 80 lbs.
- Child should not slouch in the vehicle seat
- Child’s head should be well protected by a head restraint in the vehicle. The middle of the child’s ear should not come past the top of the head restraint.
- The seat belt system should fit properly across the shoulder and chest and sit low across the lap.
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