BR: When do you...

LauraR326

switch from an infant carrier to a convertible carseat?  Also, when you switch do you still have them rear facing? 

This is obviously going to be quite the expense considering the price of these things-which is why I'm asking.  I want to start saving. 

LindsayB0505

We were told that they need to stay rear facing until 1 year old or they are walking (or something along those lines).  They can be in a convertible seat right from the get go if you want.  The convertibles face front or rear.  We have to give my sister's infant seat back when she has her baby at the end of may so we will just switch to a convertible then and have it rear facing until she gets bigger.

ETA:  So I'm not sure if maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but you should only need one more carseat when you move up as far as I understand it to work. 

LauraR326

Nope, you got it correct.  I was looking at babies r us and there's carseats on there that grow with the child.  I like having the infant carrier when we go into stores but I think when he's able to sit up on his own we are making the switch. 

AlyciaandRich

I was told to keep them rear facing until they reach the rear facing weight of their convertAble car seat. Closer to two years if possible is the recommendation here the law is one. Brin is still in the infant carrier but we leave the seat in the car for the most part. I will keep him in until the spring. Ours has a 35lb and 32 in limit. 

sstara

We switched Parker from an infant carrier to a convertible rear facing car seat when he was 7 months old.  The main reason was his size.  Parker and his car seat was roughly 30 pounds, which was too much for me to carry on one arm.

The AAP's new recommendation is to keep them rear facing until they are 2.  I strongly suggest you keep them rear facing as long as possible.  I don't buy the "my kids legs are too long" excuse at all.  Check out this video.

LauraR326

Thanks Tara.  I haven't seen that video but I did know about keeping him rear facing.  I'll probably wait until Lucas can sit up on his own (for shopping trips) and then switch him over.  We aren't in a rush, I was just beginning to get curious. 

sstara

I know you didn't ask, but we have a Britax Marathon 70 (my car) and an Evenflo Triumph (Rusty's truck).  We all LOVE the Britax sooooo much better!

C_mo

By law (up here) they have to be rear facing until they are 1 year old, it is suggested that they stay rear facing until 2. My bucket seat is good until the baby is either 22lbs or 29 inches long, and by the time Wyatt turned one he hadn't hit either but I put in the convertible seat anyways. I put him front facing for a couple reasons... 1, the seat's strap wasn't long enough to put it rear facing in my car, 2, he was super uncomfortable in the bucket seat, and would fight me to no end, and 3, he is WAY happier front facing... I know this isn't a good reason to some, but having to drive 30 minutes no matter where we go, it's a big deal for us.

mrsdan2009

I changed eli to tie convertible at 4 months old. we just had the smaller snug ride that only went to 22lbs at his 4 month appt he was nearly 20lbs. he couldn't sit up on his own but I didn't want to push it. I just brought a ring sling with. just putting him in the convertible seat made him much happier. eli is still rear facing at 19 months our seat can stay rear facing until 40lbs and he will be that way until then or he asks to be turned around. the legs too long is bs to me because eli had to start bending his legs before a year since he is huge. he doesn't care. I also recommend a seat that goes to 40lbs rear facing if you think you are going to have a big kid (we have the britax boulevard cert 70). e was 33 albs at his first birthday so in some of the other seats he would have had to be turned around before a year which isn't safe at all and against the law. ok that got really long hth.

indomesticbliss

2 is the current recommendation for rear facing, 1 is what is legally required. A is 37 inches long and is still rf-his legs just chill up on the seat!

We switched to a convertible seat when he was 5 months and may wind up doing it sooner with B since she is already 2 inches longer than A was at her age. We have a britex advocate for him and I love it. It's expensive, but britex regularly goes on sale- I think we got it for $200 and it's usually $270 for the print..,

We did have a graco my ride  65 and it kicked the bucket after 10 months...

RachelMarie83

I switched Julia to the convertible around 8 months because I was tired of carrying around the carrier.  

She is still rear facing because she is only about 19 pounds and they must be 20 pounds for forward facing.  Even then, I will probably leave her rear facing until it becomes a problem.

We also have a Britax Marathon and I love it!! We just bought a second one for DH's car for $186 during the BRU trade in event.

shortycole2

David's biggest deal with carseats has always been that rear-facing is safest, and to do it as long as possible. Past age 2 is not too long.

sstara

In Sweden they keep their kids rear facing until they are 4-5 years old.  I wish that was the norm here.