How Long Should Your Child Use a Car Seat?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends that kids use car seats or booster seats from birth until they are 8 years old or at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Newborns are safest in rear-facing infant car seats until they are a year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. If your child is less than 12 months old yet exceeds the maximum weight for a rear-facing infant seat, a convertible car seat will allow your baby to ride in the safer rear-facing position until a year old, then converts to a front-facing model for toddlers.

A convertible car seat/booster combo can be used as a front-facing car seat for a child who weighs between about 30 and 40 pounds, then convert to a booster seat later. Safety experts say it's tempting to stop using a car seat when your child reaches school age, but kids are safest riding in the rear seat and using a booster seat -- which allows for better positioning of your car's seat belt until your child is tall enough to use the adult safety belt alone.