Convertible Car Seats

[Sally Nevermind]

Thank you! I will check those out :)
BTW, I absolutely love your quote, so true in every way :)

[Mama Bird]

Originally Posted by Sally Nevermind My son is 2 and he weighs 35 lbs and is quite tall too. I need to get him a new car seat but now I'm noticing the 5 point harness is only for up to 40 lbs? I expect he will hit that in a few months...but is it safe for him to go into a booster so soon? TIA!

Our Britax Marathons 5 point harness up to 65 pounds in the forward facing position.

[qtlittle1]

I'm totally lost on the different types of car seats.

Do I really need to get an infant one and a convertible one? Or can I just get a convertible one. I also need one that goes into a stroller...Can a convertible car seat be picked up and put into a stroller?

Any help would be great.

[jenntip]

At first I had a infant car seat that would lift off a base that would stay in the seat. It had a a stroller that would allow you to place the seat on top and click into place.

I later found out that most of those kind of strollers / car seats had problems and defects. So I got a car seat that would grow with him and just bought a regular stroller.

My brother is an FHP Sargent and he stated that the infant seat that comes off the base is really not the safer seat. If you were to get in a collision the risk is higher for the seat to come off. (just a heads up)

Good luck!

[MrsPinecone]

Infant car seats lift off the base and can be clicked onto a travel system stroller or a snap and go.

A convertible seat is basically permanently installed and cannot be used any other way. It's called convertible because it can be used both rear facing and forward facing.

And a reminder: the AAP recently changed the recommendations regarding seats. A child should remain rear facing until the height/weight limits of the seat. Turning at one year and 20 lbs is not acceptable.

[aimeemarie]

Regarding skipping infant seat and using convertible seats. Even if you have a big baby, it is unlikely that a newborn is going to fit well enough to be safe in a convertible seat. We have a convertible (Britax Boulevard) and I can't imagine putting either of my babies in it. Plus when you have a sleeping newborn in a carseat, do you want to have to take the baby out of the carseat to transport? I definitely wouldn't. And, no you can't take a convertible carseat out of the car. If you want an infant carseat with a longlife, get one that goes up to 32 lbs.

jenntip: What kind of problems/defects have you found? I've never had anything like that. 2 babies, 2 different carseats and stroller systems and no problems!

[anothershopper2]

I have a question - at my Target - there are no Britax's on sale. Now, DD is still only 9 months old and in her infant carseat and she's small in size so it's going to be awhile before she grows out of it - she's only 16 lbs.

The 2 choices are Evenflo Triumph Advance at $83 and the Graco Nautilus (which I know isn't a convertible) at $98. I bought the Graco already but now I'm having 2nd thoughts. I want her to be rear facing for awhile... until 2 yrs hopefully. Should I go with the Evenflo? I'm hoping that it will go to 75% off LOL. I suspect it will be awhile before DD even makes it to 20 lbs.

[mandybeyl]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone And a reminder: the AAP recently changed the recommendations regarding seats. A child should remain rear facing until the height/weight limits of the seat. Turning at one year and 20 lbs is not acceptable.

What is the height limit for rear-facing? For example, I have the Triumph seat that goes up to 35 lbs rear facing but my four year old only weighs 37 lbs however he is taller than most five year olds. Clearly he shouldn't be rear-facing but how do you know when to turn them around?

[TheWoman]

Originally Posted by qtlittle1 I'm totally lost on the different types of car seats. Do I really need to get an infant one and a convertible one? Or can I just get a convertible one. I also need one that goes into a stroller...Can a convertible car seat be picked up and put into a stroller? Any help would be great.

I highly recommend getting an infant seat at first. While the convertable seats claim they are okay for infants I just can't imagine how a tiny baby could be secure in one. Also it is so incredibly convienent to be able to take the baby out of the seat without waking her. Aditionally, if you live in an area that gets really cold it is helpful to take the car seat inside. Then you can strap the baby in, wrap blankets all around, and then carry the whole thing to the car. Since you can't properly strap a baby in a seat when she is wearing a heavy coat the removable seats are a much better option. Finally, if you live where it gets hot you don't have to worry about the baby getting burned on the seat because the seat isn't sitting in the hot sun. It is definately worth the money if you can possibly afford it. Remember, you will be using it nearly every day for a year or so.

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by mandybeyl What is the height limit for rear-facing? For example, I have the Triumph seat that goes up to 35 lbs rear facing but my four year old only weighs 37 lbs however he is taller than most five year olds. Clearly he shouldn't be rear-facing but how do you know when to turn them around?

Their head needs to be at least one inch below the top of the hard plastic shell of the seat. Some kids are really tall, but their height is all in their legs, and can stay rear facing longer than a kid whose height is all in their torso.