What Comes After Infant Car Seat

What Were Looking For

Max weight and height: From a safety perspective, we recommend that kids stay in the safest car seat until they outgrow it, says Jennifer Saxton, the founder of Tot Squad and a child-passenger safety technician. Dont try to move your kid too quickly to the next car seat because youre actually decreasing in safety each step you go through that four-car-seat process. In other words, children should max out the weight or height limit of their current car seat before moving up to the next stage. We listed the maximum weight and height limit of each seat to help you determine which is right for your kid. For car seats that can be used in multiple positions , we listed the weight limits for each.

Price: There are four price points we decided on, denoted as $, $$, $$$, and $$$$, respectively: under $200, under $350, under $500, and over $500.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Using A Convertible Car Seat For Long Car Rides

There are many benefits to using a convertible car seat for long car rides. The most important benefit is that a convertible car seat can be used in a variety of positions, which makes it more comfortable for the child. A convertible car seat also can be used in the rear-facing position for infants up to 12 months old and in the forward-facing position for children from 12 to 18 months old.

Child Safety Seat Registration Card

Don’t forget to mail back the registration card. If you don’t, you will not be notified if the child safety seat is recalled or has other safety problems.

If you moved since you mailed the card, make sure you call your child safety seat manufacturer to update your address.

If you misplaced the registration card that came with your car seat, please and mail or fax it as instructed.

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Do I Need An Infant Car Seat

While it seems that purchasing a convertible car seat would be the most efficient, there are a few distinct advantages to using an infant car seat instead.

Babies can stay asleep during the transfer from car to stroller if you purchased a travel system. Its also much easier to click your infant seat in and out of your car since it attaches to a base thats permanently installed.

If your baby will be riding in multiple vehicles, transferring an infant car seat is also much easier than uninstalling and reinstalling a convertible seat. Just be sure to purchase an additional car seat base so you can quickly click the infant car seat into the backseat base and go.

When To Make The Switch

Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit rear facing

There are many reasons to switch a child to a rear facing convertible or multimode car seat earlier than later. For some convertible car seats, once a child is sitting unassisted and/or weighs 22 pounds, the seat can be installed much more upright which means the car seat takes up less room front to back than even a compact rear facing only seat.

Some infants seem to be more comfortable in a rear facing convertible or multimode car seat that sits them up higher on the vehicle seat than their rear facing only car seats did. Many children find that increased visibilty out the window more comfortable. Sometimes, the change to a convertible or multimode car seat may equal less crying and a more peaceful ride for everyone in the vehicle.

Other situations:

• Children may have a medical reason including reflux, where laying in a more reclined position in a rear facing only car seat may be quite uncomfortable.
• The shape of their seat may make them uncomfortable.
• Some children find excessive stitching or quilted padding on seat covers uncomfortable.

Moving to a more upright and potentially more flat backed convertible or multimode car seat instead of a more curved rear facing only car seat will ease the pressure on their stomach, giving them a little bit of relief.

Many parents grow tired of carrying the infant carrier plus a heavier infant tiring. This scenario is an equally valid reason to move to a rear facing convertible or multimode car seat.

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What Is The Safest Car Seat For A Newborn

The safest car seat for a newborn is one that meets strict federal safety guidelines and is designed for the baby’s current size, height, and weight. Because an infant car seat is one of the most important investments parents will make, it makes sense to research various models, check out recent car seat reviews, and ask a pediatrician for guidance.

Choosing A Child Car Seat Or Booster Seat

A childs developmental stage, weight and height can help determine what type of child car seat is best suited for them:

Your child can use a seatbelt alone when they reach any of the following milestones:

• turns 8 years old
• reaches a height of 145 cm or more

Follow recommendations from the manufacturer

Its safest to keep your child in a child car seat or booster seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of the child car seat.

Most child car seats do not allow the use of aftermarket products and advise to not dress the child in bulky clothing or sports gear as it can compromise the fit of the harness.

Always follow the recommended use set out by the manufacturer.

