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Convertible Seat Alert: Kids Under 1 Years Old
From the moment parents leave the hospital with their precious newborn, they will need a properly-installed infant car seat to safely transport their little one home.
As the child grows, parents will need to make sure the car seat “grows” with him. The next step up from an infant carrier would be a convertible car seat, and then eventually a booster seat would be used until the child is roughly 8 years old. The timing of these transitions is what tends to get a bit tricky, as a child’s weight, height, age and the individual car seat guidelines all have to be taken into account.
According to new findings by Consumer Reports, parents should actually be switching their children out of infant car seats and into convertible car seats sooner rather than later.
Results from a series of crash tests have shown that little ones should be transitioned from a rear-facing infant seat to a rear-facing convertible seat by no later than their first birthdays — even if they haven’t yet outgrown their infant seat.
These recommendations come from crash tests comparing both infant and convertible seats using 22-pound dummies that represent a 1-year-old child. The Consumer Reports testing simulated a frontal crash with the car travelling at 35 miles per hour.
In more than half (16 of 30) of the infant seats tested, the dummies’ heads hit the simulated front seat back. By contrast, this only happened once during testing of the convertible seats.
Via Consumer Reports
In reality, many children will have outgrown their infant seats based on the product specifications alone before age 1 anyway. The thing is, kids tend to outgrow seats by length before they outgrow them by weight. A good rule of thumb to follow, according to Consumer Reports, is a child should be moved to a convertible seat if his head is 1 inch or less from the top of the carrier’s shell.
Another important detail for parents to keep in mind is that children ages 2 and younger are safest in seats that are rear-facing, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Some states even require, by law, children younger than 2 to remain rear-facing.)
For more details on the safety ratings of specific car seats and other child car seat safety tips, visit this helpful resource page from Consumer Reports.
Kathy Dunn
February 13, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Hi. I’m so glad I can ask my very important question.
I have a 14 month old grandson who, due to height, outgrew infant seat. His pediatrician (according to Charlie’s Mom) suggested a forward facing bigger seat. I think that’s wrong. He’s too young for forward facing seat.
What rear facing seat is really good, won’t break me, and sits a little higher (for height)?
Thanks!!
Kelli
February 15, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Check out The Car Seat Lady or Car Seats for the Littles on Facebook and they should be able to give you some recommendations.
We personally have a Diono Radian (runs about $250). Got it in Sept 2012 when my daughter was 9 months old. She just turned 4 in December and is still rear facing. She’ll never need another seat.
Bee R.
February 16, 2016 at 9:52 am
Kathy, we use the myride 65 for my son and plan to buy another for our baby on the way as well. We rear faced our son in this seat until he was 40 lbs, which was about 2 yes old for him (he is tall for his age) and was even comfortable enough for him on a road trip from California to Idaho (with breaks for diaper changes and leg stretching ofcourse).
Melinda
February 14, 2016 at 3:56 pm
The thing is, kids tend to outgrow seats by length before they outgrow them by height.
Aren’t length and height the same thing. Length is just referencing infants that can’t stand to get a height.
Joyce Goff
April 23, 2016 at 12:44 am
Sonny Stovall
Joyce Goff
April 23, 2016 at 12:44 am
Megan Stovall
Jennie Jensen
April 23, 2016 at 12:52 am
Mandy Normoyle-Brown might be a good read
Ashley Parent
April 23, 2016 at 1:08 am
Dylan
Sari Saldaña
April 23, 2016 at 1:24 am
Tony Saldana
Nena Trinidad
April 23, 2016 at 2:05 am
Yesenia Palma paque no se vaya a aser esperar como yo me siento culpable le pudo aver pasado algo a mi Vania asi como anduvo ya con la cabeza afuera de la silla
April Evans
April 23, 2016 at 2:42 am
My daughter was in the last stage of the booster seat till she was 7. She was so petite. ..
Brittany Cook Hoffman
April 23, 2016 at 3:25 am
Tiffany Cook Ditzel
Christina Ocampo
April 23, 2016 at 4:02 am
John Gary Rubin Jr
Alessandra Alejandro
April 23, 2016 at 4:10 am
My son is 4.5 yrs but tiny. hes in a convertible seat now. There’s lots of room above head – I just switched him from rear facing 6 months ago. My daughter is almost three and in a convertible forward and my 1 yr old is in the middle of them rear facing convertible.
When should I put mr 4.5 in a booster seat??
Jess Wortman
April 26, 2016 at 1:33 am
5 is the absolute minimum, but most children aren’t ready until 6 or 7. Harnesses are safer, so keeping them harnessed until they reach the max limits is the safest option.
