Your Toughest Baby Product Questions—Answered!

If your kids are close in age, it's fine to reuse your car seat, provided that it hasn't been recalled and there aren't any cracks in the frame. (To check for recalls, see www.recalls.gov.) But if there's a significant age gap between your kids, you're better off buying a new seat.

The AAP advises consumers to avoid using seats more than 10 years old. Some manufacturers recommend that their models only be used for five to six years from the date of purchase. To make sure your seat hasn't expired, look on the seat's label for the date of manufacture and check your owner's manual for usage recommendations.