What comes after a convertible car seat?

[addisonbc]

My son currently sits in a convertible car seat, but he's too tall for it now. What type of car seat should I look at purchasing now?

	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. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

[SusanMae]

Depends---What's the age and weight of your child? What seat is he currently in?

Susan, CPST

[stayinhomewithmy3]

The height limits for the seat are only guidelines. Your son has truly outgrown the seat if his shoulders are above the top harness slots or his ears are above the top of the seat back. If he has outgrown it in either of these 2 ways, you need to move him to either a higher weight harnessing (HWH) seat or a belt positioning booster (BPB) seat. His age and weight are the determining factors in deciding between a HWH seat or a BPB. If he is under 4 or 40 lbs, he most definitely needs a HWH seat. If he is over 4 and 40 lbs, he may be able to use a BPB, but it is preferred that kids ride harnessed until about the age of 5.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Higher Weight Harnessing Higher weight harnessing seat. A convertible or combination seat that harnesses past 40lbs.