How Long Infant Car Seat Can Be Used? [Explained]

An infant car seat is ready to secure your baby and also provide maximum comfort. But, you can’t use an infant car seat for all babies’ ages. You have to be careful to choose an infant car seat. For example, age, weight, and height are important factors to measure the car seat for your baby.

So, how long infant car seat can be used? When the babies age up to 6 months to 2 years and weigh 9-18kg (20-40lb), you can go for an infant car seat. Moreover, a child’s height should be 30 to 32 inches for using an infant car seat.

These are the major points which help you to get the answer. From this content, you will discover detailed answers so that you will get a complete idea about using the infant car seat.

What Is Infant Car Seat?

An infant car seat is a type of car seat that is designed for babies from birth until they reach around 35 pounds. An infant car seat is also used for 9 months to 2-year-old babies.

Parents used infants for their kids to switch their kids to a larger convertible. Moreover, infants also ensure comfort, safety, and perfect fittings for 9-month-old to 2-year-old babies.

Infant car seats are unique, usually rear-facing, and come with three to five-point harnesses. Moreover, they also come with two straps that secure your baby’s shoulders and provide the baby with strong safety.

But, the question is how long infant car seat should you choose for your baby? Let’s check out the following section to get an accurate answer.

The infant car seat is suitable for up to 22 to 35 pounds and 26 to 35 inches. Though it depends on the infant car seat models, the standard height is 26 to 35 inches, and the standard weight is 22 to 35 pounds.

Moreover, the infant car seat is suitable for children only. This type of seat is also suitable for a maximum of 2-year-old babies. Overall, the height limit is 35 inches, and the weight limit is 35 pounds for the babies.

Source: healthychildren

How Long Infant Car Seat Can Be Used?

Typically, parents choose an infant car seat for their baby when the baby is between 9 months to 2 years. Some experts also believe an infant car seat is good enough for a 6-month-old baby.

If you want to measure your baby’s age when choosing an infant car seat, you need to consider your baby’s weight and other factors. For example, a 9-month-old baby will easily adjust to the infant seat.

On the other hand, a 2-year-old kid is also perfect for an infant seat. So, what about the baby’s weight? You can go for an infant car seat when your baby is 9-18kg (20-40lb).

Of course, a nine-month to 2-year-old baby needs more comfort and security. From an infant car seat, you will discover 2 straps that securely hold the baby’s shoulder.

You can go for an infant car seat when the following points are matched properly. Note that I made the following points based on my experience and included 4 existing users’ experiences.

• Babies age should be up to 6 months
• Weight should be 9-18kg (20-40lb)
• The seats should always be rear-facing
• The height should be 30 to 32 inches

When to Change Car Seats for Children?

It is true that you can’t use a car seat all the time for your children because children grow up and also change their weight and height, which are the indicators that you need to change the children.

For example, a 2-month-old and a 1-year-old baby can’t use the same car seat. So, when should you change the car seats for your children? Let me explain.

There are three different types of car seats on the market for children. Based on the children’s age, weight, and other factors, you can change the car seats for your children.

Infant Car Seat

Infant car seats are a more popular choice for newborn babies. This car seat is used for rear-facing. Parents also easily remove infant car seats from their base with the click of a button.

You can go for an infant car seat when your children are 6 months to 2 years old. It would help if you kept in mind the weight level of your children. 9 to 18 Kg weight is perfect for an infant seat.

Another great advantage of a parent is a travel-friendly feature. Travel system generally includes a car seat and stroller, which are truly competitive.

On the other hand, parents can remove the car seat when their babies sleep in the car. The parents need to remove the babies from the car seat when sleeping.

An infant car seat is only suitable for a rear-facing system because it helps the kid to protect their head and neck and ensures comfort.

In my experience, a rear-facing infant car seat provides more comfort and benefits than a front-facing infant car seat. These main reasons help you understand why you should keep your infant car seat rear-facing.

Convertible Car Seat

A convertible car seat is also called a toddler seat or all-in-one car seat. It has five five-point harnesses designed for both backward and forward in the car. Children should ride rear-facing on the convertible car seat until they reach out maximum rear.

A convertible car seat is one of the best selections for babies that age up to 4 years. The British Medical Journal concluded in 2009 that a child is safer riding on a convertible seat until age 4.

Moreover, height and weight are also important for using a convertible car seat. A baby’s height should be 49 inches, and the weight of a baby should be 65 pounds.

Unlike infant car seats, parents use convertible car seats in the rear-facing first year, and then they use forward-facing to provide the babies maximum comfort and security.

Most of the convertible car seats are installed without using a base. It means a convertible car seat must be carried to and from the car.

