Car Seats

A properly fitted baby car seat is hands-down the best tool for keeping your child safe on the road, from that first hospital trip home through all the years of growing up. Every car seat sold in Canada must carry the National Safety Mark (NSM), certifying it meets strict Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

You've got two main types of car seats to choose from: infant car seats are for newborns and tiny tots, while convertible car seats are super versatile, from infancy on through until 4+ years, as they change with four stages of child restraint: rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and finally, buckled up in a regular seat.

How to Use A Baby Car Seat?

1. Get that base securely installed: Install the base securely: Anchor the base to your vehicle using the LATCH system (lower anchors plus top tether) or thread the vehicle seat belt through the correct belt path. The seat should not move more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) side-to-side or front-to-back once installed. Review your car seat manual before installing the car seat.
2. For forward-facing seats, always attach the top tether—this is a Transport Canada requirement that markedly improves crash protection. Review your car seat manual before installing the forward facing car seat.
3. Adjust the harness and recline for your child: Set the recline angle according to the manufacturer's level indicator—newborns need a more reclined position in the rear-facing seat, while older toddlers can ride more upright. Get the built-in harness adjusted so the chest clip sits at armpit level, and the straps are snug with no slack. And in winter, ditch the bulky coats under the harness. Use a blanket over the strapped child instead. Review your car seat manual before putting your baby in the car seat.
4. Keep an eye on your child's growth and transition through the four stages: Kids should be rear-facing until they reach the seat's weight and height limits, often until age 2-4, depending on the seat. Forward-facing seats are for kids over 10 kg (22 lb) who've outgrown rear-facing limits. Booster seats are for kids over 18 kg (40 lb), helping them sit higher so the seatbelt fits just right across the chest and upper thighs. When your child reaches about 36 kg (80 lb) or 145 cm (4 ft 9 in), a properly fitting seatbelt should be just fine, but always check your province's specific requirements. Review your car seat manual before installing the car seat.

Baby Car Seat In Canada Product Details

• Age Range: Newborn to 10+ years, depending on type. Rear-facing seats are for infants and young children. Weight and Height limits vary by manufacturer and model be sure to review the manufacturer car seat manual when installing the car seat.
• Convertible seats span birth through the forward-facing stage (up to ~30 kg / 65 lb in some models). Weight and Height limits vary by manufacturer and model be sure to review the manufacturer car seat manual when installing the car seat.
• Booster car seats serve children from 18 kg to approximately 36 kg. Weight and Height limits vary by manufacturer and model be sure to review the manufacturer car seat manual when installing the car seat.
• Convertible vs. Portable: Convertible car seats are valuable because they'll last your family the longest. They're rear-facing for infants, forward-facing for toddlers, and some even come with booster car seat for an older child. The conversion car seat is all in one versatile car seat.
• Portable infant car seats, on the other hand, are lighter, easier to lug around, and they clip neatly into stroller frames for a super smooth travel experience, but they have to be replaced once your little one grows out of them (which usually happens around 13.5 kg / 30 lbs). If you're looking for maximum flexibility, pairing an infant seat with a convertible is probably the best bet.
• Certification: You'll want to look for the National Safety Mark on any seat you buy in Canada. It's a big circle that's at least 50 mm across and should be stuck to the seat for good. The seat should also tell you when it was made, what weight range it's good for, and how to install it properly.
• Vehicle Compatibility: This seat should fit just about any car with LATCH/UAS anchors (which have been standard in Canadian vehicles since around 2002) and the standard seatbelt system. Just make sure your car's got enough room in the back for the seat to recline and get installed properly. Some smaller cars might limit the amount of space you've got.
• Warranty & Registration: Manufacturer warranties usually last between 6 and 10 years, so make sure to register your seat with the manufacturer and Transport Canada to get any recall notices that might come up. Don't ever use a seat after it's been in a moderate or serious crash, if you're missing any parts, or if the seat's history is a mystery.
• Safety Features: This seat's got all the usual suspects when it comes to safety, including a 5-point harness, side impact protection, energy-absorbing foam, a steel-reinforced frame, and in some of the top-of-the-line models, anti-rebound bars to help keep your little one snug and safe in the rear-facing position.
• Materials: Expect machine-washable covers, breathable mesh panels, and weather-proof fabrics, and in some cases, all sorts of stylish colours from brands like Maxi Cosi, Nuna, Clek, UPPAbaby, and Britax.
• Learn more about child car seat safety from Transport Canada now.

Who It's For

Ideal for:

• New parents getting ready for those first car rides with baby, from the hospital and every trip after
• Growing families who need a long-term solution that doesn't break the bank and eliminates the need to keep buying new seats all the time
• Multi-vehicle households who want to be able to easily transfer the seat between cars or have a spare installed in another vehicle
• Canadian parents who need to meet the provincial regulations and want a seat that'll keep their kid safe through rain and shine
• Safety-first shoppers who'll stop at nothing to keep their child safe and want a premium seat that's also got all the bells and whistles when it comes to crash protection and comfort

If you want a car seat that'll keep your little one safe and happy at every stage, this is absolutely the right choice.

Are Ready to Protect Your Child in the Car?

Your child's safety on the road isn't something to leave to chance. Every ride, every stage, every transition matters, and the right car seat is the most important piece of gear you'll ever buy.

Shop the full baby car seat collection online in Canada at Active Baby now. Find the right fit for your family. Every car seat meets Canadian regulations, carries the National Safety Mark, and is backed by brands parents trust.

Secure checkout. Fast shipping across Canada. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Contact us with your questions!