What I could just do, is plop the big kids in the cargo storage area in the back of the car. They'd love it.

There are lots plans in the works, with having Baby Zazu six months away from making this world his or her own.  I think you'll recall that once upon a time we were soooo sure that we were finished having kids, that we got rid of damn near every baby item we'd ever owned.  I sold the changing table, bassinet, high chair, stationary swing, and every last baby toy I could find in our yard sale.  I shipped all of Jack's infant clothes to a baby charity in Africa, and anything they couldn't use went to Goodwill.  I sold our Baby Bjorn, bottles and blankets on ebay.  I was finished with all of it, and I was happy to have it no longer cluttering up my house.

Cue baby number three.  Surprise!

There was one thing I did that worked in our favor, in this frenzy of Goodbye Baby Everything, and that was to pass on our infant car seat to Frema and Luke last summer, when Kara was on her way.  But what I didn't realize, that Bree later pointed out to me, was that the car seat was just about to hit its five year expiration date, having been originally purchased for KJ. 

Huh.  These things expire.

So baby Kara got a new seat, and then when the news of the Zazu broke, the old seat made its way back to our house.  It has spent the last couple months collecting shoes and miscellaneous scarves and mittens in the living room closet, until a few days ago when my hormones decided it was high time for a mental breakdown regarding finances.  I racked my brain to figure out how, while continuing to pay two mortgages, we could also re-buy everything we need for the baby, begin paying private school tuition, buy a larger car to fit our growing family, continue with plans for a Colorado road trip as well as plans to landscape the front of our new bare house, all during the course of the next few months.

And after losing my poor marbles for several days, and likely nixing the dreamy vacation I'm dying for, I unearthed the infant car seat on Saturday morning.  I handed it to Kevin and pushed him out the door with it, instructing him to do whatever he had to do, but cram that sucker into the back of our existing car.  Because, obviously, that will knock one item off my list of financial mountains to climb, and as a bonus I can continue driving my current car, which I do love.

I stood in the front window and watched him work in the driveway.  He pushed and pulled and ran around both sides of the car seventy-seven times, each time making me think for sure there was possible success.  And then finally, he gave me the thumbs-up. 

We do not have to buy a new car, sweet relief. 

We have to cram our tiny infant in between his or her giant brothers, without so much as a millimeter of space between them, (which is sure to mean the baby will never have a peaceful drive anywhere,) but we do not have to buy a new car. 

Now of course the remaining question, for all ye who parent, is what do you know about the whole car seat expiration date thing?  It's not that I wouldn't love a new, stylish, infant car seat, because I totally would.  But our seat was used for such a short time, barely six months with each child, it is in great shape and has never been in an accident.

Please allow three-day-old Jackson to model it for you, while it swallows his little four pound body whole. 

On the other side of this car seat expiration date debate, I must point out that I am a huge supporter of car seat safety for my kids, having happily paid nearly six hundred dollars for the safest seats I could find for KJ and Jack.  I would never intentionally put my new baby at risk to save us a couple hundred dollars, but on the other hand, do I really need to replace a perfectly good seat because of its age recommendation?  Do they recommend it be replaced every five years because of changing standards, or because something actually starts to go wrong with the seat?  And if the seat is good for five years, is it good for six?  You know you can still drink a gallon of milk a couple days after the expiration date is up, right?  What would you do?

Comments

[Erica]

Being the tightwad I am, I would check the seat over carefully for stress marks, and then probably use it. The reason for the experation is because the sun breaks down the plastic, etc. However, you didn't use the seat for 5 straight years. I think it is more of a safety measure for the people like your knucklehead Smith old neighbors, who leave those things lying around in the yard until the next one arrives. On the other hand, the hospital where I delivered Ben, gave us a free seat. Check on that! I sold all of my baby stuff too, then surprise! Ben was on his way. I got by w/ a lot less than I had w/ the other two. I did buy a bouncy seat, and another Baby Bjorn, cause that was a life saver my friend. It allowed me to put my 3 yr. old in the stroller, have a hand for the 5 year old and know that the Baaaaaby was safe. Hope you get that vacation. Have a good day.

