Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Hey Girls,

When did you stop using your infant car seat with your DC and move to a regular car seat and just use the stroller? I have the Chicco Cortina Travel System and even though it's up to 22lbs. Emerson is starting to look cramped and uncomfortable in the infant car seat. She's probably around 14 lbs. now and 24-25" long. She just looks like she doesn't fit well anymore. The thing is she's not a pro yet at holding her up so would it be okay to just have the stroller seat lowered until she gets better with her head? What do you girls think? What was your experience with the infant car seat? TIA!!!

Kris

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

I kept Ava in the infant car seat until about 5 or 6 months.

Brody is 4 months old now and weighs 19 lbs. About a month ago, I couldn't carry him in that thing anymore!!!

So, I but him in the convertible car seat. It is rear-facing and reclined all the way. He seems happy in it.

Something to think about... once you switch them to the convertible car seat, they wake up everytime that you take them in and out of the car.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Anyone else?

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

DS was in the infant seat until he was 10 months old and man, was I sad to see that sucker go!

As long as she is meeting the restrictions, and she isn't screaming in it, I'd keep her in it through the winter. It is COLD out there!!

Take out inserts and stuff and see if that helps with how squished she looks

ETA: You should NOT use a jacket in a carseat (I just saw you wrote that!)

Message edited 1/17/2009 7:50:49 AM.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

For my DD-- 5.5 months. Now my DS is 16lbs at almost 4months and I think we only have a short while left I agree with Kate, ride out the rest of the winter and make the switch in the spring That's what I'm going to try and do.

Message edited 1/17/2009 7:50:43 AM.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Posted by KateDevine

DS was in the infant seat until he was 10 months old and man, was I sad to see that sucker go!

As long as she is meeting the restrictions, and she isn't screaming in it, I'd keep her in it through the winter. It is COLD out there!!

Take out inserts and stuff and see if that helps with how squished she looks

ETA: You should NOT use a jacket in a carseat (I just saw you wrote that!)

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by KateDevine

DS was in the infant seat until he was 10 months old and man, was I sad to see that sucker go!

As long as she is meeting the restrictions, and she isn't screaming in it, I'd keep her in it through the winter. It is COLD out there!!

Take out inserts and stuff and see if that helps with how squished she looks

ETA: You should NOT use a jacket in a carseat (I just saw you wrote that!)

Why can't you use a jacket?

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

I was so sad to stop using the infant car seat. DD was too long at 9 mos. so we switched her to the convertible car seat.

Also I agree with Katedevine to try not to bundle her up too much, that could definitely make her squished. I adore this car seat cover - it kept DD warm and it does not mess with the straps...

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Oh I see. I wasn't using a real ski jacket thing. Just like a heavier zipper sweatshirt jacket. Good to know. Thanks for the tip!!

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Message edited 1/17/2009 8:54:52 AM.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

DS just turned 4 months old. He is 17 pounds and is 27 1/4 inches. I use the bundle me so that we don't use a jacket (as PP wrote...it can be dangerous in an accident). I took the inserts out about 3 weeks ago because he was getting squished and the straps couldn't even really pull right around him. Once I did that it freed up a lot of room!

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

DS was 7 months old but we had no choice, he was at the max weight and height when we moved him out of the seat.

If it were me and my little one still had some time until meeting the maximum requirements I would try to keep her in there until the spring. Dealing with coats and all is a pain, plus younger babies fall asleep alot in the car so transferring from the convertible seat is much more tricky!

ETA: we used the bundle me and DS was a big boy. I dont hink you are really saving any room with a jacket vs the bundle me. Maybe the straps can be adjusted. Or get the one PP mentioned, its just so much easier and it keeps them warmer!

Message edited 1/17/2009 1:42:46 PM.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

I also have that travel system. The carseat is really heavy. I just moved my DD out of it a few weeks ago, and she is about 19 lbs. But, she's also 7 months. I would try to stick it out as long as you can because even though my DD is more comfortable in her Britax, its a PITA getting her to and from the car in this cold!! And, as a PP said, you can't leave the coat on, so I schlep her to the car, take off the coat, then strap her in. I miss the bundle me!!!

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Landon was at max weight & height at 6 months and thats when we made the permanent switch. We started the using the convertable car seat at 5 months but also kept the infant seat at the same time. it was sad to see the infant seat go. it really is so much easier in so many ways.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

I was in the same situation. I had to move my DD to the convertible seat at about 5 months. She is so much more comfy now, it was worth it. But it is a huge hassle now because of the cold.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

I have a chicco keyfit infant seat... it's rated 30lbs and 30". DS seemed very squished in it... but then I realized I forgot to remove the insert for newborn tooshies (he was about 15 lbs and 26"). Now, he still seems a tad squished by the shoulders, so I'm removing the newborn head support insert today. I'm hoping he'll last until march with the carseat. He's currently 16 lbs and 27" and 3 months....

I really like taking advantage of the sleeping baby aspect of the carseat... not to mention it's convenient on frigid days like this to be able to grab the handle and run into my home....

Message edited 1/17/2009 2:29:14 PM.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

He is almost 1 and he needs to be switched. We're putting him in a rear-facing Britax this weekend.

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Anthony is 4 mos today and I paln on putting him in the regular car seat come spring. I can't take the weight of the infant seat anymore, plus he is very uncomfortable in it, but winter is too harsh, so when it gets warmer I will switch (plus he will be sitting up independantly by then so it will make it easier for supermarket trips and stuff)

Re: Infant Car Seat Question - Need some advice

Thanks everyone. I had already removed the head insert weeks ago but I also took out the tushy/back insert too. Much roomier for her now. I also went back to the Kiddopotamus Posh Pouch and that also gave her more space. So until it's a real discomfort to her we'll keep her in it. It's so much easier although getting heavier to carry.