Most new families go for an infant car seat for the newborn. This is mainly due to the compact size and convenience that infant seats provide. There’s no problem about doing that, yet you must know when to switch from infant car seat to convertible car seat.
Sitting in an unsuitable seat can expose your child to a higher risk of head injury. If your baby outgrows his infant seat, it’s time to transition to a rear-facing convertible seat.
Infant Vs Convertible Car Seat: What’s The Difference?
An infant car seat, sometimes called a bucket seat, is for little babies. You can use it from when your baby is born until he’s about one year old. These seats always face the back of the car and easily click in and out of a base that stays in the car.
On the other hand, convertible car seats work for kids of different ages and sizes. They start facing the back of the car and can turn to face the front when your child grows bigger.
They don’t have bases like infant seats do. Instead, they use your car’s seat belt or special hooks to stay in place. These seats are heavy and big, and you don’t usually move them between cars a lot.
Convertible seats are safer and easier to install because of the LATCH system, which is like special straps and hooks that make the seat stay put better.
However, both options are safe for babies. It’s fine if you choose to start with a bucket seat and then change to a convertible one later. Simply pick the best infant car seat combos that meet solid safety standards with advanced safety features!
How Long Are Infant Seats Good For?
Infant car seats are generally considered to be effective and safe for use for about 6 to 10 years from their date of manufacture, although this can vary based on the specific car seat model and manufacturer.
The exact expiration date can typically be found on a label on the car seat itself.
It’s important to adhere to this expiration date because over time, the materials and components of the car seat can degrade, potentially impacting the seat’s ability to provide proper protection in the event of a crash.
Factors that contribute to the expiration of infant car seats include exposure to fluctuating temperatures, UV rays from the sun, and wear and tear from regular use.
Additionally, advancements in safety technology and regulations may render older car seats less effective in providing optimal protection for infants.
Ultimately, prioritizing your child’s safety is of utmost importance, and following the manufacturer’s guidelines for the use and expiration of infant car seats is essential.
When To Switch From Infant Car Seat To Convertible Car Seat?
Well, there are some clear signs to look out for to decide when to switch from infant car seat. One of the big ones is when your baby gets too big or too tall for his infant seat.
The Baby Has Exceeded The Weight Or Height Limits
When is my baby too big for infant car seat? Most infant car seats have a top weight limit of around 30 to 35 pounds, although some might only go up to 22 pounds. You should peek into your car seat manual to get the exact numbers for your seat.
If your little one is heavier than that limit, it’s a signal that it’s time to consider moving on.
But here’s the thing: it’s actually not that common for a baby to get too big just by hitting the weight limit. They usually hit other markers first.
If your child reaches the highest height allowed for the bucket seat, that’s another reason to think about switching.
Typically, these seats are designed for babies up to 30 to 32 inches tall, but some might be made for as short as 29 inches or as tall as 35 inches. Always refer to the manual for your car seat to be sure.
The Distance Between Your Baby’s Head And The Top Of The Seat Is Less Than 1 Inch
Interestingly, there’s a case where your baby might not have reached the height or weight limits of the bucket seat, but they could still be too big for it.
It’s a bit like a puzzle: the overall height and the part of their body called the torso height are separate things.
To make sure their little heads are super safe, they need to fit perfectly inside the protective shell of the car seat.
And since the manufacturer has to consider what happens during a crash, most car seats that face the back require about an inch of space between the top of your baby’s head and the upper edge of the car seat shell.
So, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how much room your baby’s head has!
Here’s a trick: if you see that your baby’s head is getting close to the top edge of their infant car seat, you can try using a book that’s about an inch thick.
Just place it on top of their head to see if there’s enough space. If it’s an inch or less, it’s time to think about switching to the next car seat – even if your child hasn’t hit the highest height and weight limits of their current seat yet!
You Feel That The Child Is Too Heavy To Carry With The Infant Seat.
There comes a moment when that little infant car seat starts feeling like a big load. Sometimes, it becomes a bit of a hassle to carry it around. Or maybe your baby looks like they’re not enjoying it as much, even if they’re still well within all the rules.
Don’t worry – it’s totally OK to switch to a rear-facing convertible seat before your baby outgrows the infant seat completely!
So, if the car seat is starting to feel like a real workout, it’s a clue that it might be time to switch to a convertible car seat. Your child can still ride safely facing the back, but you won’t have to carry around a heavy car seat along with a growing baby.
If you’re still reluctant to change to a larger seat because of your vehicle’s small size, we’ve got your back with the list of the best convertible car seat for small cars.
Bottom Line
Car seats play an important role in your baby’s safety. Both types of car seats are safe for children as long as you stick to the manufacturer’s cautions and get updated on safety car seat guidelines.
All the suggestions about when to switch from infant car seat to convertible car seat can be confusing, but it’s not that complicated. Just check your child’s size and body weight frequently and ensure he doesn’t sit in a cramped space.
After all, it’s not changing the number of seats. It’s simply transitioning to a different one, which is sooner or later!
