Having a baby can be overwhelming. Trying to navigate through the new world of baby gear, including car seats, that accompanies having a baby can be overwhelming as well. Once you begin to research which car seat to purchase you’ll discover a multitude of seats exist, but all of the seats on the market will usually fit into a hand full of general categories.
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Infant Carriers
Infant carriers are seats that can only be used in the rear-facing position, have a carry handle and come with a base that stays in your vehicle. Infant carriers can accommodate babies up to 32 pounds depending on the manufacturer.
Should I get an infant carrier?
Many first time parents question if they have to use an infant carrier. It’s totally up to you. There are some advantages to starting off with an infant carrier though:
They’re portable. The carrier clicks into the base that stays in the car. That means that you don’t have to install the base every time you need to use the seat, and you don’t have to wake a sleeping baby when it’s time to get out of the car. That also means that you can purchase one carrier and multiple bases for other vehicles that may be transporting your baby.- They can be “travel system” compatible. Most infant carriers on the market these days are compatible with a stroller. That means that you take the carrier from your car and place it on a compatible stroller without having to remove your baby from the car seat.
- They can provide a better fit for baby. Infant carriers are smaller than other types of car seats. That means that you should be able to get a better fit for an infant using an infant carrier than some car seats that are designed to accommodate small infants as well as older toddlers.
Some parents are concerned about the infant carrier being or becoming too heavy to carry. If your baby has not outgrown the seat yet, but you feel that the carrier has become too cumbersome to carry, keep in mind that you can still use the seat without actually removing it from the base that is installed in your vehicle. Some parents simply keep the base and the carrier secured in the vehicle at all times and secure their child directly in the vehicle.
Also remember that it is not required that you use an infant carrier; you just need to use a seat that will keep your baby rear facing. Children must remain rear facing until they are at least 20 pounds and one year old. That means that if your child reaches 20 pounds at 9 months she still needs to remain rear facing for at least one year.
Convertible Car Seats
A convertible car seat is a seat that can be used rear facing and then “converts” to be used forward facing. Some convertible car seats allow your child to remain rear facing up to 35 pounds, and forward facing up to 65 pounds.
When should I move my child into a convertible car seat?
Many convertible car seats allow you to begin using them when your baby weighs as little as five pounds. That coupled with the fact that these seats can be used rear facing means that you could start using a convertible car seat from day one; you are not required to use an infant carrier.
If you choose to start with an infant carrier, your baby will be ready for their next seat either when:
- They have outgrown their infant carrier. Refer to your infant carrier user guide to determine when your child has outgrown the seat.
- You are ready to move them into their next seat. This could be because the infant carrier has become too cumbersome to carry.
When can I turn my convertible car seat around?
Many parents are anxious to turn their child’s seat around for various reasons; however we encourage you to keep your child rear facing as long as possible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is best for your child to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car safety seat.
At minimum children must remain rear facing until they are at least 20 pounds and one year old. That means that if your child reaches 20 pounds at 9 months she still needs to remain rear facing for at least one year.
Forward Facing Only Seats
Forward facing only seats are child seats that cannot be used in a rear-facing position. These seats come equipped with a harness system, will have a minimum weight requirement over 20 pounds, and some can accommodate children up to 80 pounds.
Why would I use a forward facing only child seat?
It is best to keep your child in a car seat with a five-point harness as long as possible. That being said, some parents who have multiple children will pass their older child’s convertible car seat on to their next child. Rather than moving their older child into a booster seat prematurely, they will purchase a forward facing seat that will allow them to stay restrained by a five-point harness longer.
Combination Seats
Combination seats are seats that possess a five-point harness that can later be removed and then used as a belt-positioning booster seat (more about belt-positioning boosters below). Some combination seats can keep your child restrained by a harness up to 80 pounds.
Why would I use a combination seat?
It is best to keep your child in a car seat with a five-point harness as long as possible. That being said, some parents who have multiple children will pass their older child’s convertible car seat on to their next child. Rather than moving their older child into a booster seat prematurely, they will purchase a combination seat that will allow them to stay restrained by a five-point harness longer. Once they’re child has outgrown the harness capacity of the seat, they can remove the harness system and continue to use the seat as a belt-positioning booster seat.
Belt-Positioning Booster Seats
Belt-positioning booster seats do not have a five-point harness system, but rather rely on the vehicle seat belt system to keep your child restrained. The booster seat boosts your child up so that the vehicle seat belts are positioned properly over your child. The lap belt should lie low and snug across your child’s upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should cross the middle of your child’s chest and shoulder. Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt (never a lap-only belt).
When can I move my child into a belt-positioning booster seat?
Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing child seat. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics it is best for children to ride in a harnessed seat as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age. If your child outgrows his seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.
Your child will be ready for a booster seat when any of the following is true:
- Your child reaches the top weight or height allowed for their seat with a harness. (These limits are listed on the seat and also included in the seat’s user guide.)
- Your child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots.
- Your child’s ears have reached the top of the seat.