Perplexed By Child Car Seats? Here's A Look At Regulations Across ...

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For first-time parents, researching car seats can feel like learning a new language. There are ages, stages, measurements and charts, and the laws can vary from one jurisdiction to the next. And this goes on for almost 10 years.

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It’s a lot to remember. But we’re here to help. Here’s a quick reference guide to the definitions of each of the three stages for child restraints for cars – rear-facing, forward-facing and booster – and the regulations for each of the provinces and territories across Canada, along with a basic set of rules and suggestions all parents should follow.

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As for managing your kids’ fights when one of them outgrows a booster but the other has to stay in it for a while longer? We can’t help you with those, unfortunately.

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What The Stages Mean in Forward-Facing Car Seats?

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There are three established styles, or stages, of car seats for kids.

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Stage 1 is a rear-facing seat, one which puts the child with their back to the driver so they’re looking out the rear window. This is considered the safest position for young kids as it provides necessary support for their heads and necks, and it’s legally required across Canada for all children from birth until reaching a weight of at least 20 lbs, with most jurisdictions having even more stringent requirements.

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Outside of the law, it’s recommended parents keep their kids in Stage 1 for as long as possible, up until the child outgrows the height and weight restrictions of the rear-facing seat.

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