Yes most kids should transition around d 12 months from an infant seat to a “convertible” car seat. I just transitioned my second at 15 months because well, second child, so don’t worry about it but just get a convertible. They work differently - they stay in the car almost always (they are much heavier!) but will be more comfortable and most you can tear face in til at least 3. 2 is the law but most recommend going longer than that unless other issues like car sickness.

For my oldest we had the graco extend2fit because he was a big kid and I wanted him to be able to rear face for a good while. My second just went into a Clek fllo. Oldest is 4.5 now and transitioned at maybe 3.5 to a graco tranzitions forward facing which has been great. I’ve never LOVED any of our convertible car seats, they are fine but are just car seats. The graco was easier to install but the clek takes up a little less space in the car.

I would imagine she has outgrown her seat by height (doesn’t go by length but by her head height relative to her seat). I’d get a new seat asap bc my 4 kids each outgrew their infant seat by about 8 months.

The old standard used to be rear favcing until 2 but now it is recommended to go much longer. I’d go to buy buy baby or somewhere you can see the seats in person. Not all rear seats fit well in all cars. If width is an issue go for the clek or radian. Don’t worry about having to get one that then converts to a booster. Many of those seats cost more than what you’d spend if you bought a toddler seat now and a booster later and if you are going to have more kids you’ll probably want your toddler seat then for the 2nd.

Yeah you should’ve moved her out of the infant seat months ago. Get a convertible seat.

I've never used the infant seat beyond 3 months. They're all thrilled to get more room and sit up slightly more. I RF until 3-3.5.

Mine were out of their infant seats by 9-10 months. It was too heavy to take out of the car with them in it, so we went to convertible seats. We used those backwards until about 2.5, and then forward facing until age 5/5.5. Then we used them as a high backed booster. By age 6 we moved to a low back booster, but my kids are pretty tall.

We liked Diono RXT, but it was a huge space hog when backwards. It’s heavy too. Otherwise, great seat.

Your daughter has probably outgrown the seat. Is her head over the top?

My kids were thrilled to move to the bigger rear facing seat. Super happy about it, so you should try it.

We stopped the bucket seat around 9 months when it got to heavy to lift in and out of the car and switched to a Britax convertible seat where they stayed rear-facing until about age 3 and forward facing until Kindergarten.

OP:

Please read

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

I found the Britax easier to use but I have the Clek Fllo (I think, there are two similar names). It’s harder to install but allows RFing for the longest.

read your owner's manual for the infant seat to check the height and weight maximum. I think mine grew out of the seat around 8 or 9 months.

we have the graco slimfit 3

No, she's too long for an infant seat. The longer you keep her RF, the safer but you can do it in a convertible.

Thank you so much! Would greatly appreciate any more input on brands to purchase

Yes you move to a convertible seat that they're in rear facing until you flip them around at 2.

We have tried a lot and liked the Britax boulevard click right.

Check the height and weight of your seat. She may well be over the maximum. Look for a convertible seat which can rear face and forward face. Most people on here will tell you to rear face well behind 2 due to safety reasons. The Gracco 4ever is a great seat that will grow with them until they are about 13.

I’m sure I’ll get flamed for my ignorance in this but FTM here. I know babies are supposed to stay rear facing until two, but is that in the same car seat? My daughter is almost 16 months and is 27 pounds- 95% for height and weight. She seems a little scrunched in her infant car seat still. Is there a toddler car seat to upgrade to that’s still rear facing? Thanks for your help.