Watch a video

Watch this video for tips on choosing, installing and checking that a child car seat meets safety standards:

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How To Choose Car Seat After Infant: The Buying Guide

How do you choose the car seat after infant? You must consider many things, such as the brand name, price, and product quality. In addition, you should also consider whether it is suitable for your needs or not.

So how do you choose the right car seat after infant? Here are some tips that you can use to help you find a good product:

What you Should Keep in Mind When Buying car seat after infant

When shopping for a car seat after infant, there are several things to consider. You need to think about the quality of the product, the price, and even how much it will benefit your life. However, you also need to keep these factors in mind:

When To Switch From Infant Car Seat To A Convertible One

Alisa Baer, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady. In her 21 years in the field, Dr. Baer has consulted with many of the leading car seat manufacturers in the design and development of their car seats.

Youngoldman / Getty Images

Car seats are essential for your child’s safety, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the most recent information about recommended usage guidelines.

While you may elect to use a convertible car seat from when your baby is born, most new parents choose an infant seat for their newborns. This is primarily because of the convenience infant car seats provide. However, it’s worth noting both are safe options so long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for that particular car seat.

Let’s explore the different types of car seats, how to use each option safely, and when it’s time to transition to a convertible seat.

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Lower Anchor Weight Limits

Lower anchors have weight limits set by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers. You can determine the lower anchor weight limit by checking the warning label or installation diagrams located on the side of the car seat. If your car seat does not have a label, you can determine the maximum allowable child weight for lower anchor use by subtracting the weight of the car seat from 65 pounds.

Lower anchor weight limit = 65 lbs weight of car seat

Know the Facts

Once your child outgrows the vehicle or car seat manufacturers established limits for the lower anchors, stop using the lower anchor attachments and reinstall the car seat using the vehicles seat belt.

When To Stop Using Your Toddler Seat The Latest

Step 1: Check the weight/height limitation of your seat

If your toddler seat is approved to UN R129, you have to stop using your seat once the maximum height of your seat according to its approval is reached. In addition, ISOfix-installed UN R129 seats also have a weight limitation which you can find on your seats approval sticker and/or user manual. It is time to change to another seat once your child has reached one of the two limitations, whichever comes first.

If your toddler seat is approved to ECE R44-04, the seat has a maximum weight which you can find on your seats approval sticker and user manual. Once your child has reached this maximum, you have to change. However, practically you might not always be able to use the seat until the maximum weight as your child can outgrow the seat in height before. Check step 2 for this!

Step 2: Check the shoulder belts and ear-to-headrest level

When the top of childs ears reaches the highest point of the headrest, it is high time to change.

Additionally, check how the shoulder belts are sitting on your childs shoulders and what your seats user manual advises about this. Many manufacturers say that the shoulder belts should not come from below your childs shoulders. So if the shoulder belts are not coming straight onto the shoulders anymore when having the headrest/belts in the highest setting, then its time to change as well.

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To Secure Your Child In A 5

• For your rear-facing child, make sure the harness straps are in the slot level with or just below your childs shoulders.
• For your forward-facing child, make sure the harness straps are in the slot level with or just above your childs shoulders.
• Tighten the harness straps. You should not be able to pinch the harness at the shoulder. The harness should be flat with no twists.
• Place the chest clip at armpit level.
• Bulky clothing or snowsuits should not be worn in the car seat. They can interfere with proper harness tightening and placement.

The Best Car Seats For Small Infants

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the size and weight of the infant, as well as the childs age and physical abilities. Some factors to consider include the childs height, weight, and age the car seats weight and height the cars size and the childs age and ability to sit up straight in the car seat.

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What Comes After Infant Car Seat

Hello parenting friends. This year has been interesting? Let me get to the point:

My sweet girl is now 13 months. She’s at the height limit for her infant car seat. We currently have the Graco Modes Essentials Travel System with Snugride 30. Its a great seat I highly recommend.

