Children should weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 - 18 kg) and be able pull themselves up to stand independently before you use a forward-facing toddler seat. Using the seat before a child is 20 lbs can be dangerous, as their neck and back muscles and bone structure are not strong enough to withstand the force of a crash.

Make sure to anchor the seat with a tether strap and attach it securely to a bolt on the rear shelf of a car or the floor of a van, station wagon or hatchback.

A booster seat raises a child so that they can use an adult seat belt properly. If the mid-point of their ears are over the back of the child restraint or they weigh 40 lbs (18 kg) or more, you should move them to a booster seat. You should use a booster seat until a child is over the manufacturer’s weight and height limit or if the mid-point of their ears are above the top of the high back booster or vehicle seat.