Which Convertible Car Seat Should I Buy [Extra Quality]
Chicco convertible car seats are easy to install simply, accurately and securely every time. Choose from various performance fabrics including a zip & wash seat pad, ClearTex no added chemicals and 3D AirMesh for increased ventilation. The extended-use "Max" convertible car seat option offers 25% more legroom* in rear-facing mode and more calf-support in forward-facing mode. Shop our full line of convertible car seats to find the perfect fit for your family.
which convertible car seat should i buy
These car seats can accommodate children rear-facing weighing 5 to 45 pounds. Then they can then be turned forward-facing from age 2 through toddler years and beyond (20 to 70 pounds). A convertible car seat is a necessary follow-up to an infant seat to keep a child rear-facing until the minimum recommended age of 2. You should keep your child in the rear-facing position as long as possible.
The Britax One4life takes your child from birth to big kid with Britax safety and ClickTight installation. It easily converts from a rear-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing 5-point harness, to a high back belt-positioning booster seat. Britax One4life convertible to booster car seat grows with your child from 5 to 120 pounds & up to 63 inches tall. This seat offers full-body protection with 2 layers of side impact protection surrounding the head, neck & torso. As your baby grows, adjust the 15-position headrest & harness in seconds to create the perfect fit. When it is time for booster mode, simply tuck the harness into the built-in storage compartment. Get this seat here.
You might want to consider a convertible car seat instead of an all-in-one. A convertible car seat can be use rear-facing, forward-facing, and then as a booster for your toddler or preschooler (depending on height and weight limits).
The Britax Marathon ClickTight convertible car seat has a patented ClickTight installation system. It also features a layer of side impact protection, and safe cell impact protection for peace of mind while you are on the go with your child. Featuring: 7 recline positions for premium comfort, easy-adjust 14 position harness, and simple seat height adjustment with just the push of a button. Get this seat here.
This sleek and stylish seat is easy to install, easy to use, and sports thick but firm padding with soft fabric for an excellent seating configuration that makes longer trips a pleasant experience. Features an all-steel frame and reinforced belt path for superior protection, six-position recline (1 recline position rear-facing and 5 recline positions forward-facing)with; no-rethread 5 point harness and no-rethread two position crotch strap. Buy one of these convertible car seats here.
Convertible seats with steel-reinforced frames provide extra security. Five-point harnesses keep the child safe in the seat. Some convertible car seats also include extra layers of protection on the sides and anti-rebound bars to stabilize and reduce impact.
Look for a convertible car seat that offers extra comfort for your child, such as extra cushioning. A comfortable harness also makes a big difference. Cup holders are not necessary but do come in handy quite often.
In general, convertible car seats are larger than infant car seats, so they need more space. Make sure you have the space available for the convertible car seat to fit comfortably into the backseat. Make sure to consider the depth of the car seat, not just the width; if you have tall adults in the front, this can be a problem when your kids are still rear-facing.
Most infant car seats are a part of a travel system, which means that you can easily unlatch the seat and place it in a stroller. Transitioning the car seat to and from the car is easy. Another advantage to infant seats is that if the baby will be riding in multiple vehicles, you can buy several car seat bases, and the seat can be easily transferred from car to car. As parents know, moving actual car seats from car to car can be a pain; thankfully, infant car seats simplify the process.
The biggest reason to choose a convertible car seat is cost. A convertible car seat grows with your child, so you will not need to buy another car seat. Adaptability is, of course, a perk, and converting the seat to the next stage as your child gets bigger and older is simple and convenient.
All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear facing for 2 years or more.
Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Many seats can accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more.
All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.
When children are old enough and large enough for the vehicle seat belt to fit them correctly, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.
Car safety seats may be installed with either the vehicle's seat belt or its LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. LATCH is an attachment system for car safety seats. Lower anchors can be used instead of the seat belt to install the seat, and many parents find them easier to use in some cars. The top tether should always be used with a forward-facing seat, whether you use the seat belt or lower anchors to secure it. The seat belt and LATCH systems are equally safe, so caregivers should use one or the other, whichever works best for them, for their car safety seat, and their vehicle. In general, caregivers should only use 1 of the 2 options unless the car safety seat and vehicle manufacturers say it is OK to use 2 systems at the same time.
All lower anchors are rated for a maximum weight of 65 pounds (total weight includes car safety seat and child). Parents should check the car safety seat manufacturer's recommendations for maximum weight a child can be to use lower anchors. New car safety seats have the maximum weight printed on their label.
The AAP recommends that all infants ride rear facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. All infants and young children should ride in a rear-facing seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer.
If you are using a convertible or all-in-one seat in the rear-facing position, make sure the seat belt or lower anchor webbing is routed through the correct belt path. Check the instructions that came with the car safety seat to be sure.
This is a very common concern of parents, but it should cause them no worry. Children are very flexible and can always easily find a comfortable position in a rear-facing seat. Injuries to the legs are very rare for children facing the rear.
Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for her convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by her car safety seat manufacturer.
Integrated seats: Some vehicles come with built-in forward-facing seats. Weight and height limits vary. Do not use a built-in seat until your child has reached the highest weight or height allowed for your rear-facing convertible car safety seat. Read your vehicle owner's manual for details about how to use these seats.
Move the harness shoulder straps to the slots or position that is at or just above your child's shoulders. Check the instructions that came with the seat to be sure you are positioning the shoulder straps correctly.
Always use the tether when you can. A tether is a strap that is attached to the top part of a car safety seat and holds the seat tightly by connecting to an anchor point in your vehicle (often on the seat back or rear shelf; see your vehicle owner's manual to find where tether anchors are in your vehicle). Tethers give important extra protection by keeping the car safety seat and your child's head from moving too far forward in a crash or sudden stop. All new cars, minivans, and light trucks are required to have tether anchors as of September 2000. Forward-facing seats come with tether straps. A tether should always be used as long as your child has not reached the top weight limit for the tether anchor. Check the car safety seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual for information about the top weight limit and locations of tether anchors.
It's best to avoid this, especially if your vehicle has airbags in the front seat. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. If absolutely necessary, a child in a forward-facing seat with a harness may be the best choice to ride in front. Just be sure the vehicle seat is moved as far back away from the dashboard (and airbag) as possible.
Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing seats. All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. Most children will not fit in most vehicle seat belts without a booster until 10 to 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. Instructions that come with your car safety seat will tell you the height and weight limits for the seat. As a general guideline, a child has outgrown a forward-facing seat when any of the following situations is true: 041b061a72