Car Seats - From 9 months or 9 kg

[Flossie69]

I have seen alot of car seat specs say they are from 9 months, then say 9 kg. My DD is on the 25th centile - so wont reach 9kg until she is about 15 months. Do I need to wait until then to put her in the next stage car seat, or can I do it from 9 months?

Thanks

wait

The 9kg is the absolute minimum weight, not a target to be reached as soon as possible.

It's far safer to stay rear facing for as long as possible.

weight is most important so keep your lo is her seat until she reaches the maximum weight for it or her head comes above the headrest. There is no need to move at 9kg as the infant carriers normally do them until they are 13kgs.

You will find she is so much stronger when she is 15mths my dd1 didn't reach it until she was 18mths. she looked so much stronger than she did when she was nine mouth. I could have kept her in the seat full longer but it didn't have a base so I struggled to get it strapped as she pushed her legs against the seat.

It is not significantly easier to have them in the next stage seat. They are harder to move between cars.

Wait.
When I was dithering about this, Silver Cross changed their recommendations and weights so that babies stayed longer in the rear facing seats.