Okay I have a question for you today ladies. We just pulled out our infant seat. It is the kind that comes with the travel stroller. So it says that it was made May 14, 2004. That will only gives us 5-6 months use out of it. When my son was a infant we ended up putting him in a rear-facing car seat at around 4-5 months b/c I was having a hard time carrying him in the infant seat (he was a chunk back then). So time wise it will be cutting it close to when the seat expires. What would you do if you were in my shoes. Thanks
I agree with the other posters. You know the history of this carseat and know that it has not been in an accident. It should be perfectly okay for the length of time you will need it. My stepdaughter gave us a carseat to use for our grandson that was the same type situation. We went past the expiration date by a few months before he outgrew it. After that we took it to the dump.
Do you plan on having more babies after your second?? If not I wouldn't do a thing and just use the seat you have. My oldest is not quite 3.5 years older than my youngest and I used the same everything with him.
Congratulations and good luck!!!
Personally, I would use the infant carrier. All three of my kids used the same, "Made in 2000" carrier, and the last one was in it until summer 2007. I think part of the reason is they don't want you to pick up something at a Goodwill that is 15 years old and you don't know the history (recalls, accidents, old technology). I also read that the plastic can start to break down, but I mean, it was made in 2004! I would definitely use it.
Personally, I would still use the car seat... UNLESS you are looking for an excuse to splurge on a newer, sexier model. Carseat expiration/guidelines not only "ensure the safety" of your little one... they also ensure a solid profit margin for the carseat manufacturers. Trust your gut and do what you feel most comfortable.
What brand is it? If it's a Graco then it will not expire until 2010. They have a 6 year lifespan.
There is a reason that carseats expire. Because plastics degrade. Will it turn into a pumpkin on May 14, 2010? No. But I wouldn't leave my kid in the seat to find out when it will turn into a pumpkin.
Just use the seat and whenever you want to switch him to a convertible, I am with you I like to switch around 5ish months as well, then switch him. I am using my 2005 Graco Snugride that I used for my 2 year old for my new baby due in December.
As long as you know it's never been in an accident and isn't worn out, I would definitely use it. And anyhow, what would make the seat any less safe on May 15th, 2009?
I agree with the poster who suggested that the expiration dates equal more profit for the car seat manufacturer!
The reason for expiration dates on the carseats is that the materials deteriorate with everyday wear and tear on the seat. Even though you know the complete history of that seat, you do not know the strength testing or how plastic deteriorates internally. The true test of how a carseat works can only be evidenced by what it was designed to do, and that is to increase a child's safety in a crash. Just because others have used a carseat past the expiration date and was fine (was it ever in a crash, or just used in the car?), does not mean that your old carseat will work the way it was intended if you were to be in a crash. If you want to take that risk, that is your choice, I personally wouldn't.
Since they are only in an infant carrier type seat for a short period of time, I would suggest you use that one until the expiration date or your new baby outgrows it, whichever comes first, and then go to a convertible carseat. Or you could just buy a convertible carseat. I personally hated the infant carriers and never used one with my 2nd son after my 1st son outgrew his at 4 months.
I'd get on Freecycle and find a carseat that would give you more use. It's pretty easy to find one. People are giving them away all the time.
L.
