When Should I Stop Using the Infant Bucket and Switch to a Convertible Car Seat?

Is lifting your baby’s infant bucket seat is starting to feel like arm day at the gym? You might be wondering if it’s time for them to switch from their infant seat and into a big kid car seat! The good news is you don’t have to “max out” the height or weight of their infant seat (unless you want to!). You can switch your child from an infant seat to a convertible car seat once they can fit well in one.

What are the Signs Your Baby Has Outgrown the Infant Seat?

Many parents think baby has to hit the height and weight limits of the seat to move up the next seat but your baby only has to hit one. Once they have exceeded the height OR the weight OR the head height its time to get a new car seat. Here are the three ways to tell if a baby is outgrowing their infant bucket seat:

1. By Weight: Once your baby reaches the infant car seat weight limit, it’s outgrown!
2. By Height: Once your baby reaches the infant car seat height limit, it’s outgrown!
3. By Head Height: If the top of their head is less than 1” from the top of the car seat shell, they’ve outgrown their infant car seat - even if they haven’t reached the max weight or height.

Weight and height limits are listed on the car seat itself (right on the labels) and in the manual!

What Are the Safety Rules for Switching from the Infant Bucket Seat to the Convertible Seat?

Most children use an infant bucket seat until they are 9-12 months old, but as long as your child meets the minimum weight for the convertible car seat and they fit well in it, it’s perfectly safe to make the switch. Remember that when children are rear facing those harness straps must come from at or below their shoulder height!

Many parents and caregivers wait until a child is crawling or sitting up unassisted before making the switch. This isn’t a safety requirement, but it can make it easier to get them in and out of their car seat without the convenience of that infant bucket!

How Do I Choose the Right Convertible Seat?

Buying a car seat can be stressful, but the good news is that all car seats sold in the US meet federal safety laws no matter what they cost or what extra features they have. The safest car seat for you is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, fits your budget, and that you can use correctly for every single ride.

When you’re looking for your baby’s big kid car seat, think about what you want and what you need! You might want additional safety features (like a load leg, rigid LATCH, or anti-rebound bar) or convenience features (like an easy installation or a seat that rotates). You might need a convertible seat that fits in smaller vehicles, is narrow for 3 across, or one that rear faces to 50lbs.

Having trouble narrowing down your search? Holly Choi, CPST and the mom behind Safe Beginnings put together this great car seat purchasing tool https://safebeginnings.ca/guides/ that helps filter car seats by features and cost so you can find the one that works the best for your child, your vehicle, and your budget!

Switching your baby to a convertible car seat is a one of many milestones in your early parenting journey! You’ll have to switch them when they hit the maximum weight or height of their infant bucket seat, but you can safely make the switch earlier if it makes more sense for your family and your baby gets a good fit in their new convertible car seat.