Infant seat vs. Convertible seat. . .safety?

Re: Infant seat vs. Convertible seat. . .safety?

• Bridgetkaryn member

  January 2010

  I am not sure about safety wise, but I know from being a nanny that not having to wake up a baby when moving him/her from the car to some where else was PRICELESS...
  

  

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• l_elizabeth member

  January 2010

  From everything I've read, it's sort of unclear if they are actually safer. They may be though, which is good enough reason for most people. The theory is that infant seats are designed for infants- so they are smaller, more cushion-y, and they are at more of a recline (therefore providing better head/neck support). I don't know if there is actual research out there, but this is what I've heard. But as pp said, it's more about the convenience of being able to let a sleeping baby sleep, and just take the infant carseat out of the car vs. trying to transport LO into a stroller/sling/whatever you have. The extra $100 doesn't seem like that big of a deal when you look at convenience, and the fact that they could be safer.

  If you really think you won't use it as a carrier, just go with a convertible carseat. There's nothing wrong with that.

  

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• mrs_sisco

  January 2010

  We are getting both just out of convenience...we will be using the Infant one for the first couple of months to go to doctor's appointments and shopping, and then switch to the convertible.

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• mitchelltheojua

  January 2010

  l_elizabeth:

  From everything I've read, it's sort of unclear if they are actually safer. They may be though, which is good enough reason for most people. The theory is that infant seats are designed for infants- so they are smaller, more cushion-y, and they are at more of a recline (therefore providing better head/neck support). I don't know if there is actual research out there, but this is what I've heard. But as pp said, it's more about the convenience of being able to let a sleeping baby sleep, and just take the infant carseat out of the car vs. trying to transport LO into a stroller/sling/whatever you have. The extra $100 doesn't seem like that big of a deal when you look at convenience, and the fact that they could be safer.

  If you really think you won't use it as a carrier, just go with a convertible carseat. There's nothing wrong with that.

  I've consistently heard the same thing ... if you think about it, it makes sense ... we went with an infant seat ... after everything that I've read, just felt more comfortable ... obviously a convertable seat is more economical but we went with the infant seat

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• Aliliv member

  January 2010

  It really depends on the newborn:  size, strength, etc.  Convertibles don't always fit newborns well.  Here is a link that discuss it further:

  https://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/travel/auto.html#

  The most important thing is fit.   As long as the convertible seat you choose has a really low harness height (the strap should be exactly at or below - NOT above - the newborn shoulders) is probably would be fine.    Another issue with convertibles, is that they sometimes do not come with head supports and aftermarket headsupports are not a good idea, simply because they have NOT been tested with all carseats (and certainly not be the manufacturer).    Infant seats are easy because they pretty much will fit all newborns, whereas not all convertibles do.  If I happen upon anything else I'll post it here.

  Edit: Here's another site that compares the two options:

  https://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/travel/auto.html#

  I definitely wouldn't spend a ton on one.  Graco makes good infant carseat and they are not overly expensive.     At least then you know that even if you have a small baby, your carseat will fit the baby securely.    But, if you know you're having a bigger baby a convertible will probably fit alright.   My girls would never have fit a convertible well when they were first born (we have Britax Marathons - love them!).

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• Brina Bean

  January 2010

  I think an infant seat is more about convenience than anything else.  I wouldn't spend much on one.  Also, the infant seats with higher weight limits aren't necessarily better if you have a smaller build and will only be able to carry it for so long anyway.

  Moved to Maple Valley, Washington January 2012
  
  

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• Hip2Bsquare

  January 2010

  The BB book states that either one is not necessarily safer than the other. It's all preference.
  

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