Using 1 older car seat

sasky

If you saved an infant car seat (non-expired) from a previous child, or if you were offered one from someone else, did you use it (or do you plan to) and then buy a new 2nd new one?

We won't be using the infant seat from our 4-year-old since it's cutting it too close to expiring. But we have been offered a seat from a friend whose boy is around 1-year-old.

I just feel weird having one be new and the other be used. Like they should either both be used, preferably by twins, or both be new. Of course we want to save money, but this is one area where I'd rather buy new. DH doesn't think it's a big deal.

Am I being too picky?

Jamie718

I'm using my 3 yr olds infant seat for one of the twins and then got another one of the same brand for the other.  It's still really clean and in good condition so I don't think it matters.  I would definitely rather save the money, you'll need it for other stuff

dmurrie

Ditto. We'll be using our 3 year olds for one of the twins and getting one new.

bumpuser924057

I used my older DS's infant seat and was lucky enough to find a matching one on clearance at Target for 50% off. I didn't really make a decision as to who got the old one - it was in good enough condition that it wasn't immediately obvious which was which after the first couple weeks anyway, and I often put the wrong kid down in the seat and then just adjusted the straps, so they each got a few turns in the new one .

I am also using DS's old convertible for the twins and added a new one alongside it. My little girl has the old one simply because I happened to carry her out of the house first that day. She won't remember!

Dragonfly1226

We are using DS's old car seat for K and bought a second for A. Since we knew the seat was not in an accident, wasn't expired, and that we had taken care of it we felt safe using it again. I wouldn't buy a used seat or take one from someone else though.

A was two pounds lighter than K so she got the seat with the lower weight limit.

dmurrie

That's how we plan on deciding who gets DD's old seat. Smaller baby. (It has a 22lb limit. The new one will be a 30lb)

Wishing35

Am I the only one who doesn't have assigned seats? They are almost the same exact height and weight, I never even thought about it.

bumpuser924057

Wishing35 said:

Am I the only one who doesn't have assigned seats? They are almost the same exact height and weight, I never even thought about it.

If that were the case here, then sure, but my girl is almost two pounds heavier and my boy has shorter legs and a longer torso than she does.  The straps fit them very differently and it's kind of a pain to adjust them every time in the convertibles. 

jquirke9881

I used my older daughter's seat for 1 of the twins.  She was barely 2 when they were born so it was still fine to use.

JodiAriel

Do you trust your friends with your childs life?  You would need to know that the seat has never been dropped, checked as baggage, had the straps saturated or washed with any chemicals, etc.  There are too many what if's to make me comfortable using a used seat from someone else. 
I am saving one of my infant seats in case we have another baby in the next year or two but if I didnt have that I would buy new seats.