Stupid convertible car seat questions

ChristyML · June 2013

We are needing to get DS a convertible car seat. I have a few that I like, but I really do not want to have to buy a million more car seats, so I want to get a high limit of weight.

Onto the stupid questions....how old can he be in a car seat? If I get a 70 pound limit, and DS turns 3 years old, and still need a bit of a boost, can he still sit in the car seat? Or do I have to get a booster (the kind that just raises them up a little higher so the belt will go over properly)? Can I keep the 5 point harness on a 3 year old?

My thought was that if I bought a high limit of weight (70-100 pounds) then I didn't have to buy anymore car seats/boosters....am I thinking wrong?

kjsmith9 · June 2013

There isn't an age limit on car seats... Everything is based on weight and height. You can keep a child in their convertible for well past 3 years old! I didn't want to buy more seats either, which is why I got a diono radian r120... We'll keep her rear facing as long as possible, and then let her use it as a booster until she can sit in the regular car seatbelt safely.

alake · June 2013

My 50 pound tall seven year old, still rides in a harnessed car seat. She uses a booster when we travel (We are in Canada now, from Florida). She prefers her harnessed car seat over booster seat. It is recommended that a child under forty pounds should not be boostered. That being said a child shouldn't use a booster until they are mature enough to sit in one, which happens anywhere between five and seven years. They need to be able to hold the position.

LSU628 · June 2013

I'd buy a carseat based upon your child's build. If your child is taller, you'll want to find one that is adjustable or has a higher height limit. Or if your child is heavier weight wise, you'd want a carseat with a higher weight limit. My almost 4 yr old DD is 27lbs so she will be able to ride in her Britax Marathon 80 forever!!

minervacullen · June 2013

Fb has a group called Car Seats for the Littles. If you join and post your question a tech can help you decide which is best based on size of baby, car, budget. Also remember you need to rearface until as close to 4 as the seat will allow. If your family is tall you'd need one with a higher shell. Most kids out grow their seats by height way before weight.

minervacullen · June 2013

Facebook has a group called Car Seats for the Littles. If you join and post your question a tech can help you decide which is best based on size of baby, car, budget. Also remember you need to rearface until as close to 4 as the seat will allow. If your family is tall you'd need one with a higher shell. Most kids out grow their seats by height way before weight.

minervacullen · June 2013

Ugh meant to edit and it did that, sorry!

jobiann · June 2013

minervacullen:
Fb has a group called Car Seats for the Littles. If you join and post your question a tech can help you decide which is best based on size of baby, car, budget. Also remember you need to rearface until as close to 4 as the seat will allow. If your family is tall you'd need one with a higher shell. Most kids out grow their seats by height way before weight.

I was just going to recommend this group. It is an awesome resource. Someone posts every 5 minutes, so turn off your notifications if you want otherwise your news feed will blow up. I personally like it in my news feed, usually things I have not thought of are brought to my attention.

minervacullen · June 2013

jobiann:
minervacullen:
Fb has a group called Car Seats for the Littles. If you join and post your question a tech can help you decide which is best based on size of baby, car, budget. Also remember you need to rearface until as close to 4 as the seat will allow. If your family is tall you'd need one with a higher shell. Most kids out grow their seats by height way before weight.
I was just going to recommend this group. It is an awesome resource. Someone posts every 5 minutes, so turn off your notifications if you want otherwise your news feed will blow up. I personally like it in my news feed, usually things I have not thought of are brought to my attention. 

I like the posts too. I learn a ton reading them.

opaque1997 · June 2013

Ok - FB group for the littles or car-seat.org are both awesome places but I'd like to give you a few basics because it sounds like you may not know a few things others have taught me / I've learned along the way.

1) 90% of carseats are outgrown in height before weight. Britax seats especially - but even the diono seats. Some of those seats go to 70-80 pounds - really I know 13 year olds that are just hitting that weight - so that makes sense.

2) Kids should be in a "carseat" until they are able to sit up straight reliably and also listen and follow instructions on how to sit right and keep the seatbelt right. This also means they need to be the right weight / height for a seatbelt with or without a booster - this is often not until 4-6 years old. (3 is way too young for a booster)

3) you cannot fudge a carseat weight or height limit. Rear facing seats GENERALLY (each seat is different and you need to read your manual but - generally) are outgrown rear facing (other then then the infant seats all of them turn around to forward facing) when the child's head is 1 inch from the top of the seat.

4) Most seats forward facing are outgrown about the time the head reaches the top of the seat.. I know several seats including the diono that allow for them to be used until the seat is at mid ear level - but it really depends on the seat.

5) Straps should be below the shoulders rear facing, above the shoulders forward facing (some seats like the radian allow straps to fall below the shoulders when forward facing at a certain height)

the RIGHT seat for you and BEST seat is always going to be the one that fits yor child, your car and your budget. All seats pass the same safety standards - that said some seats are designed to fit children better then others. As you can see there is a lot to consider - so do a little research you are right to ask questions now to avoid the 400 carseat purchases

ChristyML · June 2013

Wow! Thanks for all of the info everyone! I didn't think there was much more to consider...

Another question though....

I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name (like a Britax 70) meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.

opaque1997 · June 2013

Maybe:

I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name (like a Britax 70) meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.

but I've never heard that

minervacullen · June 2013

opaque1997:
Maybe:I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name like a Britax 70 meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.nbsp;nbsp;but I've never heard thatnbsp;

The 70 is weight forward facing.

minervacullen · June 2013

minervacullen:
opaque1997:
Maybe:I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name like a Britax 70 meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.nbsp;nbsp;but I've never heard thatnbsp;

The 70 is weight forward facing.

Also 70 inches is nearly 6 feet.

ChristyML · June 2013

minervacullen:
minervacullen:
opaque1997:
Maybe:I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name like a Britax 70 meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.nbsp;nbsp;but I've never heard thatnbsp;
The 70 is weight forward facing.
Also 70 inches is nearly 6 feet.

I know, I was just hoping they were extremely covering their bases haha...:(

SingleMom31 · June 2013

ChristyML:
minervacullen:
minervacullen:
opaque1997:
Maybe:I thought that a car seat that had a number in it's name like a Britax 70 meant BOTH 70 pounds and inches...I guess I'll just have to look closer at the specs.nbsp;nbsp;but I've never heard thatnbsp;

The 70 is weight forward facing.

Also 70 inches is nearly 6 feet.
I know, I was just hoping they were extremely covering their bases haha...:( 

We have a Britax... It's 70 lbs but only 49 inches. Still though, that's a bit over 4 feet. I figure that plus a booster eventually will do the trick.

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