There is a lot of confusion when it comes to when your baby should be out of an infant car seat. Infant car seats have been around for decades, but there are still many people who don’t know when they need to change from an infant car seat to a convertible or booster seat.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss when you should stop using an infant car seat and when you need to move on to something else.
When Is My Baby Too Big For Infant Car Seat?
Infant car seats are designed to carry babies up to 22 pounds or 30 inches in height. Once your baby has exceeded these limits it is time for a convertible car seat, which will allow the child to sit rear-facing and face forward as he/she grows older.
Many parents make the mistake of keeping their children in an infant carrier too long because that’s what they are used to using.
However, doing so could place your child at risk of injury if you were ever involved in a serious accident while traveling with them. At some point, soon after birth, most babies have outgrown their infant carriers by weight or height requirements.
The American Academy Of Pediatrics recommends “keeping infants rear-facing until age two OR until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of their convertible car seat.” Keep your child safe and choose the right car seat.
How Do You Know When A Baby Is Too Big For Car Seat?
In many states, a baby has to be in a rear-facing car seat until they are two years old. If the child is more than 20 pounds and less than 30 inches tall then it may be time for your little one to graduate from his or her infant carrier.
Look at the side of the seat you have been using to see if there are height and weight limits that should guide when you need an upgrade.
Also, keep in mind how much room your baby takes up on their own because this will affect whether he or she fits properly into a larger size car seat shell with harnesses adjusted accordingly.
How Long Do Babies Stay In The First Car Seat?
Babies will stay in a car seat until they are around 12 months old. At that point, the American Academy of Pediatrics says you should transition to an infant-only or convertible car seat.
When deciding between these two options, it is important to consider where your child falls on the charts for height and weight.
If your baby’s legs are hanging over the edge of their infant carrier by more than three inches, then you have outgrown this option at about six months old.
You can also check if your baby still has his/her head above the top harness slot as well – if so, there may be no need to buy another one yet.
What Is The Maximum Height For A Car Seat?
The maximum height for a car seat is 23 inches. Some seats are adjustable, so the minimum and maximum heights will be different depending on how it is set.
What Age Can A Child Use A Backless Booster?
A child can use a backless booster from the ages of four to eight years old. At this age, they are mature enough to sit properly and listen well during car rides without making too much noise or talking constantly.
It is important for parents to make sure their children stay seated in the right position no matter how long it takes them because safety should always come first.
What Is The Weight Limit For 5-Point Harness?
The weight limit for a five-point harness is 80 pounds. The severity of your crash could also affect the number and size of injuries sustained by you or any passengers in your vehicle.
How Long Should A Child Be In A 5-Point Harness?
A child should not stay in a five-point harness for more than two years or until they reach the top height and weight limit allowed by their car seat.
After that, it is time to switch into a booster seat with just a belt instead of the car’s specific harness system.
The average age at which children are ready to graduate from the booster seats is eight years old while some states have laws requiring them to be up to ten years old before driving without one.
This all depends on how tall your child measures compared with their age since this will determine what type of restraint needs to be used next when moving out of these increasingly larger types of safety restraints.
How Long Should Kids Use 5-Point Harness?
A child should use a five-point harness until they are 40 lbs. or about four years old, which is the typical age when kids outgrow their car seat altogether and graduate to booster seats.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be moved into booster seats as soon as possible after they turn eight years old.
At this point in time, some states still require them to ride in five-point harnesses for another year or two but it’s not necessary from a safety standpoint.
When you think your little one has hit at least 80 pounds and cannot fit comfortably within the weight limits of an appropriate combination seat (which also includes height minimums), then it’s probably time for you to invest in a belt-positioning booster seat.