Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

DS has not hit the height/weight limit on his snugride (he has another inch and 1/2 to go) but he is getting very heavy to carry in it and it hurts my back to take in and out of the car or even transfer to the snap n go. This weekend we put in his convertible carseat and decided to retire the snugride and snap n go early. It is such a PITA to get put him in bunting, then take him into the car, then transfer him to his stroller.... I'm just wondering if I should switch back to the infant seat and grin and bear it till DS reaches the limit. WWYD? Did you retire the infant seat early? Did your DC prefer their convertible seat?

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

My DD didn't reach the weight or height requirement and on Sunday we switched her over to her Britax carseats. She has so much more room and seems to be so much happier in it. She will be 10 months on Sat

It is a little more work but you are going to have to do it at some point and if it is hurting your back I would definitely leave him in the convertible.

Message edited 2/16/2010 11:09:34 AM.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We have been debating this too! We use the snugride and DD has another 2 inches (maybe) to go but she feels so tight in there. I am REALLY trying to hold off b/c I like the cover on the infant seat and since it's still SO cold am confused about transferring her, like you mentioned. If it were warmer, I would switch her in a second- but just b/c of the weather- I think we're going to try to wait it out as long as we can (hopefully just another month). Is it summer yet???

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We switched early. Around 7 months I believe. He was way too heavy to be carrying in that thing!!!!

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

Can I ask why not just leave the snugride in place and take the baby in and out like you would with the convertible if it's just that it's too heavy to carry?


I'm trying to figure out what to do. We don't have a convertible seat yet and while Ann isn't heavy compared to other babies AT ALL, I am clearly a weakling. But I guess I'm just thinking until she outgrows the infant seat, why wouldn't I continue to use it, removing her instead of the seat ...

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We switched really early (like 4 or 5 months) because the infant carseat was super uncomfortable for her. She LOVED her convertible seat.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

DD is 6 months and i think this is her last week in it. The straps feel SO tight on her (i put a sweater on her over her clothes when we go out, but not a bulky jacket or anything) and they're so hard to close. I'm going to miss that thing so much

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

ds is 4.5 months and i cant imagine keeping him in the infant carrier until he reaches the max weight/height.

in a couple of months as soon as the weather warms up a bit i will switch him over

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We're keeping James in the infant seat as long as possible - even though he's getting long and heavy. It's just easier for getting him in and out of the car. He's not at the point yet where I can't carry the seat with him in it, but his little feet are reaching the edge.

My goal is to get through the winter months with the infant seat and then make the switch once the warmer weather hits.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

4 mths. It was too heavy, DD was tight and uncomfy in it. Taking her out was the best thing for me and her.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We did when DD was just turning 6 mos, she was getting way too heavy and seemed uncomfortable in the seat!

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

we switched DD over at 3 months, bc she HATED the infant seat.. she would scream bloody murder every time i put her in it.

with DS he was about 4.5 months old. he was getting to heavy

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

we switched at 9 months - she wasn't even close to the weight/height limit, but she was just too heavy for me to carry around and I always had a hard time adjusting the straps on the infant seat. We changed it out and never looked back!

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

In my opinion grin and bear it. Those height weight limits are there for a reason. In this case a SAFETY reason. I know it su*ks but its one of those things that fall into the whole, "its what being a parent is all about".

Good luck

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

We switched all 3 of our kids around 4 months old. They were all 17-19 lbs at the time.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

With my first I switched him at two months - he hated that thing.

Tyler is now four months and I have no plans on taking him out for at least another two months, for convenience reasons.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

dd loves her carseat. as soon as we put her in she is out cold. I on the other hand hate it. We are going to wait till the weather gets a little nicer than switch. It's just easier w/ the carrier now that it is cold.

Re: Did anyone retire their infant car seat early?

yes, I retired my infant seat for both DC around 7 months. They weren't at the limits, but they reached my limit I couldn't carry that thing anymore!!

ETA rear facing Britax is just as safe. I had them inspected. The only think I found to be bothersome was the coats in the winter. I never took them off, which is a big no-no, but I would unzip them and have the straps snug on their chest. I also used those blankets that zip around the infant seat, which I read after the fact aren't that safe either.

Message edited 2/16/2010 11:10:12 PM.