One of the most frequently asked questions is “When to Switch Car Seats for Your Child” and it is a very important question. There are different regulations that focus on weight, height and age, so it can be quite confusing. Therefore, we have compiled a summary of when you should change the car seat for your child.
It’s important to keep your child in the right car seat for their age and size. Here’s a guide on when to switch car seats for your child.
When to Switch Car Seats is an important decision you will need to make, as it is essential that the car seat fits your child well at any age.
we divide car seats into three groups according to the different stages in a child’s life:
- Car seats from birth.
- Car seats for toddlers
- Car seats for older children
When you have to choose a car seat for your newborn, you can choose between two options: use an infant car seat from birth to the first year and then switch to a toddler car seat up to about four years of age, or use a 2-in-1 car seat from birth to about 4 years of age.
If you use a 2-in-1 seat, this article will help you to know When to Switch Car Seats for Your Child. The user manual for your 2-in-1 seat will tell you when to remove the infant insert from the product.
INFANT CHAIRS
If you opt for a “classic” infant car seat for your newborn, these are typically used until about 12 months of age and have a carrying handle for easy removal from the car. Infant car seats are always installed in the car in the rear-facing direction. They can be secured using the vehicle seat belt or, in some cases, an additional ISOfix base. Both options are equally safe if installed correctly.
when to switch car seats
When is the earliest it is possible to change from an infant car seat to a toddler car seat?
we recommend that you use the infant seat for as long as possible, as it offers flexibility for parents and provides fabulous side protection for the baby. However, you may want to consider switching to a toddler car seat sooner. In these cases, we recommend that you switch to a toddler car seat only when your baby can sit alone, as these are usually more upright and provide slightly less stability than infant car seats.
Depending on the toddler seat you choose, you will need to ensure that your child meets the minimum requirements for using the product. Depending on the regulations, these may refer to a minimum weight or height.
When is the latest you can change from an infant seat to a toddler seat?
Step 1: Check the weight/height limitation of the seat
If the infant car seat is certified according to ECE R44-04, then this indicates a maximum weight. This maximum weight must not be exceeded. But this does not mean that you can use the seat until your baby reaches the maximum weight. Babies often outgrow their car seats before they reach the maximum weight. In this case, see step 2.
If the infant car seat is certified according to UN R129, then this indicates a maximum height. This maximum height must not be exceeded. In most cases, the maximum height indicates that the seat can no longer be used. Still, refer to step 2.
Step 2: Check shoulder belts and distance to the top of the seat
When the highest point of the baby’s head is approximately 2 fingers away from the highest point of the seat shell, you should switch to a toddler seat. Ideally, you should look for toddler seats in advance of your baby reaching this point. It is advisable to be aware of this two-finger clearance, as it provides a margin of upward movement in the event of an accident. This movement can occur if the belts are not perfectly tightened. Although we know that parents do their best to tighten the belts correctly at all times, it can happen (when you are in a hurry or if the baby moves around a lot) that the belts are not as tight as they should be.
Also check how the shoulder belts fit over your baby’s shoulders and what the seat owner’s manual recommends in this regard. Most manufacturers state that the shoulder belts should not come out from under the baby’s shoulders. So if the shoulder belts no longer fall straight across the shoulders when the headrest or shoulder belts are in the highest position, then it is also time to change the seat.
TODDLER CAR SEAT
If you opt for the classic option and use an infant car seat first, you will then need to use a toddler car seat. This can be used from approximately six months of age up to approximately four years of age, depending on the height and weight of your child. According to UN R129 (i-Size) regulations, children should remain rear-facing for at least 15 months, but at BeSafe we recommend that you keep your child in this position until at least four years of age, and if possible longer. Some seats in this group can be used in both forward-facing and rear-facing positions.
When is the earliest it is possible to change from a toddler seat to a booster seat?
we recommend that you keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible or at least until the age of four. Therefore, we advise you to switch your child to a booster seat only when the following three conditions are met:
- Your child must be at least four years old.
- Your child meets the minimum requirement for the seat (15 kg according to ECE R44 or 100 cm
- according to UN R129). This is legally binding according to the regulations.
- Your child is mentally mature enough to sit still in the high back booster seat. If he or she leans too far forward, your child will be outside the protection zone of the booster seat and the booster seat will not protect him or her as intended.
When is the latest time to stop using the toddler seat?
Step 1: Check the weight/height limitation of the seat
If your toddler seat is UN R129 certified, you must stop using it when your child reaches the maximum height set by the standard. In addition, UN R129 certified seats installed with ISOfix also have a weight limitation which can be found on the product certification label or in the user manual. When your child reaches one of these two limits, whichever comes first, it is time to change the seat.
If your toddler seat is certified to ECE R44-04, the seat has a maximum weight that you can read on the product certification label or in the user manual. When your child reaches this maximum weight, you must change the seat. However, you may not always be able to use the seat until the maximum weight is reached, as your child may exceed the height limit earlier. In that case, see step two.
Step 2: Check the shoulder belts and the level of the ear to the headrest.
When the tops of your child’s ears reach the highest point of the headrest, it is time to change seats.
Also check how the shoulder belts fit over your child’s shoulders and what the seat owner’s manual recommends. Many manufacturers state that the shoulder belts should not come out from under the child’s shoulders. So if the shoulder belts no longer fall straight across the shoulders when the head restraint or shoulder belts are in the highest position, then it is also time to change the seat.
When to Switch Car Seats
CHILD CAR SEATS/BOOSTER SEATS
This type of seat will be the one your child will use the longest, from about age four to age 12. Using a high-back booster seat instead of just a booster cushion ensures that your child has side-impact protection the entire time he or she is using it. Although not required by national legislation, we recommend that you use a high-back booster seat for as long as possible to give your child the best protection.
When to stop using the booster seat?
Step 1: Check the weight/height limitation of the lift chair
If your booster seat is certified according to the ECE R44-04 standard, you must stop using it when your child reaches a maximum weight of 36 kg according to the standard.
If your booster seat is certified according to UN R129, you must stop using it when your child reaches a maximum height of 150 cm according to the regulations.
Step 2: Check the laws in your country
In Spain, it is mandatory to use a child car seat until the child reaches 135 cm in height, and recommendable up to 150 cm.
Step 3: Check how your child sits in the car without a child car seat
In addition to step 1 and 2, you can perform a “5-point check” to see if your child is ready to sit in the car without a child car seat. If one of these 5 points has not yet been met, the child should continue to sit in a booster seat:
- Can you sit with your back flush against the back of the vehicle seat?
- Do your knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat when you do so?
- Does the lap belt sit below the pelvic bones and not in the belly area?
- Is the shoulder belt positioned properly over the shoulder and not too close to the neck or does it slide over the shoulder?
- Does your child understand how to sit correctly in the vehicle seat and manage to do so without slouching or leaning?
