We have seen an elevation in the risk of injuries to the children during vehicle crashes due to being restrained. The parents must have basic knowledge about the baby’s car seat weight chart before buying it.
Because appropriate car seats relevant to the age and weight of your child minimize the chances of harm to them.
Car seats have variations depending upon the weight and age of children (from newborn to 12 years old from 7 lbs. to 10 lbs.).
Table of Contents
Car Seat Weight Chart
Baby car seats have variations in them to suit children of different weights until they turn 100+ lbs.
The parents should buy a car seat that best suits their child. It is important for their safety.
Group 0+ Car Seats
Are you looking for a car seat for your newborn? You should consider the choices available in Group 0+.
| Group number | Minimum Weight limit (lbs.) | Maximum Weight limit (lbs.) |
| Group 0/0+ | 7 | 28 |
| Group 0+/1 | 28 | 40 |
| Group 0+1/2 | 40 | 55 |
| Group 0+1/2/3 | 55 | 80 |
*0/0 group denotes = newborns’ weight
Related: When Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat?
Group 0/0+ (7-28 lbs.):
- It will be best for your child from birth to 15 months of age or crosses the weight limit i.e. 28 lbs.
- It can be attached to the pushchair chassis to convert it into a travel system.
Note: don’t use car seats at home to sleep newborns in them as it may cause a cervical issue to them.
Group 0+/1+ (28-40 lbs.):
It has both rear and forward-facing features and can be used from the age of infancy to 4 years.
- It can be your travel partner until your child is 4+ years and healthier than 40 lbs.
Note: some baby car seat manufacturers allow forward-facing to1-year-old children however, it is not much safe. Therefore, it is better to avoid it.
- It can be permanently installed in your vehicle.
Group 0+1/2 (40-55 lbs.):
The majority of the parents like to go for Group 0/0+ and 0+/1 and then switch to Group 1+.
- It will remain in use until your child crossed the age of 7 years or 55 lbs.
PS: The reason is that most of the Group0+1/2 car seats have not been reviewed as safe due to their poor harness system.
Group 0+1/2/3 (55-80 lbs.):
It is the last one in Group 0+.
- This baby car seat will protect your child while in the car until they are allowed for an adult seat belt i.e. 12+ years or 80 lbs.
Group 1 Car Seats:
Group 1 car seats are designed for toddlers weighing between 19 to 80 lbs. It has further two categories:
These seas will remain your travel partner until: This car seat will last to protect your child while traveling until Note: Car seats in this group usually don’t have a harness system or seat belt. You can use your vehicle’s adult seat belt if necessary or buy one that offers an extended harness system. This is the third category in the Group 1, it will assist your child in riding in the car until: Group 3 is going to be your travel partner until: For the best protection, they should always use both lap and shoulder belts. Related: Types of Car Seats by Age American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended standards are best suitable to ensure the safety of your child while in the vehicle. There are four stages of buckling up for the children until they have reached the age of 12 years. All the newborns will ride rear-facing until they turned to 1 year old. Rear-facing car seats can be rear-facing, convertible, or all-in-1. Note: The parents will practice rear-facing rides with infants until they have crossed the age and weight limit recommended by the car seat manufacturers. Forward-facing car seats are allowed for the kids from the age of 3 years until they cross the age of 7 years. It can be rear-facing, convertible, or all-in-1 Related: Rear Facing Vs Forward Facing Statistics Switch to booster car seats when your child crossed their forward-facing car seat limit i.e. 6-7 years of age. It can be in 3 shapes: high back, no-back, or all-in-1. Note: booster cushions with wings and full-length back are safer for the kids as compared to backless boosters, providing additional protection. According to the car seat weight chart, parents should switch to an adult seat belt when their child has outgrown the age of a booster car seat i.e. from the age of 10-12 years. Note: Loose vehicle seat belt may be dangerous for your child. That’s why never go for it until you are satisfied that it will fit correctly or your child is above 12 years. Deciding over a car seat has become easy with a car seat weight chart. Car seat manufacturers also have AAP-approved car seat size charts. While switching to any next car seat, you are advised to make sure that you have read the instructions related to the seat, not buy an old or used car seat, and whether it will suit your vehicle or not. Baby or infant car seats are rear-facing only and have a weight limit of 7-40 lbs. while child car seats are convertible and have a weight range of 60-to-100 lbs. According to AAP approved car seat weight chart, the weight requirement for a booster car seat is 57.0+ lbs. National Center for Health Statistics recommends the height and weight chart for kids and car seat manufacturers use their instructions in their manufacturing and manual. Recommended height to switch to a booster car seat is 4ft. and 9ʺ and the age is n between 8-12 years. It is recommended to the parents to upgrade the car seat between 9 months and 2 years. The children of weight 65-100 lbs. or 2+ years of age are allowed for forward-facing car rides.
Group number
Minimum Weight limit (lbs.)
Maximum Weight limit (lbs.)
Group 1
19
40
Group 1/2/3
25
80
Group 2/3
33
80
Group 3
49
80
Group 1 (19-40 lbs.):
Group 1/2/3 (35-80 lbs.):
Group 2/3 (35-80 lbs.):
Group 3 (35-80 lbs.):
Car Seat Age Chart
Age-range
Type of car seat
General Instructions
Infants-Toddlers
Rear-Facing + Rear-Facing Convertible
Recommended by the car seat safety manufacturers: Infants and toddlers should use rear-facing car seats. Children of the age of 1 month to 2 years.
Toddlers-Pre-Schoolers
Forward-Facing Convertible + Forward-Facing With Harness
The children who have outgrown the age of using rear-facing car seats i.e. the children of 2+ years or 65+ lbs.
School Going Kids
Booster Car Seats
57.0+ lbs. or at the age of 8-10 years, your child can easily use a booster car seat without any restriction.
Older Children
Seat Belts
70.5+ lbs. or the child of 10+ years has grown enough to use the seat belt.
Car Seat Usage: Stages of Buckling Up
1. Rear-Facing (Birth-3-5 Years):
2. Forward Facing (3-5 to 6-7 Years):
3. Booster Seat (6-7 to 10-12 Years):
4. Adult Seat Belt (10-12 Years):
Conclusion
FAQs
Difference between baby and child car seats?
What are the booster seat weight requirements?
Who recommends a height and weight chart for kids?
How tall to be in a booster seat?
What weight can baby face-forward?
