However, with so many choices of car seats and unclear, ever changing guidelines I worry that some parents will change their child’s car seat too soon. When the baby gets heavy in the carrier, or their toes are hitting everything as you walk by, there is no reason to keep them in the infant carrier (except maybe convenience of portability). Many convertible car seats can be used rear facing and forward facing. Just because you move the baby to a bigger seat, certainly does not mean to put the seat forward facing if they are not ready.
Many of the child car seats on the market can be used Rear Facing from as little as 5 pounds and to as high as 35 or 40 pounds. Check the sticker on the side of your child car seat or the instruction manual. It is a good idea to keep the instruction manual either attached to the back of the car seat or in your car, so it is available for easy reference. I’ve made that mistake and been asked at a car seat safety check if I have my manual and I did not. I’ve found that I had questions about where to put the top tether and I’ve had to dig around in the file cabinet to find the instruction manual.
So, you may ask, my baby is always so unhappy in the car and hates to be rear facing. Unfortunately, this does happen, but perhaps the baby would be happier in a larger seat. The right seat is the one that fits properly in your car, is easy for you to use and meets the height and weight requirements or your child.
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