my daughter is almost 6 months and her little feet almost hang over her infant carseat...!?

Question

and i was wondering what were some good convertible car seats... and also when can we put the car seat front facing?

Answer 1

Recommendations are to not have a baby in a forward facing seat until the child is BOTH 1 year old and 20lbs. It seems like a long time, but it's what is safest.

IMO, a car seat is a car seat. They all follow the same safety regulations. So whatever you buy, it's all about personal preference. Shop around.

Answer 2

The britax carseats have the highest weight limit for rear AND forward facing. Everyone above has told you 12 months and 20 pounds, but honestly, the longer you leave them rear facing, the better! My dearest friend is a car seat technician for the state and she says that it would be highly unlikely that a babies legs would be broken while rear facing. I believe, in Switzerland, children remain rearfacing well over a year.

Another good idea is to make sure your child can walk before turning them around. Its an indication - though not proof - that the muscles are strong enough.

Overall though, the very best carseat is the one that fits your car and your child. My 2000 echo couldn't accomodate a huge carseat, and my son was terribly uncomfortable in some seats. It took some getting used to, but we finally found a seat that he could tolerate AND that fit.

Before you buy, sit your child in the seat at the store and make sure you check the return policy if the seat does not fit your car. A certified car seat tech, most available through hospitals & fire departments, can help you ensure that your carseat is installed correctly & safely, and fits your baby & car.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It's the baby's ears that are the important part of determining if baby is too tall for a seat.

Also, please note that you baby does not HAVE to be turned around at 1 y/o. The MINIMUM age is 12 months and the minimum weight is 20 or 22 pounds. The AAP has made guidelines that all babies should remain rear facing as long as possible. My DD will be rear facing until she reaches the weight limit of her seat which is close to 30 pounds. My boys were rear facing following those same guidelines.

Britax and Recaro are the most tested seats, above and beyond what the government requires. An old motorcycle adage states that "if ya got a $30 head, buy a $30 helmet. " I believe the same for car seats. Dont skimp.

Answer 4

20 pounds and 1 year. Its not just weight and size, its development. The neck muscles and joints can only develop so fast, and it takes that first 12 months for them to be ready for front facing.

Any convertible car seat is okay, i like the ones that go from 5-40 pounds and from rear facing to full seat belt use as a booster seat. And ones that have the seat pad for little guys that can come out as a baby grows.

If you go quick, this time of year, and ask about the floor models you can get a really nice car seat for almost nothing at places like target and walmart. They get the new years models in and will sell the models to you for less. Thats how I got mine.

Answer 5

if your daughter meets the height or weight requirements of the specific convertible car seat, then it would be safe to put her in that at this age. However, do not put the car seat front facing until she is one year of age.

We've always used Graco carseats. They're a little more expensive, but a trusted brand.

Answer 6

I just did some reading on this as my husband asked when we can turn the car seat front facing. You can turn them at 1 yr. or 20 lbs. or if their head is above the back of the carseat. I know it looks uncomfortable when their legs are bent up and against the seat when rear facing but babys actually like that. What is uncomfortable to us is not always uncomfortable to a baby. They like their legs bent. I also read that it is best to keep them backwards facing as long as possible!

Answer 7

Your daughter has to be 20 pounds and 12 months old before turning her around. You wouldn't want to hurt her neck by turning her around too soon, if some jerk cuts you off and you slam on the brakes. My daughter would cross her legs or put her feet up on the seat when she was faced backwards. Wal-Mart and Target have the best prices for new car seats.

Answer 8

We have 2 Britax Marathons and we couldn't be happier. There are initially more expensive, but because they harness to 65lbs FF (forward facing) our daughter will fit in them until she is truly ready for a booster with seatbelt. Most seats only harness to 40lbs and are outgrown long before a child is truly ready for a booster.

The recommendation from safety experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics is to rearface (RF) to the limits of the seat which is 30-35lbs on all seats sold in the US. My own daughter is rode RF until she was almost three and she reached 33 lbs which is the weight limit on her Britax Marathons. I wish she could still be RF, she was so much safer.

I have included several links with great pictures and videos of what happens to childrens necks when they are FF in a crash.

Most people are concerned about their child's legs being scrunched or broken in a crash. There is absolutely no evidence that shows a child's legs are in danger and I would much rather deal with a broken leg, than a broken neck.

Answer 9

Graco has a convertible car seat that is rear facing then goes forward facing after a year and at least 20lbs. I love both of the Graco convertible car seats that I have. I only buy Graco b/c that is my preference but they also have the highest safety ratings.

Answer 10

you can only put the car seat in the direction it was made for but it sounds like your daughter is ready for the next step which is a front facing car seat, try targot read the weight and height guidelines