car seat confusion

im so confused.

my ds has almost outgrown his infant car carrier.

what do i need after this stage? if he meets the weight & height requirement does he need the rear facing car seat still? because some of the ones ive looked at say they can rear face/forward face and im not sure what the "rules" are for rear facing vs. forward facing.

also - which would you recommend?

thanks

Re: car seat confusion

AM is almost out of her infant car seat

I got the Britax Marathon and I plan on keeping it rear facing until she is two years old (which is the new guideline)

Re: car seat confusion

We have a Britax Marathon for our main car, and a Graco Comfortsport for DH's car.

Both rear facing until he was about 18 months - but now the guidelines are until 2.

Re: car seat confusion

Rear facing till a minimum of 1 year. they now have rec's of keeping them rear facing till 2 years but it is only recommendations.

If your unsure i would discuss it with your ped since they know your child and their development and why the recommendations are what they are.

Re: car seat confusion

The recommendation use to be 1 year AND 20 pounds for rear facing. Now they recommend 2 years or the rear facing limit of your car seat. We have the First Years True Fit. It rear faces up to 35 pounds and then forward faces up to 65 pounds. DS is almost 18 months old and weighs about 25 pounds and he is still rear facing. Go to BRU or BBB and check out some seats...

Re: car seat confusion

Ds reached 30" at around 6m, that's when we retired the infant seat. He's been rearfacing in Graco MyRide 65 since, he's 13m now.

Re: car seat confusion

If you go by the new recommendations, he needs to go in a rear facing convertible seat. The guidelines say all DC should be rear facing until at least 2.

We have our DD in a Britax Roundabout in one car rear facing and a Britax Marathon in another car rear facing.

Both of these car seats will be turned forward facing after she is allowed to turn around.

Re: car seat confusion

you can get a convertible car seat that can be rear facing and front facing.

Re: car seat confusion

Go to BRU/BBB and play with seats.

Look for tall harnesses (not tall seats, some seats are tall but they may not accomodate a child to 2), higher wegiht limits 35lbs RF/65FF

Some to look at include

Sunshine Kids Radian
Britax Marathon/Boulevard/Advocate
Evenflo Triumph 65/symphony
Graco MyRide
First Years True Fit
Safety 1st Complete Air
Cosco Scenera (Target version, RF to 40lbs)

Children should remain RF until 2 yrs old or until they outgrow their convertible seat by height or weight (height is outgrown if there is less than 1" of hard shell above the child's head) Just like in the infant carrier, harness should be at or below shoulders.