Small Babies in Seats

Brendan's Mom

New member
A friend who works in a NICU was talking to me about a problem they are having. As they discharge a patient they make sure they are in a properly weighted seats. Many parents have to go buy a new seat to accomodate their 4 lb baby. Kids less than 4 pounds are required to go in a carbed. Do we have any info or evidence on how 3 or 4lb kids do in a carseat? Do we know how the manufactures come up with the lower end weight limits? Are carbeds crash tested? I have never seen one.
 
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Pixels

New member
Carbeds are crash tested, but they are not held to the exact same standards as a normal carseat. Some of the exemptions from testing are because it just wouldn't make sense with a carbed (for example, no downward rotation component). I haven't looked carefully at FMVSS 213 to see if there are other exemptions that may lead me to believe that a carbed may be less safe than a carseat for a child who will fit either. I do know that the incline of a carseat is safer than a car bed in a crash, since the shell takes the force and the harness is just holding baby in the shell, whereas in a car bed the harness is doing a lot more work. But for a baby who needs the lay-flat of a carbed due to airway issues, of course a car bed is safer.

I don't know how manufacturers come up with their bottom weight limit. I haven't seen anything in FMVSS 213 that says that a seat rated below 5 pounds is tested differently than one rated from 5 pounds. I haven't looked carefully for that detail, but I haven't seen it during general reading.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
FYI, tell your friend that 2010 Coccoros are rated from 3 pounds. They're convertibles, not infant seats. Keyfits and the Onboards are from four pounds. There may be others, but we know those two infant seats fit tiny babies well.

Wendy
 

thepeach80

Senior Community Member
The Britax Chaperone starts at 4# and the low birthweight foam that comes w/ them is great.

The Combi seats start at birth, there is no lower limit assuming the straps get tight enough on baby and things fit, even if the straps are above the shoulers.
 

cookie123

New member
Is it the Combi that has the problem with the lap straps being too far out on the legs?

Also wanted to mention the On Board, some of which have the 4 lbs limit.

Not that any of that addresses op's question. Sorry.
 

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