![]() ![]() Q: What are the advantages of a convertible car seat?Ī: Financial, convenience, and ease of use. But they can opt to do so sooner, even from infancy, as long as the convertible seat is rated safe for their child's height and weight. Q: What age is good for a convertible car seat?Ī: Parents using an infant seat generally switch their kids to a convertible car seat anywhere between nine months and two years old, depending on their child's size. With the right convertible, parents could theoretically use one car seat for as long as their child needs one. Rather, convertible car seats are intended to "grow" with your child, from infancy through big-kid status. If you're ever unsure about any car seat or its operation, construction, or safety, Good Housekeeping says you should assume the worst and replace it.Ī: No, it's not a car seat for convertibles. The lab is clear on this point: Never use an expired car seat or one that's been in an accident. If you are planning on using the same seat for many years or for multiple children, take note of the recommended usage. Plus, newer test standards are introduced over time to help ensure better safety. Over time, the materials in a car seat can compress or get worn down, so all convertible car seats are stamped with an expiration date. A no-rethread harness will allow you to easily make seat adjustments without requiring you to reconfigure the seatbelt. Since a convertible car seat can see your child from newborn to big kid, look for one that can "grow" with them with multi-position headrest and recline options, Good Housekeeping says. The GHI recommends looking for models with removable, machine-washable seat padding and covers. ![]() ![]() Ease of cleaningĬonvertible car seats are meant to last for many years, so finding one that's easy to clean can save a lot of hassle. Also, note the retailer's return policy before purchase, just in case the size doesn't work out. They recommend you measure the available space in your vehicle's back seat before deciding which car seat to buy. The folks at Good Housekeeping have seen a lot of returned car seats, simply because they won't fit in some back seats. The Institute suggests hiring a professional if you need help. If your vehicle is not compatible with LATCH, then you'll likely install your car seat using your vehicle's seatbelt. Many seats are compatible with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), an easy-to-use system of attachment points in your vehicle that the car seat attaches to. ![]() Installing a car seat correctly is crucial for safety purposes, but it can take a lot of strength to properly secure a seat. Good Housekeeping recommends you be sure your car seat is set up according to your child's current height and weight and that you maintain each configuration until your child reaches the upper limit of either the seat's height or weight limit. Tested: The Best Child Car Seats for 2023, as Chosen by ExpertsĮvery convertible car seat will have height and weight limits for kids in all configurations: rear-facing, forward-facing, and, if applicable, booster. Which convertible child car seat is the best? If you're in the market for a new car seat, first of all, mazel tov! Second, when looking for reliable advice on car seats you can trust the only company that's been testing products for home and family for over 100 years: Good Housekeeping. And, of course, manufacturers hope their products come away with the GHI's coveted Seal of Approval. With dozens of experts, scientists, and testers on staff, the GHI gets its hands on hundreds, if not thousands, of new products and gear every year and puts them through its vaunted wringer. It's a remarkable facility, with test kitchens, test bedrooms, test patios, and even a test garage. The GHI lab takes up an entire floor of Hearst Tower in Midtown Manhattan. To find the best child car seats, we turned to our colleagues at Good Housekeeping and asked them to share the results of their hands-on testing with us-and we're glad we did. The main appeal of convertible car seats is, obviously, that parents may never need to buy another one: A convertible one can (read: should) last for years, saving you money and adding a small touch of convenience to the lives of already-frazzled parents. A convertible car seat "grows" with your child, from a rear-facing infant car seat for babies to a forward-facing one that's suitable for toddlers all the way up until your child needs nothing more than a booster. ![]()
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