infant seat lowest slot height

[ntrenary]

My niece is expecting her 1st baby in April! yay!
I'm of course already researching the best carseat for her, but I've run into a issue that I haven't seen posted here, (although I admit I don't pay much attention to the infant stuff anymore.
Anyway, what is the average newborn torso length? I've noticed the lowest harness slots are anywhere from 5-10+". I've made a list of all the seats that have 5-7" bottom slots, but I'm wondering if I can look at seats with higher slots than that.

 

[carseatcoach]

I wouldn't look at a seat for a newborn with the lowest slot at 7" or above, and even that is stretching it IMO. You don't know the baby's size and shape, and it's best to be prepared for a small or leggy baby.

 

[Keeyamah]

I wouldn't look at a seat for a newborn with the lowest slot at 7" or above, and even that is stretching it IMO. You don't know the baby's size and shape, and it's best to be prepared for a small or leggy baby.

:yeahthat: My boys were both 8lbs and some odd ounces, and 21 inches long at birth. And I had a First years True Fit for the oldest, with infant padding (bottom slots of 7.5") his shoulders were JUST at the slot. Little brother came home in a Costco Scenera (had been it bro's back up seat) and it has slots of 6.75? Or is it 6.25? Anyways, they were just below his shoulders. So I'd stick to 5 or 6 inch slots,personally.

 

[ntrenary]

Thank you both. Neither my niece or her BF are tall so I'm sure the baby will be a peanut. I'll stick with the seats with lower bottom slots. So far the onboard is my 1st choice because of price and length of use.

 

[Kecia]

The onBoard is a great seat overall and even the budget version will be getting the new base with 5 recline positions. http://carseatblog.com/29421/

The only downside to the onBoard is that it takes up a lot of front-to-back space because it's so tall. If they have a roomy back seat then it shouldn't be an issue. Or if you can fit it in the center position and clear the front seats then it will be fine too.

 

[ntrenary]

My niece drives a ford fusion. It seems like it has a pretty big back seat, but we'll definitely try the seat in it before we buy it.

 

[bnsnyde]

Ours are 9lb 6 oz., 9 lb. 4 oz, etc. Tall at 22 inches.
Dad is 6'4".

And the first month I find it a very tedious, difficult process to buckle a newborn. They are just so small. ALL of my seats, it's an issue. Not that they don't fit...just...when they get some fat on them and a tad bit bigger, it's much, much easier to get a good fit.