Car seats are an absolute safety mustbut they only last for so long. The infant seats that only go up to 22 lbs and 29 inches will be outgrown quicker than a seat that goes to 35 lbs. While the exact expiration date varies by manufacturer, it is usually six to seven years. Some moms opt for an inexpensive stroller frame at this age, which the car seat snaps right into, and then get a pricier fullsized stroller once baby. Oh and his seat stays in the car, it is much to heavy to cart both him and the seat. There is no expiration date listed on the infant seat and base only a manufacture date of october 2009. Your car seat goes through a lot during its useful life. Yes, car seats typically expire after six years from the date of manufacture. For infants less than 1 year old, there are two options. I wasnt expecting to purchase another car seat, but do want to ensure the. Convertible car seats generally have a service life of 7 years.
He is now 24 pounds and close to 30 inches i would guess. Frontier harness2booster seats manufactured from 20082010 have a service life of 9 years. As with many products you purchase, the quality of the car seat will degrade over time as the materials begin to wear out. The reason why child car seats expire verywell family. Your child sits in the seat hundreds of times, plus the temperatures inside our cars vary greatly with the seasons from cold to hot and back again. This type of car seat is the best first seat for most babies and the best. An infant carrier seat, which is typically good until a baby reaches 20 to 40 pounds depending on your car seats specific weight limit, or a convertible seat that can be adjusted as your baby grows. Ideal for families on the go, the doona is an infant car seat that, with the push of a lever, transitions into a compact stroller. Most car seats last between six and 10 years, but car seat expiration dates vary by manufacturer.
Several provinces also require booster seats for children who have outgrown a child car seat but are too small for a regular seat belt. Baby and toddler child restraints, travel systems and strollers from britax, combi, cosco, graco, evenflo, recaro and more. Depending on the type, the design, the kind of installation, and the materials used to make the car seat all affect how long the seat will last and how safe it is in a. And if the car seat has been involved in an accident, it shouldnt ever be used again. So exactly how long should a baby be in a car seat when driving. How long should a baby be in a car seat when driving. Did you consult the list on this page graco infant seats of that era are good for 7 years from date of manufacture. Yes, car seats expire and heres why the washington post. With a travel system or a stroller that accommodates an infant car seat, you dont have to wake baby every time you take her in and out of the car. A question we are asked frequently, and a good one. Car seat basics prams baby capsules britax australia. I would assume the plastic of the bases is just as subject to degradation at the car seat. The provincial and territorial laws also say that the childrens car seats and booster seats must be certified to canada motor vehicle safety standards and must be used according to the manufacturers instructions.
Pediatricians change guidelines for babies in car seats. Experts recommend keeping the journey as short as possible and the general rule of thumb is they shouldnt sleep in car seats for long periods of time. All infant capsules, car seats and booster seats expire. Once your baby outgrows the infant car seat, the standalone stroller goes solo for the long haul. Car seat manufacture and expiry date information nz. I would say that if you get an infant seat that goes up to 30 or 35 lbs and at least 30 inches, the average child could stay in that seat for about a year give or take a little. When your little one spits up, spills food, or otherwise makes a mess, youll want to remove the seat and wash it thoroughly. Suzie kim, crime prevention, santa monica police department, explains how long is recommended for a baby to use an infant car seat for suzie kim, crime prevention, santa monica police department, explains how long is recommended for a baby to use an infant car seat for.
Although, the service life for most models ranges from six to 10 years. The weight of an infant car seat isnt the most important factor to consider when selecting your seat, but its worth keeping in mind if you expect to have to carry it around often. Essential expiration information for the most popular brands. Written by safewise team updated october 12, 2018 most car seats come with an expiration date, which is usually between five and nine years after they were manufactured. All evenflo car seats expire 6 years following their date of manufacture, with a few exceptions. We will be buying him a convertible seat next month. If you plan on carrying your baby in the car seat often, we recommend that you look at the maxicosi mico max 30 instead as its lighter and has a better handle. Infant car seats install rearfacing only, and are best for babies up to a year old and weighing between 4 and 40 pounds. We have a peg perego infant car seat that was manufactured in january 2004. Every single infant and toddler car seat has an expiration date. Should be six years look on the underside of the seat for raised lettering.
