The AAP provides the following guidelines for car seat safety: Rear-Facing Seats: Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, typically until they reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. This is usually around 2 years of age or more. Forward-Facing Seats: Once your child outgrows the rear-facing seat, transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Continue using this seat until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit set by the manufacturer, usually around 4 years of age. Booster Seats: After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, use a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly. This typically happens when your child is between 8 and 12 years old and at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Seat Belts: Children should use a seat belt alone only when they are tall enough to sit with their back against the vehicle seat, knees bent at the edge of the seat, and the seat belt crossing the shoulder and lap properly.