When To Buy A New Car Seat -

Buying a new car seat is a major milestone, but it’s often driven by safety requirements rather than just "sizing up." 1. The "Inch" Rule (Outgrowing the Current Seat)

Safety experts and most manufacturers recommend replacing a seat after any .

It’s time to switch to a convertible seat when the top of your baby's head is within 1 inch of the top of the car seat shell.

Children usually outgrow their seats by before they hit the maximum weight limit.

You may not need to replace it after a "minor" crash if: The vehicle was driven away from the crash. The door nearest the car seat was undamaged. No occupants were injured. The airbags did not deploy. There is no visible damage to the car seat. Pro-Tip: The "Hand-Me-Down" Check

If you are considering a used seat, only accept it if you the previous owner to give you an honest crash history and you can verify the seat hasn't been part of a recall.