After kids complete the rear-facing stage, it is best to keep kids forward facing in a car seat with a harness as long as they are within the age, weight and height limits for the car seat. The harness in a forward-facing seat protects the child by contacting the strongest parts of the body and spreading crash forces over a wide area.

Using forward-facing car seats correctly:

• Always check the car seat and vehicle owner’s manual for the correct way to use and install.
• Follow all age, weight and height guidelines for the car seat. If your child has outgrown the seat, you may want to get a car seat that lets them stay in a forward-facing car seat longer.
• Once installed, the seat should move no more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path.
• Do not use car seats that are old, expired or have been in a crash.

What comes next?

Kids can move into a booster seat when:

• They are at least four years of age and 40 pounds, and they have reached the minimum age, weight and height guideline of the booster car seat.
• They are mature enough to sit correctly in the booster seat for the entire ride.

If these are not met, look for a new forward-facing car seat that goes to higher weights and heights to keep your child harnessed longer.