[Brooke]

I would use it still like you said you're only going to use it for six months. I do not think that there is anything wrong with the seat I think the company just saves themselves from lawsuits, because it is such an old model. This way they can just say "well it's expired" but if there hasn't been any recalls on it so far I'm sure it's fine.

[Brooke]

or what Erica said...she posted her comment faster...I think it will be fine.

[auntie betty]

keep it

[Laylabean]

I would keep it too. But you may have to check with the hospital first. They were SO much stricter with us when we took Adam home compared to my girls seven years earlier. The nurse actually climbed in the back seat with him and checked/double checked that the straps were in the right places and everything was tight enough. There's a small chance they may not let you use an older-than-five-year seat.

And hooray for not having to buy a bigger car! I was afraid we would have to as well but our three kids fit just fine in the backseat of our car. Of course, my oldest isn't in a car seat anymore, so that helped.

[Marilyn]

I know exactly what it's like, to do the big "financial scramble". It's hard, having to get all new baby stuff all the time (or doubles in our case!). I don't know, we tend to put our money into carseats and scrimp elsewhere. (Uhm, just take our completely barren and overgrown with weeds backyard, for example) I think carseats expire for the reasons you said. That said, you know what works best. If you feel the seat is in good condition and the risks are minimal, then you gotta do what you gotta do. :)

[CIndy]

Hey, Are you guys coming up for the Twins club rummage sale?

Also, Leigh said she'd open her house (rummage sale) just for you.

let me know.

[Erika]

I would "forget" that that anyone told you about car seat expiration dates.

[debi]

Sounds like another way to suck money from people who are doing their best.Considering how much you spent on it I would guess it is a quality item and I would be keeping it.

[Kim]

I think it will be fine too. I got a new seat for my youngest - but ours was almost 7 years old and went thru 2 kids. As long as it has not been recalled, I think it should be fine at the hospital. My 7 and 4 1/2 yr olds have the same car seats - yes they are a lot of money but I feel so much better too!

[SJ]

Did you say Colorado roadtrip!? I think I drifted off at that moment....um something about a carseat?

Ha. Oh yeah, that's right.

I bet it's just fine. And I'd suggest doing research on the matter but I'm sure you already have or will.

Check out this link, maybe you'll win: http://www.5minutesformom.com/3078/evenflo-triumph-advance/

If I win, I will send it to you. Pinky swear.

[Frema]

Before I comment, quick question: Is there a reason you used the seat for such a short period of time?Since the boys were so small when they were born, I would've thought you'd be able to use it for longer. We don't plan on upgrading Kara's until she meets the weight *and* height requirement, since the rear-facing position is supposed to be safest for infants.

Honestly, I think the best person to ask would be a carseat inspector at your local fire station. They would be able to tell you why the car seats have expiration dates in the first place, and since they have no stake in what seat you buy, you know they aren't trying to give you a run for your money.

[Karen]

I agree with Frema. That is exactly what I would have said =) KJ had the same carseat as my son did. I bought a different one for my daughter for the simple fact I felt she needed a more feminine seat. How bad is that??

[Amy W]

I am with SJ, if I win that carseat, it's yours.

I think the old one is just fine. If I had one to send you, I would. But I am done with kids and am happily getting rid of all things related to babies. I may be crying while doing it, but I am doing it.

[liz]

whomever said babies are cheap LIED!
as for the carseat, i suspect it's more for the New! Improved! versions--and as long as it hasn't been in an accident and has no visable wear/tear, I think you're just fine.
We're considering buying Baby Clara a Britax right off the bat and using the infant seat positioners...especially since we're not sure what we did with Sam's infant seat!

[Hilary]

I think Frema said it best. I would probably keep it though.

[Rachel]

I would contact the manufacturer of the carseat. They may not all have the same recommendations. We had Haley's old carseat for Alyssa and I asked the manufacturer and was told that it was fine to use unless it has been in a wreck or was obviously not in good condition. Maybe check with your local police department or fire department. They are usually trained on how to put the seats in correctly, so they may have some advice for you also.

[BetteJo]

OMG. I had no idea those things expire but on the other hand - when my kids were born they were only STARTING to require car seats for kids.
I may be cynical but couldn't it just be the manufacturers way of getting people to buy a new car seat after a certain length of time? I mean - they are so well made these days - why else would you if they'd never been damaged?