What's Right for Your Baby: An Infant Car Seat or a Convertible Car Seat?
Each type of seat has unique advantages, and both are designed so you can properly position your infant in them. If your baby was born full-term, you'll need to keep him or her semi-reclined (with the car seat at a 45-degree angle) to help keep baby's airways open and cushion baby's back and neck. If your baby was born prematurely (before 36 weeks) or has other special needs, please consult with your pediatrician. You may need a special seat to transport your baby in the car.
Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats are small enough to double as a carrier and allow you to move baby in and out of your vehicle without removing him or her from the car seat. Some have basket-like handles or a shoulder-strap option to make carrying them easier. Most infant car seats also have an in-vehicle base that allows you to easily snap the car seat in and out without having to re-buckle and tighten the vehicle belt each time. However, because of its smaller size, the maximum weight rating for baby on most infant car seats is 20-22 pounds.
Convertible Car Seats
A convertible-style car seat reclines and is used rear-facing until your baby is at least 20 pounds and 1 year old (see the specific guidelines provided with each manufacturer's model). Some car seats are designed to hold a child rear-facing beyond 20 pounds, and it is recommended that a child remain rear-facing until they reach the car seat's weight and height capacity limitations. Once your child is of appropriate weight and age, the seat can be turned around and used upright in a forward-facing position until your child weighs 40–55 pounds (again, maximum weight varies by seat so check the guidelines for each model). A convertible car seat may not be as convenient as an infant model for transporting your baby outside of a vehicle, but the fact that you'll be able to use it all the way until your child reaches 40 or 55 pounds makes it an attractive option.
Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats are small enough to double as a carrier and allow you to move baby in and out of your vehicle without removing him or her from the car seat. Some have basket-like handles or a shoulder-strap option to make carrying them easier. Most infant car seats also have an in-vehicle base that allows you to easily snap the car seat in and out without having to re-buckle and tighten the vehicle belt each time. However, because of its smaller size, the maximum weight rating for baby on most infant car seats is 20-22 pounds.
Convertible Car Seats
A convertible-style car seat reclines and is used rear-facing until your baby is at least 20 pounds and 1 year old (see the specific guidelines provided with each manufacturer's model). Some car seats are designed to hold a child rear-facing beyond 20 pounds, and it is recommended that a child remain rear-facing until they reach the car seat's weight and height capacity limitations. Once your child is of appropriate weight and age, the seat can be turned around and used upright in a forward-facing position until your child weighs 40–55 pounds (again, maximum weight varies by seat so check the guidelines for each model). A convertible car seat may not be as convenient as an infant model for transporting your baby outside of a vehicle, but the fact that you'll be able to use it all the way until your child reaches 40 or 55 pounds makes it an attractive option.
- Positioning & Installing a Car Seat
- Are Booster Seats Really Necessary?
- What's Right for Your Baby: An Infant Car Seat or a Convertible Car Seat?
- Car Seat Guidelines
- Finding the Right Car Seat
- Car Seat To-Do List
