https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 00:01:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095249 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 16:40:35 +0000 Willow 2095249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Banana330: @shellio: @Adira: @turkeylurkey: Thanks for all of the responses! It definitely sounds like we will need to test some out when the time comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095171 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 16:05:43 +0000 turkeylurkey 2095171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes go test them out. Something else to consider is the height on the sides that you have to lift baby up and over each time. The infant carriers have bases that stay in the car. But some bases are 5-6 inches tall. Lifting the infant carrier up and over that base was hard for me in my Tahoe. I would have to balance the infant carrier on the side of the seat. Stand up on the running boards and then lift the thing up and over. I always felt unsafe doing this. I keep mine on the passenger side so that I don't have to worry with how far that seat has to be. And when I do have a passenger most times baby/LO isn't with me so they could cram it back as far as they can. Otherwise we just make do. Even in a huge Tahoe you still have the seat distance issue! Crazy! But that phase in the infant carrier goes by so quick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095143 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:54:05 +0000 Adira 2095143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It totally depends on the seat. Our infant car seat (Safety First Elite Comfy Carry) seems to be longer than our convertible (Graco MySize 70), but only by a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095135 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:51:56 +0000 shellio 2095135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with testing them. Our infant carrier (Chicco key fit) seems so bulky to me in the car. We did always keep the seat in the middle when we only had one, I don't remember if we were able to slide the seat back very far. I drive a Prius and I'm pretty short, it was always fine for me. We have Diono Radian RXT convertible seats for our 2 toddlers and I LOVE them, they are very low profile and we will be able to get 3 in the back seat of the prius. However for the rear facing infant, as PP said, it has to recline to such a degree that the front seat has to slide forward all the way. When it was on the driver's side, my DH couldn't drive the car because he could barely climb in and he is 5'11" so not super tall. We had to move it to the other side so he could drive the prius when he needs to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095119 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:45:07 +0000 Banana330 2095119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the recline needed for a convertible rear facing seat takes up more room than an infant seat. But I never actually tried it. </p> <p>We have a mazda 3, and figured out what infant carseats were compatible with the strollers we wanted, then tested them out in our car from the local baby store. </p> <p>The middle seat wasn't really the best option for us as both the driver and passenger had to be pretty vertical plus there's no latch system in the centre seat. </p> <p>Of the three we tested only one allowed me to sit comfortably in the passenger seat (chicco key fit) the others left too little space. </p> <p>I'd recommend testing what ever seats you think about getting in your car, especially if you think you'll use them for future kids etc. We measured the distance but only by testing could you really tell if it would fit correctly too. The other thing you have to think of is the amount the base hangs off the seat itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-vs-convertible-car-seat-size#post-2095076 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:30:25 +0000 Willow 2095076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please excuse this if it's a dumb question, but is an infant car seat or a convertible car seat bigger, depth/length wise?<br /> We have a sedan with a small backseat, and a husband with very long legs (I'm average height).<br /> Would an infant seat or convertible seat be an easier fit? I'd like to have the seat in the middle since I've heard that's the safest option? </p>