The problem lies my bubs is too tall. Currently 20 pounds. The weight limit on the car seat is 30 pounds.

I’ve started researching but I’m not entirely sure what to look for. A rear facing bigger car seat? A booster seat that’s still rear facing? A convertible front facing booster seat?

So many options. I don’t know where to begin.

Ontop of this delimma, my sweet girl hates being rear facing. She keeps climbing out of her car seat whenever we put her in. She screams, hits, kicks, pushes her body upward to get away. She climbs out if your not actively locking her into it.

Lo and behold if we’re just sitting in the car and she’s not in her car seat everything is fine.

She loves looking out the window so maybe it’s time to turn front facing. But is it safe to turn her front facing? Alot of articles say wait till after 2.

I don’t know what to do. Any and all help is appreciated

Edit: Any recommendations on cars eats) boosters seats would be appreciated as well

Edit 2: We got the Graco Triogrow LX 3 in 1 It’s great. Has room to grow with baby and she loves it. No more bucket chair for her

Maintenance: Is It Easy To Wash And Maintain

One thing is certain, your car seat will get dirty quickly and often. So you want a seat thats easy to wash and maintain. The seat cover, in particular, should be easily removable and machine washable.

We include the easiness to wash and maintain a seat in our rating of the best infant car seats and dedicate a section to it in our reviews because its too often overlooked by parents when choosing a seat but quickly becomes a pain when the first stain appears.

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When To Change The Earliest From An Infant Carrier To A Toddler Seat

We at BeSafe recommend you to use an infant carrier for as long as possible, as it gives you as a parent flexibility and offers your baby great side protection. However, you might consider changing to a toddler car seat earlier. In these cases, we recommend you to only change to a toddler car seat when your baby can sit by themselves, as toddler car seats typically are more upright and give a bit less stability than infant carriers.

Depending on which toddler seat you are choosing, make sure that your child has reached the minimum requirement of that seat. Based on its regulation, this can either be a minimum weight or a minimum height.

Are There Any Other Safety Tips

• Many seat manufacturers have online video tutorials that can help.
• Some local community resources offer car seat clinics. There may be someone who has been trained to help with installation or check that you have installed the car seat correctly.
• If you use an infant carrier outside of a vehicle:
• Always keep your child buckled.
• Do not put the seat on a raised surface because it may fall.
• Always take your baby out of the car seat when you arrive. A car seat is not a safe place to sleep.

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Types Of Convertible Car Seats

Along with the basic style, which can be used either rear- or forward-facing from infancy through the toddler or preschool years, you might also see these types of seats listed:

• Three-in-one: These seats also include the option to transform into a belt-positioning booster seat when your child is ready.
• Four-in-one: This is essentially the same as the three-in-one, but you can also use it as a backless booster for an older child. Sometimes, these are called all-in-one car seats.

Stage : Booster Seats Until The Seat Belt Fits

Kids are usually considered ready for booster seats when they are at least four years old and weigh at least 40 pounds but check with the laws in your particular state. Belt-positioning boosters are designed to properly position the vehicle seat belts on a childs lap and shoulder. Vehicle seat belts are made for adult occupants, so children need the additional height provided by a booster seat to achieve correct belt placement.

Once your child reaches the weight or height limit of their forward-facing seat, they can move into a booster seat. Manitoba law requires children to remain in booster seats until theyre at least 4 9, 80 lb, or nine years old. Without a booster seat, a seatbelt rides too high on a childs stomach and neck and can cause serious injuries.

Boosters come in two varieties: high-back and no-back. A high-back booster is needed if your vehicle does not have a headrest for the seating position that your child will be using. They are also a good option when first transitioning a child to a booster from a forward-facing harnessed seat. No-back boosters work well for travel or for carpooling with booster-age children, as they are compact and easy to store.

When your child is at least age five and outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, use a booster seat in the back seat. Use a booster seat until the belt fits correctly. A booster seat is often needed until 4 ft 9 in tall. Your child maybe 12 years old before ready for an adult safety belt.

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