When should I switch out of the infant car seat?

I love the infant car seat because I can take my LO anywhere and out of the car. However, I noticed her feet are now on the edge of the seat and if she grows an another inch or two in the next month, her feet will be hanging off. Should we go ahead and switch to the bigger car seat? I was hoping to make it to the spring when the car seat trade in is at target so I can get a discount. They are so freaking expensive. Any advice on when your babies have been switched?

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As long as your baby is under the height and weight limit you can continue to use it. Their head needs to be an inch from the top of the car seat, but it's ok if their feet hang off the edge. The car seat I have has a weight limit of 35 lb and a height limit of 32 inches. Once your baby out grows one of those parameters they should be put in a bigger car seat. My 3 year old is 30lbs so she could fit weight wise but is 36 inches tall, so she's too big for the infant carrier anymore. But she used it till she was 2 years old. My 6 month old is 12 lbs and 24 inches tall so he still fits fine.

My ped and my mom ( always need mom’s advice lol) said as long as they aren’t over the weight limit then you shouldn’t change it out . My baby girl is 6 months and her feet hang over not drastically but still . She’s only 20 pounds though

My sister (who has 2 kids) says once their feet start hanging off the seat, it’s time to get a new one

it's definitely weight not length that is dangerous advice

Always use the book your car seat comes with it will tell you the weight limit I switched my girl to a big girl car seat a 2 months ago because the new car seat can start at 5 pounds

Depends so much on your car seat. Keep it as long as they don’t go over the height and weight requirements. Mine is 32 lbs and 32 inches. My daughter at 2 years and 4 months is still not 32 lbs but she passed 32 inches around 18 months, so we were able to use the infant car seat until 18 months. My son is a lot bigger so I’m sure he will grow out of it sooner but probably I have til at least 1 year. The legs hanging off the edge doesn’t matter. I have a Nuna pipa. It’s an expensive car seat but lasts a long time and I’m using it on my second baby so have used it a lot.

You go by the weight OR height limit of your car seat, whichever your baby hits first. If your baby reaches either the weight limit or the height limit, then it’s time for a new car seat. My son is almost 6 months and weights 15lbs and is about 26 inches. His car seat limits are 35lbs or 32 inches so we still have a while before he grows out of it. He is long but not heavy so he will probably meet the height limit before he meets the weight limit.

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