Child Safety Seats

C and I have been navigating the complicated market for convertible child car seats, since Kate is nearing her infant car seat's height limit, and we want to keep her in the safer rear facing position beyond the 20 lbs and 12 months old recommendations. Note: At 6 months old, Kate, my petite flower, is already 20 lbs. She is also tall with long legs that are reaching the end of her infant seat.

Like my search for the best initial car seat, there is a dizzying array of options on the market catering to different heights, weights, uses and budgets. So far, I mentioned Baby Bargains as a good resource for buying all things baby. I also stumbled upon this resource from the American Academy of Pediatricians. Thank goodness for charts with height and weight comparisons as well as some guidelines for when a child can transition to a forward facing seat, a booster seat with harnesses, a booster seat without harnesses and finally just a seat belt in the back seat.

So far, I think we are buying the Graco ComfortSport (up to 40" and 40 lbs for about $80 at Target), unless we decide to spring for a model that will last beyond 3-4 years, like the First Years True Fit Convertible Car Seat (up to 50" and 65 lbs for about $180) or the Evenflo Symphony Convertible Car Seat (all-in-one rear & forward facing plus converts to a booster seat up to 100 lbs for about $200.) We are trying to avoid the ultra expensive but well reviewed Britax models that cost $300+. Hmmm....how big will you be at 3 years old, Kate?

Most states now have a child safety seat and booster seat law that requires all children to be restrained until they reach a certain height or weight and/or age. In Michigan, all children must remain in a safety seat until they are 4'9" and 8 years old, effective July 1, 2008. See MCL 257.710e.