Moving to the US - help with car seat for 6-month old

[EllisH]

We will be moving from Europe to the US in a few weeks and won't be bringing our current infant car seat (leaving it here with family for when we visit).  

DS is 6 months old and quite big (almost 20 lbs).  What car seat should I get him?  I get the impression that he's rapidly outgrowing his infant car seat and would like to get him one that will last a while.  Yet I don't want to compromise on safety.  DS can not quite yet sit up by himself, but he can sit against the back of the couch, for example, and I expect it won't take long before he can properly sit up.  

I have no idea what car seats are available in the US and would much appreciate any advice - esp. since I will have to ask DH to buy one by himself (DH will get there before DS and me and need to have it ready to pick us up from the airport).  Thank you!!

[DahliaRW]

I would look for a convertible car seat with a tall shell and good rfing limit that will last you a good long time.  I'd look at the radians (but check car-seat.org to see if there are install issues with your vehicle), graco myride, true fit, or complete air.

[SeattleRain]

You might want to bring your seat just in case, even if it's short lived. You're going to need a seat to get around here and you don't want to run right out and get a seat. Are you getting a seat on the plane? If so, it will be way easier for the long flight if the baby has a nice bed-like spot to sleep in.

Since your baby is close to 20lbs and already 6 months old, you definitely don't want to get another infant seat. I'd look exclusively at a convertible seat. Do you have your own car here in the US? Will you be in an urban or suburban area? Do you only need 1 or do you need one for two cars? In the US, the minimum age recommended to turn your babies forward facing is 2 years old which might be a change from Europe. Because of that, you're going to want to find a seat that rear faces to 40lbs. If you have a 20lb 6 month old, that would be even MORE important, though since your baby isn't at all mobile yet, the growth rate could definitely slow down.

You can easily get a convertible seat for under $150 at your local Target, Babies R US or Walmart. All carseats pass the same standards, so a cheap seat does not mean that it isn't as safe, it just means it may not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive seat. A $50 seat (Cosco Scenera) will be a more than adequate seat, but most people like to have a little more padding and foam for comfort, so you usually will find a great seat at around $100. The Graco My Ride is a great seat in that price range, as is the Britax Roundabout, or the Evenflo Triumph.

[EllisH]

Thank you both!  It's good to know what I should be looking for.  I am now also considering taking the car seat on the plane, as it will be useless here (too small) anyway when I come back over the Christmas break.  I don't have an extra seat booked for him (he still qualifies for a bassinet), but maybe there'll be a free seat next to me for it (fingers crossed).

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain 

 If you have a 20lb 6 month old, that would be even MORE important, though since your baby isn't at all mobile yet, the growth rate could definitely slow down.

I will just plug the growth may slow down angle.  Ds1 was 24lbs at 6 months.  He hit 40lbs around 3 1/2!  Once they get mobile their weight gain really slows.  He outgrows seats by height rather than weight now.

[SeattleRain]

You're right, I more meant that as an encouragement to move to a convertible seat instead of wasting time in an infant seat.