when to move to convertible car seat

[SanCecilia]

The best time to move your child to a convertible car seat is when they outgrow their infant car seat's limits, which is typically around 1 year of age. However, the most critical factors are your child's specific height and weight. Convertible seats are designed to be used rear-facing first, which is the safest position for as long as possible.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Many modern convertible seats support rear-facing for children up to 40, 45, or even 50 pounds. This means many children can safely remain rear-facing until they are 2, 3, or even 4 years old.

You'll know it's time to switch from the infant seat when your child's head is less than an inch from the top of the shell or they exceed the weight limit (often 30-35 pounds). The move to a convertible seat is a major step, but the priority should always be maximizing the safety of the rear-facing position.

Key Metric	Infant Car Seat (Typical Limit)	Convertible Car Seat (Rear-Facing Mode)
Minimum Weight	4-5 lbs	5 lbs
Maximum Weight	30-35 lbs	40-50 lbs
Height Limit	Head within 1" of top	Specific to model, check shell height
Typical Age Range	Birth to 9-18 months	Birth up to 3-4 years

[DeMaya]

Basically, you switch when the baby gets too big for the infant carrier. Check the labels on your seat for the height and weight limits. The big rule now is to keep them rear-facing in the new convertible seat for much longer than people used to—like until they’re two, three, or four. It’s all about keeping their spine safer. If you’re unsure, many fire stations or hospitals offer free car seat safety checks.