when to change to convertible car seat for infant

DD is 5 mos, 20lbs and 27.5 inches long. we have the snug ride 32 car seat. Do we need to switch her to the convertible car seat yet? As long as shes under 32lbs shes ok in the snug ride, right? and no matter what shes staying rear facing till shes at least 1, maybe longer.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

5 months is way too young to move to the convertible seat. i don't know the weight limit on your seat, but it sounds like it's 32 pounds, so you have at least another 6 months in that seat. height wise, she'll probably grow out of it before her weight. when you do move to a convertible seat (at about 12 months for most people) they should still be rear facing. the new recommendation is rear facing in the convertible seat until 2 yrs. old. if possible.

Message edited 1/29/2011 2:50:59 PM.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

Yeah, she needs to be under 32lbs and her head should be a couple of inches (don't remember the exact # of inches) from the top of the seat. Sounds like she's fine to me.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

We kept DD in the infant seat until she was a smidge over a year (although I stopped lugging her around in it by 9mos). We moved her to her convertible seat and forward facing all at the same time.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

we switched both kiddies at a year old

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

The seat is outgrown when either they have less than 1" of shell above their head OR they exceed the weight limit.

You don't have to switch them until you are ready. It is recommended that children RF until 2 years old or until they reach the limits of their convertible seat (35-40lbs depending upon their seat)

You can use the SR 32 up to the limits of the seat (32lbs and 1" of shell above DC's head) but you don't have to continue to take it in/out of the car, you can leave it in like you would a convertible.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

thanks for the info ladies! looks like she has at least a few more months till we need to change seats. i will probably just leave it in the car now since she's sooo heavy.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

I'm dying to move DD to the convertible car seat since she hates the infant carrier but I'm going to wait until the weather gets warmer. It seems easier to take her out in the cold in the carrier...

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

No need to wait...She can be moved to a convertible seat at any time. When we drove to Florida, we used DS's convertible seat. He was 5 months old. He was more comfortable. We used the infant seat for another 4 months. But I usually left the seat in the car...He was getting to heavy to carry...

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

You can change her now if you want to. Convertible carseat are also made for newborn, although I don't think they are as practical since you cannot remove them from the car and I feel NB's heads have a tendency to fall forward in the convertible.

You will still need to keep the convertible carseat rear facing just like the infant carseat.

The infant carseat is to be used until 1 yo, 20 Lbs and 29" (depending on your carseat) or the head is about 1 inch below the top of the seat) but some people used a convertible carseat from the beginning and never used an infant carseat.

I would keep the infant carseat as long as possible due to the weather. You can put a blanket of the baby and transfer the carseat in a out of the car easier.

But you can def. use the convertible carseat now. Just not in the facing forward position.

Message edited 1/30/2011 7:41:30 AM.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

Message edited 1/30/2011 7:42:07 AM.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

we are in process of doing it now. dd is almost 8m and she barely fits and its getting soooo heavy to lug around.
if your planning on just leaving it in the car maybe you should just do the convert able seat because it would be easier to get in and out of.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

Landon was into the convertible by 5.5 months. He was at weight limit, but i had the chicco with a lot lower weight limit than your car seat.
My twins are 6 months and below weight limits. I plan on keeping them in the infant seats until they reach the limit.
But it is true, you can switch at any time. Infant seats are more for convienance. Like Diana said m sot convertibles are for 5 lbs and up.

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

psssst.. Did you know if you're using an infant carrier that once they have proper head control (around 4 months) you can adjust the recline to be a bit more upright?

Those of you with babies who don't seem to like their carriers should try this and see if it helps.

The 45 degree angle is recommended for newborns without proper head control, this angle prevents the head from flopping forward and restricting their airway. Once they have head control, this is no longer a concern (it just looks uncomfortable to us)

Re: when to change to convertible car seat for infant

we switched DS at 7mo b/c our Chicco went up to 23 lbs i think, maybe 25. I dont remember. but he was approaching the weight limit, and I couldnt carry that seat in and out anymore.

So we switched to the convertible bet. 7-8mo;

Ped recommends keeping rear facing until 2 years old now.