No Sweat Baby Gear

Does my baby need a new car seat?

I have a Graco SnugRide infant car seat. However, my 5-month old is over two feet tall and about 18 lbs. Assuming she reaches the 20 lb max before her first birthday, what kind of car seat do I need to get?

The following is from the first link, “Big Baby:
Convertible seats fit infants rear facing up to about 20 lbs. Some convertible seats are rated for heavier rear facing weights and should be used for infants less than 1 year who weigh over 20 lbs (A).

Toddler:
Children over age 1, who weigh at least 20 lbs. face forward in a convertible seat (B). Forward-facing child vest (C) or seat (D) are for children over age one and at least 20 pounds. These products hold children of varying sizes. Be sure to read the label and instructions. Some convert from a toddler type seat with a harness to a belt-positioning booster (D). Some are built into the vehicle seat. A full harness should be used to about 40 lbs.

Warning: Most toddlers are not big enough or old enough for a booster seat. They need a full harness to give protection for the upper body and to hold them in their seats. A full harness should be used to about 40 lbs.

When choosing a safety seat, remember:
A seat that is easy to install and use will be the best for you and your child. Find and read the instruction booklet.Look for a convertible seat that has a higher weight limit in the rear-facing position if your baby is less than 1 year and over 20 lbs.Try locking and releasing the buckle in the store. Try changing the length of the straps. Some harnesses adjust automatically to fit the child. Many can be adjusted easily from the front or the side. Others have a metal adjustment slide through which you must pull the straps.If the seat has a metal slide adjustor, you must thread the strap up and down through the openings, then back through the first slot (E) to “lock” it every time you adjust the harness. This keeps the strap from pulling through the slide in a crash, which would allow the child to be thrown out.Try the seat in your vehicle. Most safety seats fit better into some vehicles than others. Cars with bucket seats or small rear seats may present problems.”
The site has some very good pictures as well.

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