Choose and Install
Choosing the right seat by age or stage
Children come in all shapes and sizes. It’s important for you to really evaluate your child by age or stage of their growth. And sometimes a combination of both factors. A toddler who is big for his age and a small 4-year old, for instance, may require the same type of seat. And of course an infant needs special consideration, as does a child with special medical needs. In any circumstance a child under the age of 13 MUST ride in the back seat of a vehicle.
Whether it’s your baby’s first car seat or your child is outgrowing his booster seat, you need to pick the right protection.
Make sure your baby or child has the right car seat for every stage of his or her childhood. The range of car seats can be broken into six distinct stages or ages (remember, all children grow at different rates!)
Note: The information presented here is to be used as a guideline only and cannot be substituted for proper medical opinion. Please speak with your doctor for detailed information on the medical and transportation needs of your baby.
Premature and smaller infants: rear-facing seats
If your baby weighs less than 5.5lbs (2.5kg) or has a shoulder harness height of less than 23 cm, you may need to choose a car seat that fits smaller babies in the rear-facing position.
Read more >
If your baby has medical or another sort of special need, you’ll want to take some extra steps to help ensure his or her safety. Standard car seats can be used for some children with special needs and are readily available. Of course, speak to your doctor to find out if a standard seat will work for your baby.
Read more >
0 – 12 months: rear-facing seats
In this stage, your child will require to be in a rear-facing seat. This position is recommended, as babies don’t have the head and neck strength to travel facing the front while in a car seat. In the rear-facing position, the force of a crash or sudden stop is spread across the baby’s whole body and absorbed into the back of the car seat.
The weight limits for this car seat range from birth up to 40 lbs (18 kg) We recommend keeping your child facing the back for as long as possible.
Remember there are three types of rear-facing car seats:
- Infant-only seat
- Infant-child seat
- Infant-child-booster seat.
1 – 4 years: forward-facing stage
During this stage, your child has stronger head control, neck movements, spine and bones. That means he or she may be developmentally ready to move into a forward-facing car seat. To be sure your child is ready, he or she should weigh at least 22 lbs (10 kg), be at least one year of age and walking unassisted. Don’t be in a hurry to start using a forward-facing car seat, rear-facing position is the safest position for your child. Keep your child rear facing until they outgrow the seat by height or weight.
Please note that the law requires the use of a tether strap.
There are four kinds of car seats that you can choose from:
- Infant – Child seat
- Child – Booster seat
- Infant – Child – Booster seat
- Built –In car seat
4 – 8 years: the booster seat stage
Booster seats are designed for children up to 8 years old and who weigh between 40-80 lbs (18kg-36kg), and who stand with a height of less than 4’9’’ (145cm.)
Booster seats enhance safety when used correctly with a built-in seat belt. Remember, the Ministry of Transportation has made the use of booster seats mandatory for children who have outgrown a car seat, but are still too small for a regular seat belt. Not using a booster seat can cause serious internal injuries or even death in the event of a crash.
There are four types of booster seats to choose from:
- Child-Booster seat
- High-Back Belt –Positioning Booster seat
- Removeable –Back Booster seat
- No-back Booster seat
8 years and over: the seat belt stage
Seat belts are not meant for children until they’ve reached the age of 8 (or often older if they are small.) Your child could be ready for a seat belt if the lap belt sits over the thighs and NOT over the abdomen. The shoulder belt should be positioned across the shoulders and chest so that it doesn’t cut into the neck. Your child should also be able to bend the knees comfortably over the edge of the vehicle seat while sitting upright.
| h o m e | choose & install | faq’s | contact us |
Health Topics A-Z | Information for Professionals | Information for Workplaces
| School Corner | Employment Opportunities | Clinics, Classes and Events | Resources & Factsheets | Translated Information | About Public Health | Contact Us
Public Health Home Page
Revised: October 21, 2010