Figuring out when to transition your child to the next car seat can be confusing. Some parents do it too early, and some wait too long. Adding to the confusion is that recently ABC news reported that new health and safety recommendations say that children should be in rear-facing car seats until age 4. What's a parent to do?

Here is a handy guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Georgia explaining when to transition from an infant to rear-facing seat. For both cases, the seat should be secured with seat belts or LATCH.

• Birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds: Infant-only rear-facing or rear-facing convertible.
• Less than 1 year and 20 to 35 pounds: Rear-facing convertible.

The same groups provide guidelines for older children:

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