Car seat help please

[MumOfAToddler26]

Can anyone explain the different stages of car seats relevant to age or weight please?
Obviously we had the baby car seat when DS now 3 was a baby, then we bought the Joie every stage car seat that he has been in with the harness strap clipping him in. Now he's too heavy in weight for this (upto 18kg) so it adapts to the next stage where the harness hides away in the back of the seat and now he just uses the seat belt over but it flips through the bit on the car seat.
Will he be in this until when?! Is that the last stage of car seats now? When do they not need them?
Thanks 😊

Yes, legally speaking he needs to be in the car seat until he is either 135cm tall or 12 years old. Most countries say until 150 cm as it’s rare that an adult seat belt will fit properly at 135 cm.

I found the car seat Facebook group really helpful. I have an extended rear facing car seat (up to 25kg) the britax may way and britax two way elite. The advice I've received is, its safest to have them harnest and rear facing for as long as possible, at least until 4 yrs old.

Ooh, I was about to say surely he’s not at the weight limit for the 5 point harness at age 3..... then I checked and to my amazement my DD (nearly 4) is now over it too! (I had forgotten it was 18 kg, we also have the joie stages one). Damn.

Yes, they can stay in that one for the next 9 years if you want! When they are over 135cm, they can change to a backless booster if you choose (let’s say they’re too broad to fit into their car seat).