As of April 2, 2025, parents and caregivers should be aware of some states’ new car seat laws that went into effect.
For instance, new car seat laws in Michigan stipulate:
- Rear-facing until age 2: A child must be in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer or the child is 2 years old.
- Full car seat until age 5: The child can then move into a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer or the child is 5 years old.
- Boosters are allowed at age 5: The child can then move to a belt-positioning booster seat using a lap-and-shoulder belt until they are 4 feet, 9 inches or 8 years old.
- Stay in the back seat: All children under 13 years must ride in the rear seat of a vehicle if the vehicle has one available.
The new car seat laws come as other states are considering additional changes to car seat laws, including California and Florida, which are both considering banning small teen riders from using the front seat. All the new laws and proposed bills come as more evidence shows young and small-frame riders are injured at higher rates in the front seats of vehicles.
Even if your state hasn’t enacted specific car seat laws, these laws are a good guideline to follow, as they are in line with expert safety recommendations to keep kids riding in the back and rear-facing as long as possible. Always check your state’s car seat laws, of course, and follow any car seat manufacturer’s instructions to help you decide when it’s time to change your child’s car seat.
The goal is always safety and as a mom of five kids, here are some of the products our family uses during car rides.
Birth to Age 2 Years: Rear-Facing Only
$227.99
from
Many parents already use rear-facing seats for as long as possible, but now with states like Michigan making it law, parents will have to keep all babies and toddlers rear-facing until their child is at least 2 years old. I have found it helpful to go with a convertible car seat from birth that can “grow” with your child.
For instance, we owned this Graco Extend2Fit that we were able to use with my daughter straight from the hospital up until she was ready to move into a booster seat. The car seat is designed specifically for extended rear-facing with a four-position adjustable extension panel that provides up to 5 inches additional legroom and a weight capacity of 50 pounds for rear-facing.
Impressively, this Graco can even convert directly into a high-back booster that can be used up to 100 pounds. I really enjoyed the ease and convenience of this car seat and my daughter was always comfortable in it.
2 to 5 Years: Forward-Facing Can Be Used
Rear-facing for as long as your child meets the car seat measurements is always going to be the safest way to have them right in the car, but according to the new state car seat laws, you can move a child to a forward-facing car seat at 2 years old (or if they grow out the car seat before then).
We owned this Britax ClickTight for our kids and I loved it for exactly what it says: it has an audible “click” that makes installation so much easier than traditional car seats (truly, why is installing the car seat so hard?) and the straps are easy to adjust. It is a bit heftier than some other slim car seat models, but I felt safe using the Britax.
I also appreciated the built-in cup holders and the machine-washable cover. One time, all of my kids got hit with the stomach flu at once on the way home in the car. Ask me how I know cleaning out a car seat can be a task you don’t want to take on.
Ages 5 to 8 Years Old: Consider a High-Back Booster
According to the new Michigan car seat laws, starting at age 5, you can switch your child to a belt-positioning booster seat. My daughter is currently 5 years old, and I prefer to use a high-back booster for her because it provides more structure and helps position the shoulder strap more accurately.
I also think a high-back booster is more comfortable for my daughter and it provides her some assistance with buckling herself, thanks to the belt guides. Lastly, I prefer a booster with built-in cupholders — we’re in the car a lot with sports and different activities, so having that little touch of convenience really helps keep her happy on car rides (and makes my life easier to ensure she stays hydrated!).
The Diono is one of my favorite car seat brands because it has a proven record for safety and the company’s engineers have mastered the art of being strong and lightweight. I love how this booster has a carry handle to make traveling or just switching vehicles super easy. You can also detach the back when you’re ready to make this a backless booster as well, so it’s like two products in one.
Lastly, I like the added safety of the Diono, because it still uses a LATCH system to secure to the car.
Ages 5 to 8 Years Old: Or Use a Backless Booster
While I prefer the high-back booster for my daughter, I also own two affordable backless boosters. I keep one of these in my car and one in the garage so I always have an extra on hand.
I use the backless boosters if we happen to pick up one of my kids’ friends or cousins, or if an unexpected playdate or trip with a family member or friend comes up. That way, I can easily pull out the booster from my trunk and pass it along to grandma or another loved one to help ensure my kid stays safe.
These boosters are super easy to use — you just pop them on the seat and it raises the child up higher so the seat belt is positioned properly and safely across their shoulder. The fabric is also removable and machine-washable so you can easily clean it up in the event of spills or messes.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
