Convertible Car Seats

I'm thinking about buying convertible car seats when my twins turn 5 months old in a few weeks. They have excellent head control and almost sit up on their own, and they're extremely unhappy when in their infant seats. They scream and fuss until I take them out. They also have severe acid reflux and need to sit up a bit more than they in the infant seats. I know this topic can become controverial and I'm not trying to start a debate over when babies should be switched, I'm only looking for other parents who have switched early on, and why you did it.

 

I switched my girls into their convertible car seats at 5 months old (2 months adjusted). They HATED their infant carriers, and unfortunately we take a lot of long car rides and it was miserable. Switching them made all the difference in the world! We went with the Britax Marathon seats, and had no problems. It is more work on your end though until they become more mobile, because its not as convenient to just pop them in and out and carry them around. To me, it was worth it to have them happy in the car. GL!!

 

I switched ds at 4 months because he outgrew it. DD1 didn't outgrow it until 13 months so she was in it till then (and rfacing until this summer at almost 2 1/2). These babies are barely even over the LOWEST wt requirement so they'll be in them for a long time. I do plan on switching as soon as I can, though, due to their reflux issues as well--I understand!

 

We switched when the girls were 5 months old. They were getting too heavy to carry around in the Safeseats. After a lot of research, it was between the Marathons or TrueFits. I found a great deal on The First Years TrueFit seats, so we bought those and have been very happy with them.

 

Most of the time you can use convertable seats from birth. I just found that infant carriers are more conveniant! I switched Evan when he outgrew his infant one.. I think he was about 6-7 months old.

 

I think my two were between 5 & 6 months old when we switched them.

 

I thought we did it early but guess not they still had room in the infant seats, but seemed to want to sit up more. So we switched at 10 months. Although I REALLY miss the ease of the infant seats. And trying to load and unload them both when you are by yourself is tough. Especially since we cant park in our garage at the moment.

 

we switched at 9 months and they're so much happier in their convertible seats. they fussed in the car on every outing in their infant carriers. now they laugh and play with their feet and it's a much happier situation for all of us.

 

At 10 months. Not because they outgrew them or hated them, but because they got too heavy to carry.

 

DITTO!

 

I switched the twins around 8 months when they were able to sit up well.

 

I think we switched between 6-7 months. It wasn't too long ago. DS was really outgrowing his seat and they were getting SO heavy to carry. I love the convertible car seats. They seem like they have more room and are happier. The one thing I do miss though is the Snap N Go! I loved that thing!

 

We just started using ours... the infant seats were way too heavy and I also found a great deal on Marathons so I ordered them "early" although I'm sure my girls aren't too far from the 22 lb limit.

 

I dont think its switching them that is controversial. Babies can ride in a convertible from birth if desired which is totally fine and many people do it if they dont care to use the infants eat as a carrier.
Its turning them forward facing thats controversial b/c Rear facing is safer for as long as possible. Are you saying you just want to switch to conv or switch and turn them?? I would wait until the max of the convertible seat to turn them ff, which is usually 35 lbs. We are switching them now at 7 months b/c they are 20 lbs and I cant carry them anymore really. The convertibles are much more roomy and comfy b/c I have chubby kids and the seats RF till 40 lbs.

 

I switched to convertibles at 6 months when they were too long for the carriers. I wish they could have stayed in their carriers longer. . .

But like PP mentioned, convertible seats can be used from birth, as long as they're rear facing.

 

We switched at 6 months. They were surpassing the weight limit.

 

We switched around 5 months b/c they were exceeding the height/length requirements. We were also using older infant carriers (given to us) and I wasn't comfortable with them any longer. I have loved the convertible seats. We are still rear facing as the boys are just now 23 and 25lbs.

 

We just switched the girls to convertible seats this week but they didn't seem to mind the Infant Seats so we just left them in them. (we had the bigger Graco seats that go up to 32lbs).

As long as you keep them rear-facing and they are within the height and weight limits then it's perfectly fine to switch them.

 

We used convertibles from birth and stayed rear-facing with them until they were at the height limit.

 

Actually, we just did this weekend. They are both 27 1/2 inches long & getting too long for the SnapNGo Infant Seats

 

I switched them at 3 months, they were too heavy for me to carry around in the infant seats already and it made it easier for my older kids to get into the back seat by crawling under the convertible than it was the infant (still rear facing but the convertible back is much taller than the infant seats). The babes are much happier riding around now and still fall asleep easily, and it's not too bad transferring them to the stroller while asleep.

I have one britax marathon (for ds) and one graco comfortsport (for dd). I'll be getting a girly marathon for dd in about a month when my friend brings me her extra one from indiana! :wub: