car seat toddlers

when should I transfer my son to a toddler car seat?

He is 8 months old, 20 inches long and he weighs 20.08 lbs. He’s starting to outgrow his infant car seat, but I’m unsure of when to get him a toddler car seat.

Infant car seats are outgrown when they reach the weight limit OR when they have less than one inch of plastic shell above their heads. You need a convertible car seat that can be used rearfacing (RF), then forward facing (FF).

The recommendation from safety experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics is to rearface (RF) to the limits of the seat which is 30-35lbs on all seats sold in the US. My own daughter is rode RF until she was almost three and she reached 33 lbs which is the weight limit on her Britax Marathons. I wish she could still be RF, she was so much safer.

I have included several links with great pictures and videos of what happens to childrens necks when they are FF in a crash.

Most people are concerned about their child’s legs being scrunched or broken in a crash. There is absolutely no evidence that shows a child’s legs are in danger and I would much rather deal with a broken leg, than a broken neck.

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Hawaiian Kids Reversible $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Red and Pink Flowers Reversible $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Owls Reversible $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Amy Butler Full Moon Dot Cherry Reversible $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Michael Miller Jungle Jumble Reversible $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Strap Covers Brown with Teal Polka Dots Reversible $4.99

Orbit Baby Toddler Convertible Car Seat $187.50

Disney Cars Soft Potty Seat Red/Blue Toddler Chair Seat $18.99

Toddler Baby Minky CAR SEAT COVER-ZOE fits Britax Graco $32.99

Protect a Bub Car Seat Sunshade fits all infant & toddler car seats free shippin $34.99

Adjustable Toddler Disney Pixar Lightning McQueen Cars Race Booster Feeding Seat $48.00

NEW Toddler Baby CAR SEAT COVER-NATE-for Britax Graco $32.99

pink panther baby toddler car seat stroller Fleece personalized baby blanket $12.00

Ferrari Beline Toddler Car Seat FRB10067 $299.00

Harmony Youth Booster Car Seat Chocolate Brown Print Safety Chair Toddler NEW $24.77

RECARO Black Toddler Baby Kids Car Seat Booster 30lbs To 80lbs Front Facing New $99.99

RECARO Black Toddler Baby Kids Car Seat Booster 30lbs To 80lbs Front Facing New $96.49

Black RECARO Toddler Baby Kids Car Seat Booster 30lbs To 80lbs Front Facing New $109.95

Convertible Car Seat Infant And Toddler Safety Baby Gear Crash Tested New $149.99

Especially For Kids Deluxe Toddler Neck Support Travel Car Seat Stroller Pillow $11.99

Thomas the tank engine train toddler car seat blanket free personalized fleece $13.99

Stuffed Monkey U-shaped Neck Toddler Car Seat Travel Pillow Head Rest Cushion $6.54

Graco 1780972 Backless Pink Jeweled Princess Turbo Booster Car Seat for Toddlers $9.99

Toilet Training Stepstool Footstool Stepping Seat Chair Kids Toddler Travel NEW $25.93

Green camo John Deere logo toddler car seat blanket free personalized fleece $13.99

4 Toddler Baby Infant CAR SEAT COVERs for Britax Graco Padded Mickey Mouse New $99.90

MAXI COSI INFANT BABY TODDLER CAR SEAT BASE BLACK $40.00

Angel Baby Pillow handle personalised / newborn toddler daycare carseat stroller $12.99

Evenflo Chase LX Baby Child Toddler Booster Car Seat $155.14

NEW! TRAVELING TODDLER Suitcase Car Seat Straps Instant Stroller FREE SHIPPING $21.99

nomie baby Toddler Car Seat Cover $38.00

nomie baby Toddler Car Seat Cover $38.00

nomie baby Toddler Car Seat Cover $38.00

Summer Infant Deluxe Cradler Baby/Toddler Car Seat Head Support $15.75

BABY/TODDLER SKULL & XBONES BLANKET 36×30 in PERSONALIZED Stroller/ carseat size $7.99

Graco ComfortSport Convertible Car Seat Baby Infant Toddler Wilson 1761383 $64.67

Sunshine Kid Baby Toddler Booster Car Seat Belt Guard Alarm Battery Safety NEW $14.99

BABY INFANT TODDLER CAR STROLLER SEAT PINK SAPPHIRE CHARMS FIT FOR BEAD BRACELET $0.99

Sosoz Baby Travel Soft Tray Car Seat Toddler Stroller $35.99

BABY/TODDLER BLANKET FLEECE PERSONALIZE CARSEAT 36 x 30 $12.99

Travel Buddies Horse Pony Neck Pillow Boys & Girls Toddlers Car Seat Neck Rest $12.00

Baby Bella Maya Lollipop Leopard Plush Pink Satin Ruffle Toddler Car Seat Cover $44.99

