When to move baby out of infant car seat?

Car seats are essentially of 3 different types. The 1st one is the infant car seat, the 2nd one is the booster seat, and the 3rd one is the convertible car seat.

Initially, you will use the infant car seat. However, after a while, you might want to move the baby out of the infant car seat. There are quite a few reasons why you need to do so. The primary among them is that after a while, due to the child’s growth, the infant car seats are not entirely safe for your child.

The question is when you need to do so?

Today, I will answer this question. Not only that, I will share with you other relevant information which will help you make this decision as well.

When to move baby out of the infant car seat?

You can move baby out of the infant car seat when the baby has outgrown the infant car seat.

You might be wondering how to judge the same?

There are essentially two ways in which you can judge the same.

1. First and foremost, you have to look at the weight limit of the infant car seat. In most cases, it is around 30 lbs to 35 lbs. If your child has outgrown this weight limit, the infant car seat is no longer safe for your child. In that case, you have to think about moving the child out of the infant car seat.

2. Another criterion is when your child’s head, while being in the seat, is just 1 inch away from the top. In that case, your child is not entirely safe in the infant car seat. Rather than waiting for the child to physically outgrow the infant car seat, now is the time to think about moving the infant out of the infant car seat.

In most cases, the child’s height will outgrow the dimensions of the infant car seat before the weight. That is why you should not just wait for the weight limit to be crossed but rather look at the 2nd factor, which I have highlighted.

Once you look at the 2nd criteria, it will become easier for you to move baby out of the infant car seat.

The general time during which this happens is between 9 months to 2 years. No one can point out the exact time when it will happen.

Once you feel the need to move baby out of the infant car seat, now is the time to get the convertible car seat.

The physical limit and the weight limit of the convertible car seat are much higher than the infant one. That is why it becomes very easy for you to use the convertible car seat for a long time.

If you delay the switch from the infant car seat to the convertible one, the car rides can be unsafe for your child.

No parent likes that. That is why it is important to switch over to the convertible car seat once you notice any of the criteria which I have highlighted above are being met. After that, you shouldn’t delay the switch to the convertible car seat.

Wondering how to make the switch?

If so, I will guide you with the same as well.

How to make the switch?

There are essentially three tips that you need to follow to make the switch from the infant car seat to the convertible car seat. I will highlight these three tips below.

1. Take the size of your child into account:

To make the switch comfortable for your child, it is a good idea to look at the limits of the convertible car seat.

Firstly, you have to look at the dimensions of the child, which the convertible car seat can accommodate. Once you look at that, you can choose a comfortable convertible car seat easily.

Not only that, from a safety point of view, it is important to look at the weight limit of the convertible car seat as well. Only when it can carry your child’s weight makes it easier for you to make the switch.

You have to judge the convertible car seat on these two things. Once you do so, making the switch is very easy.

2. Research more:

Another way to make the switch in the right fashion is to research as much as possible.

You might be wondering, why do you need to research?

Besides the size limit and the weight limit, there are various other things to keep in mind.

You have to look at the material of the convertible car seat as well as the safety features.

Additionally, you have to compare the prices of the convertible car seats as well.

However, price shouldn’t be the only consideration you need to make while choosing the convertible car seat.

You have to consider the safety features on offer and, after that, shortlist the model.

Only when you have shortlisted a particular model can you compare the prices of those models across the websites and then choose one.

With such research, it will become easier for you to choose the right convertible car seat.

3. Check the car manual:

Once you have shortlisted the model and the site you need to buy it, you have to refer to the car manual. However, you should do so before making the buying decision.

The car manual will let you know about the specifications of the seat, belts, and latch.

It will also let you know with which convertible car seats the seat is compatible.

Once you undertake all this research, it will become easier for you to choose a compatible car seat.

Not only will that, doing so ensure that your child is comfortable in the car seat and also completely safe.

When you follow these three tips while searching for the convertible car seat, the decision to buy one becomes easy. The buying decision certainly takes less time.

So, once you go through my guide above, it will become easier for you to understand when you should move baby out of the infant car seat. Essentially, when the baby is near the upper threshold limits of the infant car seats, you should think about buying the convertible one.

Now that you are aware of the answer to your question, you can go through my posts on other accessories like car seat riser (here), mini Cooper car covers (here), car tent (here). These posts will help you with the respective accessories easily.

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