Infant seat question

bubbasloveshak

I have been reading that apparently infant seats have an expiration date.  My DD#1 was born in 2008 and we got her infant seat in 2007, so I am guessing that the manufacture date on it was at least 2007, does this mean I HAVE to get a new infant seat?  I have read that they expire 6 years from manufacture date, but does that mean that in the instance that the seat malfunctioned that I could not "sue" the maker of the seat?  

Tigerlilym15

Check your seat to be sure of the expiration date. They have those because over time the parts (especially the plastic) wear down and aren't as strong. Because of that they won't protect your child as well if there is an accident.

I'm sure you can sue but I don't know if you would win. If the seat manufacturer tells you the seat isn't safe after a certain point and you use it anyway that's your fault not theirs.

ebp913

If it's expired you need a new seat. Call the maunfacturer and they can tell you when it expires.  It varies by car seat.  A lot of times there is a sticker on the seat that says when it expires but if not, call.  

LittleApple

LauraT25:

1. If you use the seat against the manufacturer's instructions, they are not liable.  I would hope that lawsuit wouldn't even make it to court, but frivolous lawsuits often do.

2. You may want to re-think your priorities.   

bubbasloveshak

Wow...okay, clearly the way I asked my question came out wrong.  I have read that infant seats expire 6 years after manufacture date, however it was never clear to me what that meant for me as the consumer, for instance did it mean that the latch system wasn't safe, did it mean that the harness and such was not safe? I do not want to sue anyone, nor would I however the info that I have read never specified what about the seat was "unsafe" after 6 years, so I was trying to understand, which is why I asked my question about if it means that if god forbid something were to happen.  I have a lot of friends with multiple children and they all looked at me as if I was nuts when I mentioned probably needing a new seat, which I have every intention of getting, I just wanted to understand the real issue about what actually "expires" better.

 

gimmietimmies

bubbasloveshak:

Wow...okay, clearly the way I asked my question came out wrong. nbsp;I have read that infant seats expire 6 years after manufacture date, however it was never clear to me what that meant for me as the consumer, for instance did it mean that the latch system wasn't safe, did it mean that the harness and such was not safe? I do not want to sue anyone, nor would I however the info that I have read never specified what about the seat was "unsafe" after 6 years, so I was trying to understand, which is why I asked my question about if it means that if god forbid something were to happen. nbsp;I have a lot of friends with multiple children and they all looked at me as if I was nuts when I mentioned probably needing a new seat, which I have every intention of getting, I just wanted to understand the real issue about what actually "expires" better.nbsp;

Take a deep breath. Expiration dates have been in place for over a decade, this is why it's imperative that you read your manual from front to back, warnings especially. So, yes, that warning in your manual about discontinue use after xx years is for you, the consumer, for the safety of your child.
I bet your friends aren't aware that the current recommendation is to rear face to a minimum of age two, to the maximum of the seat.
So as to why they expire? Safety features and standards improve is the dirst reason. More importantly, plastic breaks down over time. Have you ever had an outdoor plastic lawn chair and have the plastic flake, break and crumble? All plastic breaks down. DH had an old car seat for training purposes that at the end got tossed because chunks of the shell were coming off. So yes, car seats should be replaced when they expire.

gimmietimmies

bubbasloveshak:

Wow...okay, clearly the way I asked my question came out wrong. nbsp;I have read that infant seats expire 6 years after manufacture date, however it was never clear to me what that meant for me as the consumer, for instance did it mean that the latch system wasn't safe, did it mean that the harness and such was not safe? I do not want to sue anyone, nor would I however the info that I have read never specified what about the seat was "unsafe" after 6 years, so I was trying to understand, which is why I asked my question about if it means that if god forbid something were to happen. nbsp;I have a lot of friends with multiple children and they all looked at me as if I was nuts when I mentioned probably needing a new seat, which I have every intention of getting, I just wanted to understand the real issue about what actually "expires" better.nbsp;

Take a deep breath. Expiration dates have been in place for over a decade, this is why it's imperative that you read your manual from front to back, warnings especially. So, yes, that warning in your manual about discontinue use after xx years is for you, the consumer, for the safety of your child.
I bet your friends aren't aware that the current recommendation is to rear face to a minimum of age two, to the maximum of the seat.
So as to why they expire? Safety features and standards improve is the dirst reason. More importantly, plastic breaks down over time. Have you ever had an outdoor plastic lawn chair and have the plastic flake, break and crumble? All plastic breaks down. DH had an old car seat for training purposes that at the end got tossed because chunks of the shell were coming off. So yes, car seats should be replaced when they expire.

notkateanymore

There should be a date on the seat. Find it and if it's past it, replace. The plastic breaks down over the years, just like a plastic cup gets cracks in it after being washed time and time again. Why risk it just to save a little?

bubbasloveshak

I have checked my seat, it does not have an expiration date but has a manufacture date of Jan 2007.  I called Chicco, as the manual for my seat does not say how long the seat is good for and they told me the rule of thumb is 6 years, so I now know that it needs to be replaced.

As far as the rear facing until 2 goes, I understand that and my friends are aware of that as well, however I have big babies that typically out grow the infant seat (my original was not a 30 lb seat) before they are 1.  So they are then rear facing in their convertible seats until either age 2 or their legs are so long that they are physically able to push off of the rear seat.  (As an example my 5 year old is almost 4 feet tall already and 55lbs and my 3 year old is 39 lbs and 40 inches tall). 

gimmietimmies

The Chicco Keyfit expires after six years.
I do get having tall kids and trying to find a seat to fit them rf longer (convertible) that doesn't break the bank. Mine are well at the top of the charts for height, my two year old is the same size as your three year old. Your three year old technically fits in a Radian R120/RXT or a Clek Foonf rf, but only shy one lb on the limit of a MySize. I would kick and scream at a parent not rf a 3 year old with those stats, if the seat was out of range price wise and actually be outgrown height wise quickly (44"/43" limits).
Pp is correct about the legs pushing up against the seat, not a safety issue. There are no documented cases of legs being broken rf but it is a common ff injury. As for comfort, lots of seats have quite a bit of leg room and kids normally sit bendy anyway, ever see a kid sitting with their legs straight out? They usually cross them, and if they were tall enough for leg room to be an issue they're old enough to complain. Mine doesnt.
While choosing to rf past two follows under parental decision (the AAP recommendation), the recommendation from the NHSTA to as close to age 4 as possible comes from accident stats and crash studies. A child's spine doesn't harden until sometime between age 3 and 4, meaning that their head, which is still a larger proportion to their body (1/4 as infant to 1/10 by the time they are fully grown) has more space to travel, up to 4", where the spinal cord only has 1/4 to 1/2" of give (internal decapitation). It's a common ff injury under age 4. Again, parental decision, but be informed.
If your in the market for a new seat, the Chicco is still a decent seat. If budget is a concern, look at a Cosco Comfy Carry Elite. It will only last you to about six months (22lb 29" limit), but gives you time to save for a decent convertible. With you other kids stats I'd be looking for a Radian R120 on sale, it would fit well with two other seats in the car too.