*NEW* Eddie Bauer WeeGuard Seat Cover PROTECTS CAR/STROLLER SEAT BABY TODDLER $9.50

Toddler Coddler Child Car Seat Head Support Pillow $24.99

Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory $5.00

GoldBug Cushioned Car Seat Cover fits infant, toddler and booster seats $9.99

BABY OR TODDLER CAR SEAT STRAP COVERS ADD PADDING & COMFORT TAN BEARS VELCRO ON $4.99

Babies Newborn to Toddler, Baby Car Seat Neck Support Pillow. NeckSaver $14.99

Clek Oobr Toddler Child Booster SUV Auto Car Seat, Shadow or Black – NEW $235.99

Stuffed Monkey U-shaped Neck Toddler Car Seat Travel Pillow Head Rest Cushion $0.99

Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory $21.54

CUSTOM MADE TODDLER CARSEAT COVER $50.00

CUSTOM MADE TODDLER CARSEAT COVER $60.00

NEW Toddler Baby CAR SEAT COVER-BRET-for Britax GRACO $34.99

Toddler Baby Minky CAR SEAT COVER-LILLY fits Britax $29.99

Summer Infant Baby/Toddler Comfort Me Stroller/Car Seat Travel Blanket $15.95

Summer Infant Baby/Toddler Comfort Me Stroller/Car Seat Travel Blanket $15.95

BRAND NEW! Orbit Baby Toddler Car Seat with Side-Impact Braces (Black) $483.20

3D BABY INFANT TODDLER CAR STROLLER SEAT CHARMS FIT FOR BEAD BRACELET PENDANT $6.49

BABY INFANT TODDLER CAR STROLLER SEAT PINK SAPPHIRE CHARMS FIT FOR BEAD BRACELET $6.49

PDF Toddler Car Seat Cover SEWING PATTERN 4 Britax ROUNDABOUT DIY Carseat U Make $6.00

Orbit Baby Toddler Car Seat -mocha $195.00

Baby Toddler Plane Travelmate Car Seat & Stroll Travel Stroller Safe Secure NEW $96.01

ToddlerCoddler Toddler Coddler Kids Car Seat Head Support System Black TC003-BK $29.99

Graco Comfort Car Seat for kids toddler baby infant $39.00

International Farmal tractor toddler car seat cover-new-handmade $38.00

2in1 Travel Kids Bath Tub Grooming Kiddie Bathing Care Seat Toddler Baby Nursery $26.97

Disney Cars Toddler 2-Seat Sofa Set Childs Couch Kids Boys Red Chair Ottoman $159.00

Graco High Back Toddler TurboBoosters Car Seats Black & Green $62.50

Graco Nautilus 3-in 1 Convertible Toddler Car Seat New $169.97

Baby Toddler CAR SEAT cover SUN SHADE (Prince Lionhear) temp down up to 40F! $9.35

BABEROO NECKSAVER for infants and Toddlers while traveling in the carseat-NEW $8.00

Graco High Back Baby Child Toddler Booster Car Seat $64.13

case i h red tractor baby toddler car seat blanket free personalized fleece $13.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

Baby Bella Maya Toddler Car Seat Cover Chic Patterns U Pick NEW $79.99

NEW Toddler Baby CAR SEAT COVER-CHASE-fits Britax Graco $39.99

Dalmation dog spots baby toddler car seat fleece personalized Blanket $10.00

NEW Toddler Baby CAR SEAT COVER-SADIE-fits Britax Graco $29.99

NEW Cars 2 soft POTTY SEAT Toilet Training toddler BABY $24.29

Graco Baby Child Toddler Booster Car Safety Seat New! $125.85

Evenflo Baby Titan Sport Convertible baby birth to Toddler 5 yrs Safty Car Seat $88.87

Disney Cars Baby Toddler Potty Seat Chair Training ★NEW $30.75

Orbit Baby Toddler – Mocha Convertible Car Seat $150.00

pink camo John Deere logo toddler car seat blanket free personalized fleece $13.99

CUTEST Monkey Baby Toddler Carseat Rear View Mirror EUC $4.99

Toddler Car Seat Cover fits Britax Marathon Petunia Pickle Bottom Retired Print $79.00

TODDLER CAR SEAT COVER FITS BRITAX ROUNDABOUT OR MARATHON. PINK ZEBRA/PINK. SOFT $59.99

TODDLER CAR SEAT COVER FITS BRITAX MARATHON. PINK ZEBRA/BLACK. SOFT & DURABLE $59.99

Graco High Back TurboBooster Car Seat Booster Toddler Child Baby Safety Seat NEW $63.88

Graco High Back TurboBooster Car Seat Booster Toddler Child Safety Seat Pink NEW $63.88

Evenflo Maestro Booster Safety Car Seat Toddler Baby Upfront Harness Adjustment $172.62

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