Do you replace your carseat once it's expired?

ra_mom ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:32 pm

amother OP wrote:

how important is it to replace your carseat once its expired?

asking specifically about my doona

Replacing an expired car seat is crucial because materials like plastic and foam degrade over time (not visible to the naked eye). These materials won't hold a baby tied in chas vishalom in the case of a car crash, lo aleinu.

amother

Crocus ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:37 pm

amother Mocha wrote:

No. I still use the same car seat that I got 14 years ago. I just don't believe that car seats expire. I never heard that a baby was in a car accident and the car seat broke because it expired

Why take the risk? I have an infant car seat I’m looking to give away, and would be happy to give it to you. It’s not worth taking even a tiny chance with your baby’s life!

amother

↑ Bisque ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:41 pm

All babies that die or are severely injured, were not in correct car seats. Whether it was expired, installed incorrectly, not buckled correctly, or using the wrong stage one. They literally save lives 100% of the time if they are used correctly. I do not understand this at all. This is the one thing everyone should be investing in. How is it even a question.

mom24.7

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:44 pm

amother Bisque wrote:

Proof?

amother

↑ Bisque ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:45 pm

mom24.7 wrote:

Proof?

You can look up the info, you can even just read the accident reports in your area and see what was written about the baby if there were any deaths. It’s all around you should you choose to care.

amother

Cognac ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:18 pm

Yes. I also buy car seats with a longer life like diono and clek (they are also slim and hold tall children so last long worth their buck.
..we also use the car sears with all buckles closed correctly right without coats on and stay rear facing until age 4

amother

↑ Crocus

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:26 pm

amother Cognac wrote:

Yes. I also but car seats with a longer life like diono and clek (they are also slim and hold tall children so last long worth their buck.
..we also use the car sears with all buckles closed correctly right without coats on and stay rear facing until age 4

Off topic, but your almost four year olds are ok being rear facing?

amother

Brunette

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:27 pm

Iymnok wrote:

Think about it, sometimes the car gets really hot. Or really cold.
Those extremes and changes really weaken plastic and Styrofoam.

This logic is not applicable to the doona, which is not usually left in the car.

challahchallah

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:30 pm

amother Crocus wrote:

Off topic, but your almost four year olds are ok being rear facing?

We also rear face as long as possible until at least 4 and haven’t had an issue. It’s a safety issue, so we don’t present it as a choice. We haven’t had any major battles over it, but we wouldn’t compromise on safety because of our 3 year old’s opinion anyway.

ETA: We do also always replace expired car seats. Target has a trade in event a couple times a year which gets you 20% off on the new one though so it’s worth saving for that if you can make the timing work.

Last edited by challahchallah on Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total

keym

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:37 pm

amother Brunette wrote:

This logic is not applicable to the doona, which is not usually left in the car.

Except the Doona has its own wear and tear. The schlepping and banging and bumping up stairs and down stairs even more

amother

Blue

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:47 pm

Absolutely yes! Please please don’t use an expired car seat. Is your kids life really worth less than a few hundred dollars? Ch”v if something serious were to happen you’d spend Hundreds of Thousands to help them so why not a few hundred? If you really can’t afford it try seeing if someone is giving away a car seat or is selling for a discount. (But even there you have to be careful and make sure the car seat was never in a car accident).

For those asking about rear facing until 4, my older ones I rear faced til 2, but now I’m rear facing until 4 and my 3.5 year old has no objections, this is his car seat and that’s the way he sits, it’s just regular life to him.

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 2:59 pm

we only used our doona for abt a yr for 2 kids...so even if the expiration date passed, it was used for very little amount of time.
does anyone know what the manufacturer takes into account by putting dates?

amother

↑ Cognac ↓

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 3:05 pm

amother Mocha wrote:

No. I still use the same car seat that I got 14 years ago. I just don't believe that car seats expire. I never heard that a baby was in a car accident and the car seat broke because it expired

Did you replace your clothing? Washing machine, car or sheitle in those 14 years? Many items don't last for ever . A car seat is exposed to extreme temperatures which weaken the materials. Times change and advances are made. New safety regulations and upgraded technology.
I know somewhere changed her chandelier 3 times but prides herself on using same car seat for all her children.
Our children are our most precious possessions. Totally irreplaceable.
Let's provide them with the safest transportation possible.
I'm sorry but your response sounds ignorant and nonchalant about something so important

amother

↑ Cognac

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 3:08 pm

amother Crocus wrote:

Off topic, but your almost four year olds are ok being rear facing?

Sure. They are in a car seat meant for their size and they pretzel feet. They're posture is better if they fall asleep don't head hang.
Some children have a heart time with car rules they must learn to follow the rules no matter how they are sitting

amother

Nutmeg

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 3:18 pm

I really can’t understand parents or even adults who choose convenience over the baby’s life. I was driving today and there was a toddler standing by the driver’s armrest. Not buckled standing up!!! Mind you I only saw because the driver was pushing her way through a stop sign that she had to wait and I had the right of way.
Please don’t play games with your children’s lives. Replace car seats as needed keep your babies rear facing buckle up properly it saves lives.

↑ Brit in Israel

Tue, Nov 19 2024, 3:22 pm

amother OP wrote:

Is doesn't matter if it was used daily or only once.
The plastic and foam is only so strong for so long.
It like the plastic slides and swings after a few years they start cracking and crumbling it doesn't matter how many times your kids played on it. That's essentially what will happen to your carseat but at the beginning we don't see it it's only seen by an accident when it just cracks and folds with the impact instead of holding the baby.

ETA it's only not safe to use as a car seat. If your baby has reflux or something and naps in the carseat you can use it past it's date in the house like you would any stroller. Although for the baby's spine it's better to put them in a half reclined stroller than car seat.... Don't want to start a new convo!