Am I using the right car seat?

Question

He is 10 months and weighs 20lbs. I am using one of those 5-point convertible car seats and have him facing forwards. I know now that I need to turn him so that he is facing towards the rear but now someone told me that I am using the wrong car seat and need to use the one that has the padded arm that come down from over his head, so which do I use?

Answer 1

The padded arm ones are less safe than a 5 point harness, in many places they are no longer allowed.

However it is ALWAYS safest to be rearfacing and in many places babies must be rearfacing by law until they are ONE YEAR AND 20 LBS. Not either, both.

PLEASE keep your son rearfacing until he reaches the maximum for your seat (usually 33-35lbs).

Answer 2

Actually a 5 point restraint is found to be safer than the "padded arm that comes down" restraint.

Your baby should face the rear until they are 1 year AND 20 lbs. After that, they can be front facing. All you need to make sure is the car seat you have is meant for the weight of your baby (that is how they are "sized" is by the weight they handle).

We used the 5 point restraint from the age of 7 months for our daughter. The weight for the car seat was right, and it goes up to 100 lbs, so we figured we can use it until she is old enough to ride without a seat/booster (it converts to a booster seat). You use what you feel safest with. Go to your local police department, and they will be more than happy to show you how it goes into your car, and make sure it is the proper seat for you.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

You don't need to have the kind that goes over the lap, the one you have is just fine, but yes you do need to have him facing the rear. He is far more likely to come of an accident OK if he is properly restrained in a convertible rear-facing car seat. If you need help installing or have any other question about it you can contact your local police or fire department and they can set you up with someone to look at it.

Answer 4

He needs to be in a convertible car seat.. but NOT one with the padded bar that goes across his lap!! I have heard that many times, that those are bad.. but yes he HAS to be turned rear facing till he is 1 years old!

Answer 5

It does not matter. the 5 point harness is comparable to the over-the-head bar carseat. I chose the 5 point harnass for my daughter, because it seemed much more comfortable and interfered less when she was playing with/holding toys in the car.
They say to keep them rear facing until they are 1 year old. I turned my daughter around when she was 10 months though. She was already pulling to stand by then, so I felt her muscle development was adaquate that she could face front. She is fine.

Answer 6

You dont have to use one with a padded arm. We have the Evenflo Triumph Deluxe and it sounds similar to what you have...5 pt harness, convertible, etc. You can face those to the rear.

You should have an instruction manual on how to properly install it...if it gives you instructions on how to position it rear-facing then you should be able to.

Answer 7

You are using the right one. Those padded arm ones that come down are so out of date, they aren't used as much anymore and aren't as safe as convertible ones. But yes you are right he needs to face backwards in his covertible until his 1st birthday.

Answer 8

at 10 months if ur using the same car seat u had when he was a newborn then its no good c/ now he can sit up and everything so i would suggest u get one that goes over his head.

Answer 9

The type of carseat you're using is fine. The only problem is him facing forward. He really needs to face the back.