Check out Car Seats for the Littles to get more information <3
Camille Eisenbart
April 26, 2016 at 2:00 am
Can I ask why you kept your oldest RF until almost 4, but your daughter is already FF at 2? As for when to move to a high back booster, you need to check your car seat manual for the seat’s limits/signs your child has outgrown it. There are several different things to look for: height, weight, ears in shell, and harness height.
Heather Bartow
April 23, 2016 at 6:24 am
Moved my baby a month ago to a convertable im not taking any chances
Amanda Kissling
August 27, 2016 at 11:11 pm
What Is a convertible car seat mean?
Yesi Galdamez
April 23, 2016 at 8:00 am
Carol Herrera Sanchez
Juliana Berbat
April 23, 2016 at 9:00 am
Vanessa Macedo Navarro
Vanessa Macedo Navarro
April 23, 2016 at 6:57 pm
Bom saber
Jessika Garcia
April 23, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Kathrin Handtke Francisco Posada
Ariel Bauman
April 23, 2016 at 7:55 pm
Brian Bauman
Annabelle Berger
April 24, 2016 at 2:32 am
And today I had to take a ride with someone who don’t believe in seat belt or carseat and his 3 girls was all over the backseat
Amy Yagmich-Waters
April 24, 2016 at 4:47 am
Brooke
Erin Lundin Rocha
April 24, 2016 at 5:23 am
Christina Gaudern Lundin
Jessica Jurado Gonzalez
April 26, 2016 at 12:37 am
Rosa Garcia Pulido
Rosa Garcia Pulido
April 26, 2016 at 2:36 am
Yikesssssss luckily my shrimp is not even close to the 1inch
Sandy Tanzola
April 26, 2016 at 1:11 am
There is info on the mto website look it up and it will tell you everything you need to know. My daughter is 5 yrs old and weights 34 lbs she will not be in a booster seat for a long time.
Andrea Diaz
April 26, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Moved my son at 8 months to a rear facing stage 2. He will be rear facing till at least 40 lbs. That’s just the ship we run
Jaime Rodin
April 26, 2016 at 6:51 pm
My 6yr old weighs 39lbs. There is no way he could be rear facing.
Andrea Diaz
April 26, 2016 at 7:05 pm
To each their own..my guy is small. Tall but small..and he will rear face as long as possible.
Courtney Jordan
April 26, 2016 at 5:41 pm
A properly installed rear facing convertible is just as safe as an infant bucket seat.
Camille Eisenbart
April 26, 2016 at 6:08 pm
That’s not what this article is even addressing. It’s saying that the latest data shows children should be transitioned to a RF convertible seat from the bucket seat no later than their first birthday, even if the bucket seat limits haven’t been reached.
Courtney Jordan
April 26, 2016 at 6:38 pm
That was in response to someone else’s comment…
Stephanie Church
April 27, 2016 at 1:14 am
Becca Elizabeth
Leeanna
May 9, 2016 at 2:22 am
The “Grow With Me” car seat at Walmart is what my little girl is in, she’s 18 lbs and over 2 ft tall now… but the car seat goes from 8 lbs to like 65 lbs I believe… It starts rear facing and reclines and expands up and out at the legs and feet too for front facing… She won’t need another car seat for quite sometime…. Absolutely love it!!! It was about $200 …. Its sooo worth it, especially for as long as you will be able to use it!
Leeanna
May 9, 2016 at 2:23 am
And she’s only 6 months old!
Michelle Eden-Duval
June 11, 2016 at 1:48 am
Tanis Loughran have you seen this? Thoughts?
Abby Wright
June 11, 2016 at 1:51 am
Sarah Chasez something might be worth reading
Sarah Chasez
June 11, 2016 at 1:53 am
Yes. We actually brought our daughter home in a convertible car seat.
Abby Wright
June 11, 2016 at 1:55 am
Sarah Chasez safety first, just thought you be interested in this! , have a great weekend
Zoe Annemieke Bakker
June 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Please check with a certified car seat technician because this information is NOT accurate!
Felix Avellaneda
June 11, 2016 at 1:54 am
Crystal Avellaneda
Anya Uvina
June 11, 2016 at 2:12 am
Michelle Chavarria
Heather Simmons
June 11, 2016 at 2:13 am
Joe Maggiolino
Julie Hawke
June 11, 2016 at 2:33 am
Scooby Farrell Kate Hawke Liz Hawke
Michelle Mcquaid
June 11, 2016 at 3:14 am
Jennifer Fennelly
Jennifer Fennelly
June 11, 2016 at 3:47 am
We got him a new one last week! He was ready to get out of that infant seat lol
Pati Smilez
June 11, 2016 at 3:16 am
Ellie Carreño
Ellie Carreño
June 11, 2016 at 3:21 am
We were just talking about this at work!
