I'm also a huge car seat fanatic...it's 20lbs and 1 year as a min. but, it is highly recommened to keep children facing backwards as long as possible (better neck support).
thanks goodness I was this type of fanatic...when our daughter was 13 months we were in a head on collision about 45mph (mini van was totaled) but, our little girl was safe and snug (her side of the door was all crushed in too).
she was in a convertible carseat until about 16 months and was perfectly happy.
our son just turned 1 year and is already 24lbs...but, he will be facing backwards for awhile (he also doesn't mind, he can see his big sister better)
you never ever know when you will be in a car accident...our accident was out of the blue (on Father's day, coming back from the beach) someone pulled right out in front of us
they make some great convertible carseats...we have a Evenflo triumph but, I also would recommend a Britax that has a higher weight limit (when you do turn them forward), most of them only go to 40lbs (facing forward) and our daughter reached that right when she turned 3 years...and then she had to go into a highback booster seat.
Chris
__________________
paper chase begins
hs 2/2005
dossier 03/2005
referral accepted "it's a boy" 4/05 dob: 06Dec2004
CIS clearance 4/05
FC 4/28
in PGN 5/5, no preapproval
DNA 5/20 99.99%
PGN k/o ?? for no preapproval
preapproval 6/22
back to pgn 6/23
going to foster 7/4
out of pgn 7/6
GC BC
home 08/12/2005
