Also if you are using a hand me down car seat make sure it hasn't expired. Yes they have expiration dates on the bottoms of them. They update saftey features every few years. And if you can I suggest only taking car seats as a hand me down from people you know that can assure you it hasn't been in an accident previously.

Thanks Jadensmommy. The usual life of a carseat that has not be in an accident is 5-6 years if you can't find the date on the carseat. It may vary from company to company and from model to model. If you aren't sure, you can always call the company or look up your model number on the company website if you need questions or for more information.

Excellent post mominashoe!!!!

also, the minimum guidelines for rear-facing is 1 year and 20 pounds. it is much safer to leave them rear-facing for as long as possible and most convertible seats go up to at least 30 pounds rear-facing. the AAP actually recommends you rear-face until they reach the limits of their carseat.

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/c ontent/full/pediatrics;109/3/550

1. Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 lb to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Infants who weigh 20 lb before 1 year of age should ride rear facing in a convertible seat or infant seat approved for higher weights until at least 1 year of age.3,4 If a car safety seat accommodates children rear facing to higher weights, for optimal protection, the child should remain rear facing until reaching the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.

their legs do not matter when it comes to rear-facing. what you are protecting is their still developing neck and spine.

this first link explains what the crash forces can do to an immature neck/spinal column.

http://www.carseatsite.com/rear-face_artic le.htm

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearf acing.aspx

http://www.carseatsite.com/rf.htm

Babies are always a mess. Consider purchasing a seat with a removable infant car seat cover so that you can keep the car seat clean. It may be tough to find this feature because many car seats do not come with removable infant car seat covers. Avoid car seats that require you to fasten the seatbelt in the rear of the seat. The seatbelt adjustment should be easy to reach.

Thanks for the safety precautions given while using the toddler car seats. I really don't know about that there will be expiry date of the child car seats. I am planning to have a car seat. Can you tell me where the manufacturing date will be there on the car seat.

Yes there will be expiry date for all the car seats. You need to check the expiry date before purchasing the car seat. This is for the safety of you child. If you are planning to buy an old used car seat the its definitely important to check the expiry date. Be sure that you provide necessary safety to your child.

Thanks Jadensmommy. I was un-informed about expiry date of the child car seats. Which are safe carseats? What if a carseat doesn't have any expiration date mentioned?