Note the convertible car seat is larger than the infant car seat. So, you must remember how your kid fits with a convertible car seat. Before using a convertible car seat, you should focus on the kid’s height, age, and weight.

Booster Seat

Before you move a booster seat, you should check out the following factors. So, let’s break them down without much delay.

• A child should weigh up to 40 pounds
• The height should be 38 to 40 inches tall
• The age of a child must be 4-years old
• A child should be able to understand to still sit in the car

A booster seat is suitable for babies who have already used a point harness. According to APP (American Academy of Pediatrics), parents should wait to switch their kids until the age of 5.

Moreover, babies also need to understand the seat using to use of a booster seat. The seat belt of a booster seat is not ready to protect your kids deeply if they are not in the right position on a booster seat.

Typically, your children are ready to switch to a booster seat when they have outgrown the height and the weight. It is important for a parent to keep in mind the baby’s age and need to understand their mind to use a booster seat properly.

A booster seat is undoubtedly ready to provide more comfort when the baby’s age and weight increase. So, monitor your baby’s age and weight before switching to a booster seat for your baby.

When Do You Change Car Seats to Front-Facing?

While the kids are 1-year old and weigh at least 20 pounds, you can change the car seats to front-facing. You have to focus on your kid’s age and weight to come into the front-facing seat.

Unlike infant car seats, a front-facing car seat should come with at least 1-year age and a minimum weight of 20 pounds. A front-facing car seat is ready to provide maximum comfort and helps your kid get maximum safety.

On the other hand, you will also contact the front-facing car seat manufacturer to know the weight limit and the age of the children. According to my experience, 1-year age and 20-pound weight are perfect for changing the car seats to front-facing.

When Is My Baby Too Big for Infant Car Seat?

The car seats always play a vital role for the kids, especially when your kids age below 2 years. So, when is your baby perfect for an infant car seat? After checking out some measurements, you can easily tell when your baby is perfect for an infant car seat.

First, your baby’s age should be above 6 months. A 9-month-old baby is an idol for infant car seats. On the other hand, if the baby’s age is above 2 years, you can go for a convertible seat.

Secondly, the baby’s height should be 30 to 32 inches. An infant car seat is ready to provide maximum comfort and security when the height comes 30 to 32 inches.

Third, when your baby’s weight 9-18kg (20-40lb), it is the perfect time for you to choose an infant car seat. So, you can keep in mind these 3-factors to measure whether your baby is perfect for an infant car seat or not.

How to Tell If My Infant Car Seat Needs to Change?

Before changing the infant car seat, you should check out the following points because they help you understand whether you need to change your car seat.

• If the baby’s age goes up to 2-years
• The weight is increasing as well as the height
• If your baby feels discomfort
• You should change the infant car seat when you need more security

Keep in mind these factors before changing your infant car seat. You can also contact an infant car seat manufacturer to get a clear concept.

Safety Tips to Use Infant Car Seat

Undoubtedly, the infant car seat is ready to provide enough security, but you have to follow some principles to use the infant car seat properly.

Note I collected these safety tips from some existing users and also included my own experience. Moreover, I also collected tips and tricks from infant car seat manufacturers.

• Don’t switch your infant car seat when your babies are aged between 6 months and 2 2-years
• Install the seat tightly so that your baby doesn’t move a lot
• Use seat belt properly to provide your baby with strong safety
• Ensure that your baby gets neck and head protection properly
• It is best to keep your child rear-facing

These safety tips and tricks help you a lot to travel safely with your baby. If you are using an infant car seat, you need to use trip properly to provide the kids strong safety.

On the other hand, you should read the user manual and user guide after purchasing the infant car seat because you will get step-by-step guidelines to use the car seat as well as install the car seat.

FAQs (Frequently Ask Questions)

Q: How long can baby be in car seat 3 months?

Answer: A 3-month-old baby can be seated for 2 hours on a car seat. The time is still being determined. It depends on the baby’s comfort and the type of seats. But, the average time of a 3-month-old baby using a car seat is 2 hours.

Q: Is car seat safe for newborn spine?

Answer: A car seat is safe for a newborn spine without any doubts. A car seat is ready to save your baby’s head, neck, and spine. Moreover, it is also ready to provide maximum comfort for your baby and also provide maximum security.

Q: When can a child use a booster seat?

Answer: When the kid’s age minimum of 4-years old and the weight minimum is 15-kg, you can choose a booster seat for the children. Moreover, the children should understand how to sit in the car and stay safely there.

Wrapping Up!

How long infant car seat can be used? It depends on your baby’s age, weight, height, and some other factors. If you want to consider an infant car seat, your baby should be a minimum of 6 months old, and the weight should be 9-18kg (20-40lb). Keep in mind these factors before using an infant car seat.

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