I had a graco snugride with dd that we have 2 bases for. The useable life for most britax infant car seats including the base, older infant child car seats, youth seats, and beltpositioning booster seats manufactured through june 2010 have a service life of 6 years. Most convertible seats have limits that will permit children to ride rearfacing for 2 years or more. If you plan to keep this infant car seat for other children as well, the pipa can be used safely for several years see more information below on the car seat expiration information and car seat fitting for infants. Clicktight convertible seats last the longest, packing 10 years of use. The amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to. In general, infant car seats expire 67 years after purchase, and the expiration date or useful life of the pipa is 7 years after original purchase. You can find the expiration date of your car seat printed on the bottom of the seat shell and of the car seat base. If you are considering a convertible infant child car seat, try it in both the rearfacing and forwardfacing positions. Best travel system strollers 2020 best car seatstroller. We recently moved and i misplaced the owners manual for our car seat. Boasting a svelte new design, our pipa lite series weighs in less than every infant car seat so you can tote with ease longer knowing it goes the distance and then some. One option is to pass the car seat along to a close friend or family member who is in need of one. Its not everyday you find great deals on baby gear, so when you come across a bargain, it can be super tempting to jump on it.
Mine are in storage or id go check the bottom and look. The safest car seat, therefore, is the one that best fits your child and your car and is easiest for you to use. The lifespan range is 512 years, this is typically from the date of manufacture dom diono has confirmed the life span now applies from the date of purchase of a new child restraint this does not apply to second hand seats, bought or handed down, this is also stated. A sticker that provides the serial number includes manufacture and expiration dates. Buy a convertible car seat sooner rather than later. There are three basic types of car seats to choose from. Carrying less really is more, discover the details by clicking on the above. Car seats are given an expiration date to alert parents that the seat may be worn down or out of date after advances in safety standards and technology.
Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rearfacing for two years or more. Expired car seats need to be thrown outnever donate or loan an old car seat. But in the last year, there has been a significant change in what we know about the relative protection of car seats. Also on how long she was in it she was in it till she was 7 months of age due to her length not her weight but i think the weight limit on hers was 25 pounds. Infant models last up to six years, while convertibles have a service life of seven years.
Ive read that the expiry date on the infant car seat is either 5 years or 10 years. The service life for britax car seats manufactured after june 2010 varies depending on the model. For example, after years of being in a car that endures extremes in temperature a hot summer or cold winter the plastic can become brittle. As long as the baby is healthy, a short snooze in a car seat should not be a cause for concern as long as you take some simple precautions. Clicktight convertible car seats have a service life of 10 years.
Car seats can be used safely only for a defined period of time, typically 7 to 10 years. I know the car seat is expired, do the bases expire as well. You can also find the expiration date molded in the car seat or printed on the shell. Many infant and rearfacingonly seats have weight limits between 30 and 35 pounds, so you may think those seats are adequate until your child reaches that weightat about 2 years. Most car seats last between five to nine years after they were manufactured not necessarily after they were bought. Your infant or toddler should ride in a rearfacing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Most manufacturers emboss the car seat expiration date somewhere on the unit, while others put it on the product manual.
Other options are to sell it in a garage sale or give it to a local childrens consignment shop that is accepting car seats. The length of useful life varies and is most often a set amount of time from the date of manufacture. The type of materials used in a car seat effect the expiration date and how the seat will perform in a crash or wear over time. The aap recommends that all infants and toddlers should ride in a rearfacing car seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat. Expert advice, shopping and installation help on the safest and best car seats.
All manufacturers of car and booster seats in canada set an expiry date on their seats. As an infant car seat, the nuna pipa series is designed for baby s first year, so your child can expect to use this car seat for around twelve months. Onboard expiration dates ic140, 1c244, ic234, ic077, ic146, ic230, ic252. My daughters infant car seat was used but it didnt expire till 2012 and wasnt in a car crash. We encourage you to try installing the seat directly into your car at the retail site, because not all car seats are compatible with all vehicles. Another factor that can contribute to the longevity of a car seat is the types of materials used in construction. Some car seats have an expiration date on them and should not be used past that date. How to wash an infant car seat with pictures wikihow. Here is the car seat info youll need when buying a car seat.
How long to use infant insert chicco keyfit 30 march. Romper reached out to baby expert and certified child passenger technician jessica zablan of the birth and baby company. Also, there is an expiration date printed on a label located on the seat and base. The most comprehensive car seat for special needs children, the carrot 3 provides optimal positioning for insufficient head, trunk, and pelvic stability with extensive growth. An infant carrier seat, which is typically good until a baby reaches 20 to 40 pounds depending on your car seat s specific weight limit, or a convertible seat that can be adjusted as your baby grows. I have a track graco snug ride manufactured in 2012 when would it expire. My son will be one next sunday and still fits in the infant seat. Ask questions about automotive safety issues to certified technicians. The expiration date is often printed on the seat itself. The mesa is the only infant car seat with a unique technology utilizing a tightness indicator and selfretracting latch connectors for fast, accurate and easy installation. The date of manufacture is found on a sticker somewhere on the seat, but sometimes not visible unless the. An indicator window changes from red to green for visual confirmation the base has been installed correctly every time.