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A simple way to understand the different car seat stages
While provincial car seat laws in Canada vary slightly, if you follow our recommendations you will be meeting or exceeding the law in any Canadian province or territory, as well as providing maximum protection for your child. In the best interest of your child, resist the temptation to move on to the next car seat stage too early.
Rear-facing
Infants should remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible because it is the most protective design for vulnerable bodies. We recommend that parents continue to use a rear-facing car seat even when their child exceeds the standard 10 kg (22lbs) criteria mandated by some provincial laws. Many rear-facing car seats are now designed for much heavier and taller children and we strongly encourage using such a model. While three provinces refer to one year of age as a criteria for the option of moving to forward-facing, we urge parents to exceed this and use a rear-facing for as long as the car seat accommodates their child’s height and weight and until the child is walking confidently and unassisted, which indicates good spinal development.
Forward- facing
Once a child has outgrown the height and weight restrictions for their rear-facing car seat and can walk unassisted (well over one year of age), they can transition to a forward-facing car seat that matches their height and weight. We strongly encourage parents to choose a forward-facing car seat that accommodates a higher range of height and weight, so that a child can use it for an extended period of time.
Booster seat
When a child has outgrown the height and weight restrictions for their forward-facing car seat, it’s time to try some booster seat models. It’s important to get a good fit, so it may be necessary to try several types and there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest high back booster seats are preferable. The booster seat must position the vehicle seat belt low on the child’s hips, and the shoulder belt must rest in the middle of the child’s shoulder, not touching the neck. Parents are strongly urged to use a booster seat until their child reaches a height of at least 145cm (4ft, 9in) tall, and this is the law in some provinces.
Seat belt alone
Your child has arrived at this stage when they have outgrown their booster seat height and weight restrictions, or the booster seat no longer positions the vehicle lap and shoulder belt correctly on your child’s body. When transitioning to this stage, be sure to test where the seat belt rests, in the same manner as the booster seat functioned. The vehicle lap belt must rest low on the child’s hips, and the shoulder belt must rest in the middle of the child’s shoulder, not touching the neck. If neither the seat belt alone, nor the current booster seat, position the lap and shoulder belt properly, a different model of booster seat is required until the child has grown a little taller.
