INFANT-ONLY SEATS—These seats are designed for babies weighing up to 22 pounds (generally 9-12 months of age). Infant safety seats should be installed to face the rear of the vehicle only and are secured by the vehicle safety belt. Infants under 1 year of age must ride in a rear-facing position. Never install a rearfacing child safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with activated air bags.

Make certain that the infant safety seat you purchase is certified for use in motor vehicles. This will be designated by a label on the seat. Household "baby carriers" and beds are inappropriate substitutes for child safety seats. They will not protect the child during a sudden stop, swerve, or crash.

CONVERTIBLE —These seats are designed for use by infants and toddlers. They can be used in a rear-facing position for infants up to 20 lbs or in the forward-facing position for toddlers up to 40 lbs (about 4 years of age). For infants exceeding 22 lbs, some convertible seats are designed to accommodate infants up to 30 lbs in a rear-facing position. Convertible seats are available in three basic styles: 5-point harness, T-shield and tray shield. Typically, those equipped with a harness system fit small infants best. For very small infants, rolling up small blankets or towels and placing them on each side of the infant's body should make the infant more comfortable in this larger seat. Though a convertible seat would accommodate an infant, it is best to begin with an infant-only seat for the best fit and protection.

HIGH-BACK BELT POSITIONING BOOSTER—These seats are intended for older children. The seat is used as a transition from a toddler/convertible seat to the adult safety belt. These booster seats offer the best upper body protection for children weighing from about 40 to 65 pounds. Before the child is tall enough for the vehicle's shoulder belt, these seats offer a 5-point harness system to protect the upper body. Booster seats should be used until the child fits the lap/shoulder safety belt.

High-back belt positioning boosters are also designed to help lap and shoulder belts fit better.

INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY—These seats are intended for toddlers. They are built into the seat of the vehicle. Other versions are designed for the forward-facing child over 20 pounds/1 year of age. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual for instruction and recommended use of the integrated seat.

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