Brooke Doolan
June 11, 2016 at 3:39 am
Carly McDonnell
Carly McDonnell
June 11, 2016 at 9:31 am
Sooo mine is good?
Brooke Doolan
June 11, 2016 at 9:32 am
Carly McDonnell don’t remember , I more meant the age too tho, as most ppl turn bubs around too early to forward facing
Carly McDonnell
June 11, 2016 at 10:05 am
Brooke Doolan yeah I heard it later these days.. I’m in no rush to turn her..
Tasha Dupre
June 11, 2016 at 3:52 am
Eric Dupre
Samantha Jaennette
June 11, 2016 at 4:12 am
Austyn-Taylor Walline ugh
Austyn-Taylor Walline
June 11, 2016 at 4:15 am
OMG see! Haha I give up lol
So she needs to be out of that seat…
But still in one rear facing!
I even called the sheriff station last night an got mixed answers!!
The law goes into place in Jan 17 in California
2 years or 40lbs or 40inches! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Angelina Gambina Scott
June 11, 2016 at 4:40 am
Allyson Graham
Allyson Graham
June 11, 2016 at 4:46 am
Thank you ❤️
Diana Leticia
June 11, 2016 at 4:51 am
Saul Ruiz
Diana Leticia
June 11, 2016 at 4:52 am
I think Saulito might be ready for the next step….
Jasmine Brady
June 11, 2016 at 5:08 am
Matthew Brady
Nichole Tiara Vasquez
June 11, 2016 at 5:26 am
Adrian
Hertenstein Loreli
June 11, 2016 at 11:05 am
Scott Hertenstein
Cynthia Ferreira
June 11, 2016 at 11:59 am
Leslie Ortiz
Janice Fung
June 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Mary To-Truong
Stacey Howlett
June 11, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Dana McGinnis Brenna Christine Christine Campbell
Dana McGinnis
June 11, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Jackson is in his.
Shaina Principe Torres
June 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Arielle Samarelli
Catharine Watkins
June 11, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Jessica Halleran
KaYee Wong
June 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Jody Ketefian FYI
Aine Ni Bhanain
June 11, 2016 at 7:07 pm
Barry Colclough
Jen Michele
June 12, 2016 at 5:34 am
Kyle Curtis this might be worth checking out….???
Denise Soto
June 12, 2016 at 10:08 am
Carlos Soto
Erika Perez
June 13, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Jose Victoria
Teresa Pasillas Noory
August 27, 2016 at 2:33 am
Osman Noory
Chana Taylor Wald
August 27, 2016 at 3:52 am
Christina Marie Clark
Christina Marie Clark
August 27, 2016 at 4:27 am
So funny you tagged me….I finally moved her today!
Crystal Avellaneda
August 27, 2016 at 4:19 am
Felix Avellaneda
Gaby Colunga
August 27, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Mike Ferrara
Fernanda Baldi Pontoni
August 27, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Luciana Coelho Bianca Simões Polimeno Michelle Timoteo Fernanda Fernandes Cunha
Shantel Hernandez
September 27, 2016 at 8:51 pm
Victor Alaniz we gotta switch asap
Tina Nguyen
September 27, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Sereyroth Veng
Giana DePasquale
September 27, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Nicole Fernandes
Nicole Fernandes
September 29, 2016 at 1:30 am
Good to know, thanks!
Jessica Navarro
September 27, 2016 at 10:25 pm
Chelis Mena
Yahaira Vidana
September 27, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Carla Vidana look
Tara Reid
September 27, 2016 at 11:10 pm
Jason Reid let’s get Kobes a car seat like Kaleb ASAP
Heather Simmons
September 28, 2016 at 12:07 am
Joe Maggiolino ivy’s at least 20lbs
Jocelyn Swayne
September 28, 2016 at 12:45 am
Carrie Rootz-Morales
Janet Miller
September 28, 2016 at 12:59 am
Jen Miller Prudlow
Jody Wright
September 28, 2016 at 2:29 am
Vanessa Ursel this is interesting
Judi Jones
September 28, 2016 at 2:59 am
Kristin your thoughts on this, plus it won’t let me read the article for some reason
Elizabeth Lovern
September 28, 2016 at 3:19 am
Joshua Lovern we need to start looking at car seats
Teresa Perez Limon
September 28, 2016 at 3:28 am
Dora Perez-Robles
Gemma Noys
September 28, 2016 at 4:50 am
Sophie Robertson I have a seat if you need one
Carlee Olsen
September 28, 2016 at 8:40 am
Bella Bruce
Jee Kim Smith
September 28, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Jeff Smith
Alicia Garza De García
September 28, 2016 at 10:12 pm
Johnnathan Garcia Pope