When should I switch my baby from an infant car seat to those bigger ones?

Question

He is 6 months old and weighs 18lbs

Answer 1

You can switch when baby reaches either the weight limit for the infant seat (20, 22 or 30 lbs, depending on the seat); or if there is less than 1" of hard shell (not the fabric padding, but the actual shell of the seat) above the head.

Please keep in mind that a child HAS to be rear-facing until a minimum of 1 years *AND* 20 lbs, but that current recommendation is to have them remain rear-facing until the limit of a convertible seat (30, 33, or 35 lbs, depending on the seat).

Also - legs touching the back of the seat is NOT a safety hazard, nor is it uncomfortable for most children. Look at these kids : http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbumAll.aspx

Answer 2

As a fire/rescue professional, i can tell you that all car seats have weight and height restrictions. An infant carrier is from 5-20lbs. The step up from that is a 5 point harness car seat that can go from rear to front facing. This is rated from 20-40 lbs. And the boosters (which i would suggest using the ones with the removable backs) is from 40-80 lbs or 4'9".

We get this question at car seat workshops all the time. Children under 1 yr of age should be rear facing even in the 5 point harness chairs. Their bodies arent capable of handling a collision while facing front until after the 12 month mark. So seeming as your little fella is 18 lbs, buy the new car seat but dont put him in it until he is 20lbs and only in the rear facing position until he a year.
Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

As long as the bigger one is reverse sitting suitable, then you can move the baby whenever you feel comfortable while keeping the car seat in its reverse position. We switched our daughter out when she was 7 months old because of her length. We switched my son out at 5 months because we had decided to stop removing the car seat and use a sling instead and wanted to sell the stroller/ car seat set! Some parents never even use the "infant car seat" because they don't want to spend the money to buy two different car seats. So when searching for a bigger car seat, make absolutely sure it can be reversed as your little one shouldn't be facing forward until he meets the standards of being at least 1 year old AND at least 21 pounds. But, this doesn't mean you have to change their car seat to face forward until you feel your child is ready, whether at 1 year, 15 months or 18 months.I Typically I chose to wait until their legs were too long to be comfortable which for us was over a year old.

Answer 4

My son was about 6 months old when I switched him to a bigger one. He was a big boy and just got to hard to carry him in the infant car seat all the time. He did just fine in it. And my back no longer hurt!(HA HA)

Answer 5

not until he is BOTH 20 pounds and 12 months old! I already asked the dr. this because my daughter was big when she was 8 months and WELL over 20 puonds...and now my son is 4 months old and weighs 19.8 pounds...it stinks but you have to wait (by law). But also, just so you know (I have a few cop friends) a cop can't pull you over for the sole reason of a baby car seat. They can only cite you if you were pulled over for another reason and then notice a car seat violation. But I do know that they reason the law is 20 pounds AND 12 months is because of their neck and muscle control, etc.

Answer 6

Try out the carseats in the stores first, they also have the weight limit guidelines on each one. And your infant can stay in the infant carrier for up to I believe 1 year, however thats hard to judge as all children grow at different speeds, and are different weights/heights to begin with. So use your personal judgement, try them out, and see which type you prefer. They make so many different styles, so all us mommies and daddies can choose which one best suits our needs. Take in how they fit in your vehicle as well as how well your child fits in the seat. Best wishes.

Answer 7

you could pass him to a rear dealing with convertible seat at any time. some could be utilized from start even, so at 7 months theres no reason in any respect why he couldnt experience in a convertible seat. maximum convertible seats for you to purchase now rear face to 35+ lbs, which will easily take your son to the two 3 hundred and sixty 5 days 30lbs suggestion. :)

Answer 8

My daughter was about 9 months I think... but she was hanging so far off the end of her infant seat that I had to cross her ankles to fit the car seat in the car!!!

Just make sure you keep it reverse facing until hes a year.

Answer 9

It should say on the side of the infant seat.
It will give you both weight and length restrictions. Common restrcitions are 22 pounds or 27 inches, so you will need to measure how long he is.
6 months is the usual age to switch to the larger car seat.
He will still be rear facing until one year of age.

Answer 10

it depends on the car seat, if you look on the side of the seat it will have a weight limit and height limit on it. You can't turn him around till he is 20 pounds AND 1 a lot of people think it is one or the other but it is after they turn 1