A convertible infant car seat, also known as an infant-toddler car seat, is one that can be used for both newborn infants as well as larger toddlers. Purchasing a convertible seat can save you money as it is the only seat you will have to purchase for your infant and toddler. If you already own an infant only seat, buying a convertible infant car seat will allow you to keep your young child in the rear facing position longer than transitioning to a toddler seat.
For newborns and small infants, you have two seat choices for your car: infant only seats and convertible infant car seats. The infant only seat is only rear facing and can generally hold an infant from 5 lbs to 22 lbs (depending on the seat manufacturer). These rear facing car seats are generally lighter than the convertible infant car seat, and many of them attach to a base that stays in the car, allowing you to carry your infant in them. The convertible infant car seat can stay in the rear facing position from about 5 lbs to 32 lbs (depending on the seat manufacturer). It is recommended that infants stay in the rear facing position until they are at least 20 lbs and a year old, but it is better for the infant to stay in this position as long as the seat manufacturer limits aren’t exceeded. So, with a convertible infant car seat, your infant can stay in the rear facing position much longer.
There are also two basic types of seats to choose from for your toddler: toddler only seats and convertible infant car seats. Toddler car seats are forward facing seats, and can be used when your infant is older than 1 year and over 20 lbs. Although these are safe for your young toddler, it would be best to keep them in the rear facing position as long as possible (without going over manufacturer weight limits). A convertible infant car seat can be converted from a rear facing seat to a forward facing seat when your child becomes heavier. The convertible seat will allow you to keep your infant is the safer rear facing position longer.
If you prefer purchasing the infant only seats due to size and/or convenience, you will still need to get a second seat when your infant outgrows the first seat (over 22 lbs for most infant only seats). You can purchase a forward facing toddler seat, or you can purchase a convertible infant car seat. Purchasing a convertible seat will allow you to keep your infant in the safer rear facing position longer (generally about an extra 10 lbs), but still allow you to have the forward facing seat. There are now even some convertible infant car seats that have a booster seat attachment, so you can use the same seat from 5 lbs all the way up to 80 lbs.
