Choosing a convertible car seat

Convertible car seats are designed to start out in a rear-facing position, for infants and children up to about 35 pounds. When your child gets big enough, you can turn the seat forward-facing and use it until they reach 40 or 50 pounds (high-capacity seats can hold kids weighing up to 80 pounds). Height limits vary greatly, from 40 to 53 inches. Because convertibles can often be used for years with a single child, they are usually considered the best value among car seat styles. Infant car seats have a much shorter usable lifespan -- weight limits range from 22 to 35 pounds and height limits from 29 to 32 inches -- but most reviewers say they're the best choice for newborns, with snugly padded, reclined seats to cradle tiny babies and convenient carrying handles and stay-in-car bases (so you don't have to wake sleeping infants to get them in and out of the car). If buying two car seats in one year is not in your budget, experts say a convertible car seat is an acceptable choice as long as your baby meets the minimum weight requirement (usually about 5 pounds).

Experts say the following about buying a car seat:

  • It's best to avoid buying a used car seat. You won't know if it's been in an accident, and because the product isn't registered in your name, you won't receive recall notices. In addition, seats come labeled with an "expiration date." That's because over time (manufacturers say about six years), the plastic can dry out and degrade, increasing the possibility of cracking. Experts say you should not use a car seat after you've been in a moderate to serious crash -- that's because car seats are made to withstand only one serious accident. However, the NHTSA has revised its guidelines with respect to minor accidents, and experts now say if your vehicle is still drivable, nobody inside the car was hurt, the airbags did not deploy and the door nearest the child's car seat is not damaged, it's generally safe to keep using your existing car seat as long as it is not visibly damaged.
  • The safest place for a car seat is in the center of the rear seat. Installation can be tricky, however, so be sure to keep the car seat's packaging if you need to return it due to poor fit.
  • A five-point harness (which has straps for the shoulders, waist and between the legs) provides the best support and puts the least amount of pressure on the baby. Harnesses that adjust the belt in the front are easier to use than those that adjust in the back.
  • When purchasing a car seat for infants, don't buy seats that come with padded overhead shields that swing down in front of the harness. The NHTSA says these shields come up too high on infants and make proper harnessing difficult.
  • Chest clips that snap the two belts together (like a car seat belt) seem to be more kid-proof than slide-in clips. Reviewers say some older toddlers can slip out of the latter type.
  • Whichever seat you purchase, check the return policy and keep the receipt until you're sure the seat is compatible with your vehicle. Not all seats fit perfectly in all cars. CarSeatData.org features a car seat compatibility database to match up makes and models of cars with appropriate car seats.

According to the NHTSA, most injuries sustained in accidents involving car seats stem from improper use and installation. Many reviews and community sources urge parents to follow weight guidelines, even if it means buying three different car seats as your child grows. If your infant is under a year old but has exceeded the maximum rear-facing infant seat weight (usually between 22 and 35 pounds, depending on the seat), a convertible car seat should be used. Although few parents like the idea of cycling through three different car seats during a child's early years, experts say that keeping your baby in a properly sized seat is essential for safety.

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