Infant Seat Advice

If you look at the side of the car seat it should have an "expration" date on it which is usually 2 or 3 years.

Car seats are only good for 5 years. After that you're supposed to throw them out. I'd get a new one if I were you!

Look for the "expiration date", it's usually on the bottom somewhere. Also check it out for stress marks or damage. It's amazing how much stress they go through pulling them in and out of the base in the car. We trashed my son's when he was done because there were those white marks everywhere it locked into the base or stroller.

The car seats are made out of plastic that can get hairline cracks due to impact and heat. That's why you should always get a new one and not a used one. Unless you intimately know the carseat's history and it didn't include being used, banged, or sitting in your car in the sun. Get a 5-point car-seat. It's worth it not to take any risks.

I've heard carseats are good for about 6 years. We used ours (bought new) for both our children 3 years apart. I agree you should check the expiration and do some research on line for the brand and model that you have to see how long it's good for and if there were any recalls. You can also go to your local police department who will do a free inspection. I highly recommend Britax carseats, from all the research I've done, they are the safest. That's what we use. A little more expensive, but they last longer (height/weight) and it's worth it. Congratulations on your upcoming Christmas bundle. My first daughter was born on December 12th. :)

It should be fine, I think they last 6 years. If you turn it over, you'll find an expiration date.

Congratulations,
M.

My friend started a carseat safety program in our town, and he said that if a carseat was manufactured more than six years ago, you should replace it.

Car seats and/or car seat models have expiration dates - normally five years from when they are first manufactured. However, the one you have may have been on the shelf a while and if you're planning to use it for over a year, that would put it over the five year period. One of mine actually had the expiration date on it. I went to a car seat check - to see if I had installed it correctly and they pointed out that it had expired. They also checked to see if the model had been recalled. I'm not sure where you live, but every state has agencies or volunteer groups, or car seat technicians that will help check on your car seat installation and to make sure it's still in good shape. The comment the technician made was "Isn't your child worth the latest technology in safety?" We ended up buying all new car seats and boosters for our children. Good luck.

if you kept it in good condition, do let fine tell you anything different, they just want you to buy aa new one.

I have used the same carseats for the last 12 years. I don't know if that is way too long, but what I'm trying to say is that I'm sure a 4 year old carseat is just fine.

B.,
You can look up the seat on NHTSA to see if there are any recalls on your "old" seat. There are newer seats that might have upgraded features, but your seat that's 4 years-old might be fine...I am a Child Passenger Safety Technician and Instructor and I suggest if the seat is safe using that as the infant seat and saving money to invest in a better convertible seat. Children are only in their infant seats for a few months...good luck!

car seats typically have a life span of 5 years. i would reccamend getting a new one just because of new safety measures that have been made and since its so close to being the 5 year mark. good luck!

I think the new rule of thumb is 4 years, then get a new seat. In our case, my sons infant seat was just under 4 years old when we had my daughter. I knew it hadn't been in an accident of any kind and all the parts were in excellent shape. So we used it.

But I would call the manufacturer to see if they have updated or recalled your particular carseat just to be safe.

CHP told me 5 years when I had mine installed. Due to the elements (extreme heat, etc.) and other factors, they will not install a seat over 5 years old...you can trade in your old one at a CHP office though for a newer one, if money is a factor.

I would recommened getting another car seat. I have 3 girls and I begrudgingly bought one for each even though they are 3 and 4 years apart. My oldest is eight and is only 51 lbs so she is still in a booster seat. plus when you start carpools and stuff you always want one on hand incase you have to take jimmy and little sister suszie because the other mom has to go pick up 5 older kids from baseball. They are just always nice to have handy so spend the extra 50/75.00 to get the best

Car seats do expire. There should be a date on the seat itself somewhere. I think it is at 5 yrs.

I would call the manufacture it usually has a ten year date. So call them give them the code on the paper of the car seat and you should be fine. I had to check one out that was given to me and they told me at Graco it has a ten year.

As long as it hasn't been recalled or been in an accident, it is safe to use again. We used the same one for our 2nd. I think the newer ones may be easier to carry - they changed the handle a little bit. It's up to you if that's worth buying a new one or not.
Good luck!

usually you can go on the manufacturers website to see if their are any recalls on that carseat. You could also contact the sheriffs department to find out any new regulations for carseat safety

What seat is he in now? All I recommend is that he is in a 5-point-harness for as long as you can. My son was in a BRITAX REGENT from age 5-8.

Kyle's story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Belle's story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

My daughter is 4 and she has outgrown her BRITAX MARATHON (I thought she was fine, a friend pointed out her legs have grown and need more support) and I purchased a GRACO NAUTILUS.

Go onto the website of that manufactured the carseat and see if there have been any recalls for the particular model that you have. Manufacturers make updates constantly so that they can make more money and continue to have "new & better" products on the market. There is nothing wrong with using an older carseat unless it has been recalled. If you feel comfortable with the carseat that you have please do not let your friends scare you into going out and spending money that could be used elsewhere. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!

There should be a date somewhere on the bottom of the car seat. The plastic the car seat is made out of gets old and makes the seat unsafe after a few years.

My son will be 4 in November and I have a 5 month old and I used the same car seat.. I think that as long as there are not any recalls on it, it should be fine.. you could always check out the current model and see exactly how much has changed? Cause I noticed a lot of changes were more to do with ease of using the seat versus safety reasons.. good luck in whatever you decide.. do what will make you happy and confortable..

While its true that car seat manufacturers continue to improve their designs, that doesn't automatically make the older ones unsafe. I used my car seats for over 10 years before replacing them due to wear and tear, a car accident, or for a better fit in a newer vehicle. I used them for my own children, friends' children, daycare and foster children - they saw almost daily use and never had any safety issues. If your older seat is still in good condition, never been in an accident, and fits well in your current vehicle you should not be worried about using it for your new baby.

My son's car seat will be four years old in Dec and it says right on the seat that it is useable until December of 2010. It's a Graco infant seat, maybe check the website of the manufacturer of your seat... some seats may last longer than others.... dont know for sure