in order to switch him from his "carrier" to a rear-facing carseat(without a base, or one that stays in the car, continuously) Just wondering. I've been told different answers. I know I will ask my doctor before I decided anything but, I just wanted to know some opinions of other mom's/people out there. :)
2007-08-24 09:01:07 · 14 answers · asked by tristan's mommie 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The carseat would be in the back of the car, and so far.. the answers are helpful. thank you. :)
2007-08-24 09:14:37 · update #1
They make convertible car seats that are rear facing, then forward facing, and they fit babies from 5 lbs to 60 lbs. So technically, based on weight, he can already be in a rear facing car seat and not the "carrier." Most carriers have a height limit of 26", so if he's longer than that you should switch him.
Once they're at least 20 lbs AND one year old they can switch to a forward facing, 5 point harness car seat, and once they're 40 lbs OR 4 years old they can be in a belt-positioning booster. They don't need anything once they're 4'9".
2007-08-24 09:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by fuffernut 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use a convertible carseat in the rearfacing position from birth. The advantage of an infant carrier is that you can put the baby in the seat more easily as it isn't in a confined space. Also ideally babies should be wearing a minimal amount of clothing (ie no snowsuit) while in a carseat and if you are using a removable carseat you can put them in the seat, tighten the straps, and then put blankets over top.
Technically speaking I think the convertible seats are safer in crash tests, the infant seats are technically safer when installed without the base but probably not as safe as convertible seats. However that is based on the seats being installed properly and used properly. An infant seat with base is more likely to be used properly regularly than an infant seat installed without the base (so you have to play with the seatbelt each time, also it may be almost physically impossible to get the strap tight enough with a real baby in the seat). Infant seats also allow you to put less clothes on the baby, then blankets over top which as I said is safer (though not always a reasonable option, particularly if you are going to an outdoor event)
You should always keep a baby/toddler rear-facing as long as possible. 1 year and 20lbs is just the bare minimum. Most convertible seats are rated for up to 35lbs rear-facing in the US (30lbs rear-facing in Canada -don't ask it's really dumb). There are a few infant seats rated for 30lbs, most are rated for 20-22lbs.
If you check out the britax site they list all their convertible seats as starting at 5lbs. Premature infants are a whole other story and you should follow the doctors advice, many require carbeds which are special seats that allow the baby to lay flat.
http://www.britaxusa.net/products/browse.aspx
If you flip through the other brands of seats here I am pretty sure they all start at 5lbs;
http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2256196&cp=2255983.2256187
2007-08-24 16:15:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the Eddie Bauer Comfort 3 in 1 carseat, and it holds children from 3 lbs+. Rear facing though it is kinda bulky and you can't see the child. You can always buy one of those mirrors though. I switched my son to this when he was about 8 months old, about 17-18 lbs. Rear facing of course.
2007-08-24 16:14:22 · answer #3 · answered by Sweet Pandemonium 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used rear-facing carseats for my twins from birth.
At first we had to block them in with baby blankets, but they grew into the seats nicely by the time they were 15 lbs each (6 months.)
2007-08-24 16:07:25 · answer #4 · answered by M L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your particular carrier. Each carrier has a weight & height limit. It usually ranges from 20-30 pounds as the weight limit. You will need to check your particular brand. You can probably just go to their website and look it up.
If you don't want to wait for the weight limit, once baby can hold his head up properly by himself, you can easily put him in a rear facing convertible. HTH!
ETA: Most states require baby to be 12 months before forward facing.
2007-08-24 16:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by USMC_Wifey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I used a carrier car seat for a while. My son is now 7 months old and I just switched him over. He weighs 20lbs and that thing is getting heavy to carry around. Also he can sit in the shopping cart just fine by himself, that was one of the main things for me when I switched him over.
2007-08-24 20:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by crazymofo6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive used mine from birth.....its labeled 5-35 lbs rear facing..20-60 lbs front facing. my son is 6.5 months and weighs 23 lbs and is 32 inches long, so hes been too big since about 5 months for a carrier (we had both when he was first born) just make sure you get one that is meant to be used rear facing. and wait till they are 1 yr AND 20 lbs to turn it.
2007-08-24 17:04:57 · answer #7 · answered by CRmac 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The baby has to be 1 year and also weigh over 20 lbs
2007-08-24 16:21:16 · answer #8 · answered by *~KingA~* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say about 8 pounds or more to be in a regular car eat and they have to be over 20 pounds to be in a regular car seat front faced
2007-08-24 16:11:23 · answer #9 · answered by Latisa H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a graco snug ride carseat, and that will be okay for my daughter until she is 20 lbs.
2007-08-24 16:10:44 · answer #10 · answered by KT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