When kids grow up, they physically and emotionally change, their needs also change and even their demands. Their parents do whatever it takes to support all their necessities as another phase of their children’s lives concludes. It could be challenging or confusing to come up with a conclusion particularly when the child’s safety depends on it. Even at some of the simplest forms of alteration, such as changing your child’s car seat, when and how you should change it, could be an issue. Should you give up your infant seats and consider getting convertible seats? What is the best convertible car seat? What are the guidelines you need to abide by? What should you do?
You’re probably having these questions in your mind as you go through the process of changing your child’s car seat. Here are some car seat safety tips to further assist you.
Proper Evaluation Before Changing the Car Seat
Contents
Basically, the time when you should change the car seat is when your child outgrow their current car seats. You do not want your child to struggle when the car seat gets too tight due to your child’s size, height or weight. The function of the car seat to protect your child against collisions or accidents will no longer be effective. However, you may have the best convertible car seat but you do not want a car seat that is too big for your child. It won’t be a perfect fit and its prime function won’t be effective either. Each car seat acquire such specifications that are designed for a particular group of children with the age, weight and height limit. Then so, to know when you can actually move to another kind of car seat, you need to make an accurate evaluation. Take note of these reminders.
1. Infant Car Seat to Convertible Car Seat
Infant car seats are designed for smaller babies up to 15 months of age or up to 22 pounds. It is to be mounted only in a rear-facing position. Convertible seats, on the other hand, are the type of car seat you should use after your child outgrows the infant car seats. These can be mounted in rear-facing and forward-facing position.
Every car seat is customized according to child’s height, weight or age. Manufacturers may provide limitations with these aspects in order for the consumers to get the most compatible type for their child.
When should you change or move your car seat?
- Most car seat manufacturers only allow infant car seats for smaller babies and children up to 2 years of age. If your child surpasses this age, you may consider changing the car seat and look for the best convertible car seat for big babies.
- Your child might be taller than the required age limit. If your child is too big for the infant car seat, you’ll see it when the top of his head exceeds the top of the canopy cover or shell carrier or it is less than an inch from it or whenever the size of the car seat seems uncertain.
- From rear-facing to forward-facing position, you can check the convertible car seat’s shoulder support. If your baby exceeds the shoulder support or indicators of the convertible car seat mounted in a rear-facing position, that’s when you can alter it to a forward-facing position.
- If the car seat is not appropriate in a rear-facing position, it is also noticeable when your toddler’s legs cannot be stretched out comfortably.
- When the child exceeds the car seat’s indicated age, weight and height limits.
2. Forward-facing Convertible Car Seat to Booster Seat
The best convertible car seat for tall babies is definitely available in the market. However, when your toddler grows older or taller rather, it can sometimes be confusing if you need to change to a booster seat or just settle with your current car seat, the forward-facing convertible seat.
It is recommended for parents that a convertible car seat be moved forward-facing when the child reaches the age at least the age of 2 until 6 years old. Sometimes, when the child’s height, age and weight reach the limit of the forward-facing car seat even before the age of 6, you can consider getting the best convertible car seat with booster on the market. These booster seats are designed to elevate the child’s position to perfectly fit on the car’s seatbelt.
When should you change to a booster seat?
- Change to a booster seat when the harness and the straps of the forward-facing seat are too tight for the child.
- If the shoulder indicators or the slots for the straps through the shoulder level is below the child’s shoulder, the car seat might be too small for him.
- Change to a booster seat if the child’s head is above the forward-facing convertible seat’s top shell.
- When the child exceeds the car seat’s indicated age, weight and height limits.
3. Booster seat to the vehicle’s seatbelt
Before you head out in the market or go over the internet to look for the best convertible car seat brands, you might want to double check if your child really needs one. Though the convertible car seat reviews could suggest the best ones for your child, taking an evaluation regarding his physical aspects will give you the accurate conclusion – if you need to give up the booster seats and move to the
vehicle’s seatbelt.
The vehicle’s seatbelt is generally designed for young adults and adults who are, apparently, larger than any convertible seats. You might have the best convertible car seat on a budget but you should not use it once your child surpasses the booster seat’s age, height and weight limits. Moreover, if the signs that your child is too big for a booster seat are visible, you definitely have to give up the booster seats.
When should you change to the vehicle’s seatbelt?
- If your child can sit comfortably on the seat with his knees bending right on the cushion, you won’t need booster seats anymore.
- If the vehicle’s seatbelt is strapped along your child’s mid-shoulder and the lap belt just right across their thighs, he, then, fits perfectly on the vehicle’s seatbelt.
- Your child is too heavy or tall for the booster seat, change to the vehicle’s seatbelt.
- If the child’s shoulder is above the booster seat’s shoulder indicators, the booster seat might be small and not fit for him anymore.
- When the child exceeds the car seat’s indicated age, weight and height limits.
Taking the Final Step
An accurate evaluation is prerequisite to come up with the right choices regarding your child’s safety and comfort. To sum up the whole evaluation process, here’s what you can do:
- Evaluate your child’s physical aspects such as the age, height and weight.
- Check first the convertible car seats if they still provide a correct fit.
- Do not use the car seat if it is too small or too big for your child.
- If your child outgrows the convertible seat, change it. If he previously uses a booster seat, don’t use it anymore.
- Find the most appropriate type of car seat for your child.
It is indeed valuable to know what type of car seat your child needs as his safety can depend on it. You can browse along the convertible car seat reviews and find the best convertible car seat on the market but, then again, you have to take these reminders with great consideration.