Is a convertible car seat sufficient for a newborn? Carrier option is not important.?

Question

I've done tons of research, but I still want people's real experience. Though having a separate infant car seat seems more recommended, the Britax Roundabout gets such great reviews, and I plan on using a head/body support insert, such as the Snuzzler.

I wonder if separate infant car seats are recommended for the carrier convenience, but ince infants shouldn't be left in car seats to sleep, I won't ever take advantage of that feature. I'm ONLY concerned about safety/crash issues and nothing else. Thanks in advance for your input.

I've done tons of research, but I still want people's real experience. Though having a separate infant car seat seems more recommended, the Britax Roundabout gets such great reviews, and I plan on using a head/body support insert, such as the Snuzzler.

I wonder if separate infant car seats are recommended for the carrier convenience, but since new research shows that infants should not be left in car seats to sleep, I won't ever take advantage of that feature. If I ever need the carrier feature for emergency trips, I have an old Graco LiteRider for carrying, but I wouldn't use that while driving. And I would never, ever, ever clip my baby on shopping carts because I've seen terrible accidents due to bad design.

I'm ONLY concerned about safety/crash issues and nothing else. Thanks in advance for your input.

Answer 1

They're safe seats, provided your baby fits. And unfortunately many newborns do not fit in a convertible since the harness needs to be at or below the child's shoulders.

Britax does allow the harness to be above the shoulders by as much as an inch, provided you can get the harness tight.

Convertibles that are good for a newborn are the Sunshine Kids Radian, Cosco Scenera, and Safety 1st Uptown. They have low bottom slots.

If you want an infant seat that'll last a while you can go with the Graco Safeseat. It goes to 30 pounds and can often hold a child a full year, if not more if they have a shorter torso.

I would NOT use a body/head support insert. It invalidates any warranty or liability the carseat has. It is untested with the carseat, and something like a head support can cause suffocation. If your baby's head moves toward the back of the car in a collision, the head support may slide down the straps and behind the baby's head. A baby who is too little to pull their head up against that will suffocate to death with their chin on their chest. And a baby who CAN lift their head against that doesn't need it. If it doesn't come with your carseat, DON'T USE IT. You have no idea how it'll act in a collision. If you want head support for your baby, get an infant seat, like the Safeseat. It'll come with support that is safe and tested.

Answer 2

From a safety standpoint, consider that, when rear-facing, the shoulder harness is meant to be at or below the child's shoulders.

Very few carseats will allow this. The Britax Roundabout (an excellent seat, btw) has a pretty high lowest harness height - 10 inches. I know that my ds didn't have a 10 inch torso, even with his cloth diapers, until he was 6 months old.

The infant seats tend to hug their little body's a bit more snug, and the straps seem to fit a bit better in a carrier, even if you choose not to use it outside of the car (we always left ours in the car, and just wore the baby.)

However, if you really want a convertible seat, you might check for one with a lower harness height. For example, the Cosco Scenera has a 7.5 inch. The Sunshine Kids Radian also has a low harness height, but I can't find the exact measurement.

Above all, be sure to read the manual and have your seat checked by a certified child passenger safety technician!

Answer 3

The infant carriers ARE convenient. They also cradle the baby better, offering a better fit than most convertibles. You can safely use a convertible from the get go so long as the convertible has low harness slots. For rear facing the harness should come at or BELOW the shoulders. That's hard to do on a newborn in a convertible.
I know some don't use their carriers much, would rather just sling the baby. I sling mine but I still prefer my carrier. At least for the first few months, when they're still sleeping most of the time we're out. I don't want to wake a sleeping baby to fool with getting him/her into and out of a sling. The carrier is just easier there.
None of my kids could ever fit into a convertible safely as a fresh newborn. I've had kids from 8.4# down to 7# and not a one of them would have fit a convertible well. For that reason alone, I push for the carrier.
As far as safety...carrier or convertible...both safe...as long as they fit the child well and are used correctly.

Answer 4

I have a friend that has a 3 month old little boy. She started out using the Graco Snug Ride Infant carseat/carrier. She did some research and switched when her baby was about 1 month old to the Britax Convertible Seat. She said that it was rather expensive but the reviews were excelllent. She loves the seat. I am considering buying it for my niece/nephew that is due in September.

Answer 5

A separate carrier car seat, in my opinion, is the way to go. I did not put my children in it to sleep, but it's almost impossible for an infant not to fall asleep when riding in the car, and sometimes you just don't want to risk waking them up!

Another pro for the carrier is that it is comfortable for the baby. They like the closeness and it is a much better seat than a bouncer when they are very little. It it also a very good place for a sleepy baby when you are not at home, it will give you a bit more freedom to visit with friends, you can attach most directly to a shopping cart so you don't have to use the ones that have clearly been used by many others.

I hope this helps in your decision. Have a great day!

Answer 6

I used a convertible car seat for my 3 and found it so much better than a capsual. Yeah you need to pick them up out of it when you get home or wherever you are going but i feel they are much safer than capsuals and the such, they have so much more padding and support the babies body properly. I used a safe and sound conv. car seat and found it the best thing ever, was never worried about my babies safety and the belts that they have on them now are even better and are guaranteed to ensure the baby is kept in place in if such an accident was to occur.

Answer 7

thank you for being concerned about the carseat it is one of the most important decitions you will make.. i have a convertible carseat and an infant carrier the carrier came with a base that i loved.. the seat did not move. pluse the fit better in the middle since thats wear babies are suposed to be..infant seats also have sun shades with keep the sun out there eyes. the carrier cover was easier to wash than the convertible one..his convirtible sat more upright witch cuzed his little head to lean forward i would say an infant seat..but if the convertible suites your car and you then get it. just remimber that to pick one that goes with your life style...safty first..good luck

Answer 8

I didn't do the carrier, just the Roundabout, and I can tell you the carrier IS more convenient and I tell all my girlfriends to do the carrier first. Every time my son would fall asleep in the car I had to pick him up and put him in the stroller-always woke him up and he made me pay! Also, the carrier is good for when you go to the grocery store or Target or something...you just set it on top of the cart, where as I didn't have anywhere to put my son except a sling/Bjorn and he hated it.

I didn't do the carrier, not for safety reasons, but I thought that my son would be too heavy to cart around in that carrier. But I'm telling you, it would have been better for the first couple of months to have that carrier just for the driving/sleep factor in itself. I'm totally doing one next time! I hope this helps! Good luck in making a decision.

Answer 9

If it's for a newborn baby I would recommend getting the carrier till about 22 lbs. If installed properly it is a safe car seat. For proper installation I would recommend having a police officer install it and show you the proper way. It is easier and helpful having the carrier when the baby is so small. You don't have to wake the baby when transporting from the car to home or putting it on a stroller for a walk.

Answer 10

i personally don;t think a convertible is a safe way for a baby to travel carseat or not, Especially being an infant the best place for a baby is in the backseat in the middle and in a rear facing car seat.