Expiring carseat - WWYD?

W&J'sMommy

I have a Graco Snugride that was manufactured Jan 2006, expires 2010 (doesn't say a month).  I can't decide if I should just buy a new one or use the old one (which is in perfect condition, so I feel wasteful buying a new one).  My other kids outgrew the length max (29 inches) by the time they were around 7 months old, so for this baby that would be March 2011.

So do I use the old seat, even though it will be expired for a few months of usage?

Or do I buy a new one (I would get the Snugride 35, which has a higher length max (32 inches) so the baby could use it longer, which would be really nice too)?

SumnerBride

I'd get a new one.  I don't mess around with carseat safety.

hcmamm1

I am in the similar situation. I bought a graco snugride in 2006 ( not sure when manufactured) and am wondering if I can still use it with in November 2010.  I am curious to see what others have to say.

emiliemadison

Hmm. That's strange since Graco Snugride's are good for 5 years (some 6) and they always give a month/year on the expiration sticker. My SnugRide was manuf in March of '05 is good until December of '10. Double check that sticker, just to be sure.

If it does, in fact, expire before a new baby you MUST get a new seat. Absolutely. And honestly, I'd just get another that goes to 22 lbs or 29 inches because by the time they reach that (around 7 months like your other kids) then they're big enough to fit well in a convertible and you're less likely to carry a bigger child around in their seat much longer anyway. And if you just leave it in the car, what's the point of getting one that holds a bigger child, kwim?

W&J'sMommy

emiliemadison:

Hmm. That's strange since Graco Snugride's are good for 5 years and they always give a month/year on the expiration sticker. My SnugRide was manuf in March of '05 is good until December of '10. Double check that sticker, just to be sure.

 

I thought so too, I checked the sticker on the actual seat as well as the base and they both only gave year.  I was thinking of calling Graco to see if they could clarify.

emiliemadison

W&J'sMommy:

emiliemadison:

Hmm. That's strange since Graco Snugride's are good for 5 years and they always give a month/year on the expiration sticker. My SnugRide was manuf in March of '05 is good until December of '10. Double check that sticker, just to be sure.

 

I thought so too, I checked the sticker on the actual seat as well as the base and they both only gave year.  I was thinking of calling Graco to see if they could clarify.

The expiration isnt on the sticker- it's actually imprinted into the plastic It blends in and can be hard to see, but check again and I bet you'll find it!

Here's an example

 

W&J'sMommy

OK, that is crazy, my seat and base do not have anything like that.  Only the sticker.  There is nothing imprinted anywhere on the seat.  Thanks for letting me know, I guess I will be calling Graco for clarification.

vanillacourage

Are you set on getting an infant carrier, for taking the new baby in & out with ease?  If not, I'd get a new Graco Nautilus for your oldest child, put the second child in the 1st child's seat, and use the convertible your 2nd child is using for the new baby (if it can also be used for newborns).  You'll get much more use out of the new seat purchase that way, rather than buying another infant seat that you'll get a minimum of use out of.

emiliemadison

W&J'sMommy:

OK, that is crazy, my seat and base do not have anything like that.  Only the sticker.  There is nothing imprinted anywhere on the seat.  Thanks for letting me know, I guess I will be calling Graco for clarification.

They do, they might just be REALLY REALLY hard to see/find. I promise, they're there  

JOEBunny

Uhm... I have a 2006 graco safety seat.  Never occurred to me to check the exp.  I should DS rides in it.  I thought most have 5 years.. 

AnnapolisLari

I would use it, but then both of my kids were out of their infant seats at 4 months. They hated that thing, and frankly, I loathed carrying it around and was glad to see it go.

goodheartedmommy

If you indeed find it IS expired, I wouldn't use it, not one single time. It's not worth the money saved. Look on youtube for videos about expired carseats--scary stuff. Chances are the kid would be fine, but it's not a risk I'd be willing to take. The snugride 35 will last most kids (by height) to about 15-16 months.

GrowingFamily

I would definitely get the new SnugRide 35.  Those expiration dates are on there because the plastic starts breaking down & is not as safe. 

 We got the SnugRide 32 for our 4th child & he was in it until he was 14.5 mos old.  He was 9lbs, 9oz & 21.5" at birth (28lbs & 30" at his 1 year check up).  So, he was a big boy & we still got our money's worth out of that car seat!!  Even though he was pretty heavy to carry around in the infant seat, it was so worth it to me to be able to snap him in & out of the car with how many times I used it daily carting the 3 older kids around.  I also loved being able to set him down in it when we were inside buildings & not having to worry about having someone to hold him.  When you have 3 or more kids, you don't have the arms to be holding a baby all the time!  I swear if he could still fit in that thing, I'd have him in it, lol!!

 Get a new one, though, whichever seat you choose. This is the sort of thing you do NOT want to skimp on. 

darlene'smommy

From what I was told all Graco seats expire in dec of what ever year is on the seat.  So some seats have a 5 year some are 6 years.  But double check with Graco they may have changed that.  If you are using the seat before the month it expires then its fine to use it just get a new car seat by that date.