 [ Symptoms ] what are the new guidelines for child safety seats [ Disease ] the five recommendations children should ride in a rear facing child safety seat at least until age two or until they are too big for the maximum size of their seat all children two years or older or younger than two if they have outgrown their backwards facing seat should use a forward facing seat with a harness for as long as possible this would typically be around age four children should then use a belt positioning booster seat until they have outgrown it typically between age 8 12 and around 49  when children are big enough to use a seat belt alone they should always use a lap and shoulder belt all children less than 13 years should always be seated in the rear seat of the vehicle the new guidelines can be simplified to stay in the current seat until your child has definitely outgrown it according to the manufacturer is specifications do not rush into the next seat