infant in convertible

[fletcher_1971]

Hi all-

Has anyone skipped the infant seat and used a convertible for a newborn?

Thanks!
Kate

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

[MnMadhouse]

The biggest concern with this is that a lot of convertibles on the market, their bottom harness slots are WELL above the top of the shoulders of the child. When a child is rear facing, you want the harness slots to be AT or BELOW their shoulders. The other concern is making sure that it is at a full 45 degree recline (which infant carriers are set at). Some convertibles sit up a little higher than others.

I know the Cosco Scenera has pretty low slots and the angle is pretty much on. So IF you wanted to bypass the infant carrier (which is also EXTREMELY convenient when you have a sleeping baby and you don't want to wake them up), the Scenera would likely work for you...as long as your child isn't a tiny preemie

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.