Please tell me about car seat expirations...

[oregonduck]

So, I've heard from various people and read here a bit that car seats have expiration dates. I wasn't aware of this when DH and I bought our Graco Snugride infant seat and stroller combo a little over a year ago. I also heard that the hospital won't let you bring home baby if your car seat is expired. How do I find this out? I'm pregnant now and due in September, but bought this Graco set over a year ago when I was pregnant but miscarried. The box is new, never opened, but no longer returnable. Will it still be good for my new baby next year? Should I sell it on Craigslist now and buy a new one closer to when my baby arrives? Oh, the confusion!

Thanks for any help!

[Eben'sMama]

The expiration date should be on a sticker on the side of the outside shell of the Snugride. IIRC, most car seats are good for something like 5-8 years from the date of manufacture, so you should be fine even if the seat is a year old.

[TheGirls]

The Snugride lasts 6 years. Your babe will probably not fit in it past 6-8months, so it'll be fine, unless you had plans to use it for several children. My DD outgrew her SnugRide at 4 months old.

[Maedze]

The Graco Snugride expires in the December of the sixth year from date of manufacture. It's highly unlikely your seat is expired.

[oregonduck]

Thank you so much for your advice! That makes me feel so much better.

We have a lot of the basics already--I got a little carried away when I was pregnant last year, but didn't expect to lose it. Now I'm unemployed, so it would stink if I had to sell this one at a loss and buy a new one next year.

[sapphire_chan]

IMO, whenever possible those baby seats should be used for at least two babies, so if you ( never have an accident in it, as your baby is getting close to outgrowing it check around with friends and relatives to see if there's a pregnant woman who needs a seat.

[organicpapayamama]

you have got great info on here already. Just wanted to add that I have yet to see a hospital, at least around here, that will check to see that 1. either a car seat is installed correctly or 2. if it is expired. I wish they did but thats not the norm around my area. Glad you are making it a priority though.