If you are getting a car seat for your newborn, you may contemplate between the two types of car seats — infant car seats and convertible car seats. The good news is that both are designed to keep your baby safe when they ride a car and the differences have to do with size, portability, and usage duration.
Before we break down the key differences and benefits to help you decide, here are some things you should know no matter what type of car seat you get.
Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they come to the weight limit or height limit of their specific model, whichever comes first. You must plan to keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age 2 and maybe longer, depending on your child's growth. Both infant and convertible car seats allow babies to ride rear-facing from day one.
Infant car seats
Pros of infant car seats
- Portability — Lightweight and usually comes with a detachable base, making it easy to carry the seat and transfer your baby in and out of the car.
- Travel system — Many parents love that infant car seats can be used with a travel system, which means your baby can stay buckled in the car seat and be snapped into the stroller frame right away when you get out of the car and start walking around!
Cons of infant car seats
- Limited use — Suitable for infants up to 15kg or 35 inches long. That means you will need to switch to a different seat once your baby is too big.
- Size — Can take up more space in the car and once outgrown, they need to be replaced.
Here are the top 3 infant car seats on Babydash.
Convertible car seats
Pros of convertible car seats
- Longevity — Can be used from infancy through toddlerhood and beyond as they often accommodate kids up to 29kg or more. Convertible car seats can also be used in rear- and forward-facing modes.
- Cost-effective — Since they can be used long-term, you can save money by not purchasing a new car seat as your child grows.
- Versatility — Convertible car seats typically offer a higher weight limit for rear-facing, which is recommended for safety benefits.
Cons of convertible car seats
- Less portable — They are heavier, bulkier, and do not have carrying handles like infant car seats.
- Installation — Can be more complex to install compared to infant car seats, which makes it difficult to switch between cars as they are not designed to be quickly taken out of the car once installed.
Here are the top 3 convertible car seats on Babydash.
Osann One 360 I-Size Convertible Car Seat
Britax One4Life™ ClickTight ® All-in-One
Chicco Unico Plus Air Convertible Car Seat
Which is better?
- For newborns and infants — An infant car seat is often preferred for its practicality and ease of use during early months. Its portability and rear-facing safety features are well-suited for newborns.
- For long-term use — A convertible car seat is a better choice if you prefer a seat that grows with your baby. It is a more economical option in the long run and offers extended rear-facing features.
At the end of the day, the best choice is depending on your specific needs, lifestyle, and budget.
