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 Compare all Infant Car Seats
Installing an Infant Car Seat 
LATCH Information
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and car seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 are equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks are required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Car seats have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing car seats also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle. Together they make up the LATCH system.
Installing a LATCH-equipped Car Seat
- ALWAYS read and follow the vehicle owner’s manual and child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions for correct installation and proper use.
- Fasten the child safety seat’s lower attachments to the vehicle’s lower anchors. Tighten and adjust according to the instructions and check for a secure fit.
- Attach the child safety seat’s top tether to the vehicle’s top anchor and pull to tighten. The child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways. NOTE: Tethers are not used on most rear-facing child safety seats
Lower Anchor Attachment
| Upper Tether Attachment
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LATCH Attachment
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LATCH FAQs
How do I know if my car seat has LATCH attachments?
LATCH attachments on car seats should be obvious on the product. These attachments may be flexible (a strap with a hook on the end) or rigid (an inflexible, firm bar with a connector on the end). The LATCH attachments will likely be (1) threaded through the path provided on the car seat that is to be used to secure the seat to the vehicle using the vehicle's belt system in non LATCH-equipped vehicles, or (2) attached to the lower portion of the car seat. Most forward-facing car seats will also have a top tether strap that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle. Check the vehicle owner's manual and car seat manufacturer's instructions.
Can LATCH be used both rear and forward facing?
Yes. Rear-facing infant-only car seats are required to have lower LATCH attachments. Forward-facing only and convertible car seats are required to have lower LATCH attachments and most will also have a top tether strap. If your car seat is a convertible seat, the LATCH system is designed to work in both rear- and forward-facing positions.
My car seat doesn't have LATCH, can I still use it?
Yes. Non-LATCH car seats meet the same safety standards and are safe if they (a) are installed according to the vehicle owner's manual and car seat manufacturer's instructions, (b) haven't been recalled, and (c) haven't been damaged or in a crash. Car seats that don't have LATCH should be installed using seat belts, even in LATCH-equipped vehicles.
My child uses a booster seat, does it use LATCH?
No, LATCH isn't needed on these seats. LATCH is used only for rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. Because booster seats do not attach to the vehicle seat using the seat belt, they don't have the compatibility problems that the LATCH system resolves. NHTSA recommends that after children outgrow their forward-facing car seat they be restrained in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4'9".
How do I know if my vehicle has LATCH anchors?
The lower LATCH anchors in a vehicle will typically be visible in the 'seat bight' (the intersection of the seat cushion and seat back) or identified with a mark on the vehicle seat back. Top tether anchors, depending on whether you have a sedan, SUV, or minivan, may be located on the rear filler panel, on the back of or slightly under the rear vehicle seat or on the roof of the vehicle. If you're unsure if your vehicle has LATCH, check your vehicle owner's manual.
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