Baby Gear, Strollers, Toys, Furniture: Magic Beans | Convertible Car Seats

Convertible car seats are so named because they can be installed either rear-facing or forward-facing in the car.  To help with the decision-making process, we've created a comparison chart that gives an overview of the various features and benefits of each model.

Unlike infant car seats, convertible seats are designed to last for several years, until your child is ready to move into a booster seat. Convertible car seats should be installed rear-facing until your child is at least 20 pounds and 1 year of age (or even longer, if you'd like - current recommendations suggest leaving it rear-facing until kids are up to 2 years), and then they can be turned around to face forward. Most convertible car seats can be installed either with a seat belt or by using the LATCH system.

When choosing a convertible car seat, here are some key things to consider: height and weight capacity, ease of installation, the size of the seat in relation to the size of your car, safety ratings and level of side-impact protection, overall comfort for your child, and ease of fabric cleanup/maintenance.