Car Seat Question - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

LauraLu · 04-10-2008, 06:41 PM

My soon to be mother in law thinks that our daughter is too big for her infant seat. I told her that it has to last until her birthday in July because I'm not shedding out more money for a new seat until then.
My daughter is about 21 lbs and her little feet hang over the seat (so...she's a big girl for 8 months!).
I know that car seats must face the rear until baby reaches 20 lbs and one year (not one or the other). So, do I need to step it up and just purchase a bigger one or can I still use the infant seat I have? We just sprung for the extra base a couple of months ago! I really don't want to get another set of seats yet!
I looked up the details online (we have the Graco Snug Ride travel system by Metrolite). It says they're good up to 40 lbs, but it doesn't specify height. Any thoughts? I guess this isn't a health question but more of a safety question. Thanks in advance!

WhiskersOnKittens · 04-10-2008, 07:08 PM

Hm, that's strange that it doesn't tell you a height. I would say though, that if it's good up to 40 lbs, it's probably ok to at least 32 inches I would think. I know the infant seat I had was only good to 22 lbs and 29 inches. And my sister just had to buy another one for her almost 9 mo ds (who's about 23 lbs), and that one is good up to 33 lbs (I believe), and 32 inches. We decided to buy the 3 in 1 carseat/booster before he reached 22 lbs though, because I just hated carting that heavy infant seat around, and we knew it wouldn't be long before we needed a new one anyway. So we had to shell out a bit extra for the fact that it is rear facing as well, but to me it was worth it.
Maybe call the company though, and double check about the height. I can't really see them saying 40 lbs and anything less than 32 inches. Good luck!

Whiskers

LauraLu · 04-10-2008, 07:28 PM

Hi Whiskers, Thanks for the reply! I goofed! I was reading the stroller description and not the car seat description...mommy brain.
The car seat is up to 22 lbs and 29". So, not to ask a dumb question, but if my child reaches both these things before the age of one, do I need to buy another seat?? I'm so confused. What if she weighs more than 22 lbs but is shorter than 29"? Sorry to be so silly about the whole thing...I just don't know. Thanks!

Tiff24 · 04-10-2008, 08:45 PM

"So, not to ask a dumb question, but if my child reaches both these things before the age of one, do I need to buy another seat?? I'm so confused. What if she weighs more than 22 lbs but is shorter than 29"?"

There's no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to our babies!

To answer your question though, I think it's one or the other. If she's reached the weight limit but not the height limit (or visa-versa), it's time for a new seat. We bought a convertible car seat when our son was 7 or 8 months. It can be put rear facing 'til a year and then be switched to forward facing. I would highly recommend one like that. They last quite awhile, I think our's goes to 40 lbs. Aden is now 14.5 months and he just loves it.

WhiskersOnKittens · 04-10-2008, 10:13 PM

Hey Laura,

I agree with Tiff--I think it's whatever comes first--either 22lbs or 29". That was the same as mine. So what you'll need to do when she reaches either one of those is (if you have your own vehicle, and don't need to be taking the seat in and out) get a 3 in 1 seat. We got ours at wal-mart and they're a bit pricey (I live in Canada, and it was about $150) but you can use it as a rear facing seat (from 5lbs), to front facing, to a booster. And I think the maximum weight is something like 45lbs. If you don't own your own vehicle you'll probably have to get a bigger version of what you have now (which is what my sister had to do), and then when she's a year, get yet ANOTHER seat that will be front facing. They're not kidding when they say babies are expensive!!

Whiskers