Convertible car seat question

bluek210

My 4 month old is a giant baby and is getting too heavy to carry around in his infant carrier car seat (Chicco keyfit30).  He's also 28 inches already, which is getting very close to the 30 inch height limit on the Keyfit, so we decided to bite the bullet and get a convertible carseat this week.  I'm about to install it, but...

I was wondering what do you guys do with your babies when you no longer have the carrier and want to go to a restaurant or doctor's appointment or something?  We have a nice stroller, but it's biggish and wouldn't really be convenient in a restaurant or office type situation.  He's not sitting up by himself so can't really do a high chair.  We ergo at the grocery store and Target and stuff, but it seems like there are plenty of situations where that won't work.

Would love any input or advice! My husband things we should keep him in the infant seat as long as he meets the size requirements, but at 18.5 lbs, I just can't lug him around in that thing anymore!

4legsRbest

I agree that it is probably time for the convertible, too.

I also just used my ergo and ring sling. But we were in the infant seat for a while because I have a tiny tot. But we also got a cheap, small umbrella stroller for the times when I know I can't carry him for that long. I have not used his key fit stroller once. That thing is a monster. Worst purchase ever. I didn't feel like dr appts, or going out to eat was an issue, because we were usually sitting most of the time, shopping was our major issue. I think you will be surprised how much will change in the next 2 months so I personally wouldn't invest too much money in anything. Waking him up from naps to get out of the car was the biggest drawback - it was so nice when he could sleep in his car seat in Target!

pb_bride

4 months seem maybe a bit too young for an umbrella stroller?  M was big for his age but we managed to keep him in his infant seat until 7months.  TBH, we almost never went out to restaurants with him until he was >6m, prior to that, he inadvertently would wake up and scream the second we enter the restaurant.  (anyway, the few times we tried, DH was the one who carried the bucket seat.)

Do you have a snap-n-go?  We had one for the infant seat so all I had to "lug" was from car onto the snap-n-go, and then I just push the stroller to whereever I need to go, including doctor's appts, library story times, small shopping trips (the snap-n-go has a huge basket).  If you don't have a snap-n-go now, I'm not sure if it's worth spending the money to buy one just to use it for a couple of months.  Having said that, I bought one off CL and sold it back on CL for $5 less than what I paid for, so that could be an option for you?

fullfhope

We are also moving to convertible from the keyfit 30, but my LO is 12 mos so different situation. We did buy the umbrella stroller made by chicco that actually fits the infant seat one way, and then zips into an umbrella stroller another way. I think it is the "lite way plus". Not cheap, it does recline which is good for naps. It is heavy though for an umbrella stroller. Pros and cons, just wanted to throw it out there as an idea for you.

luvboston

I have a bad back my baby was never in a infant seat, I have a baby jogger city select and take it everywhere even doctors and restaurants I have never had a problem. Some people I know have an umbrella stroller but the problem is then you have to lug all the diaper bag and stuff on your shoulder.

kmc84

@bluek210
Can I ask what seat you got for your super tall baby?

BabyKsMommy

I also moved my ds to a convertible carseat at 4 months. The first months were the hardest. At restaurants I would just hold him and eat one handed. Or if it was a big enough booth I would lay him down on a blanket next to me and use my leg as a guard to make sure he wouldn't fall off. At target I would use my carrier.

Honestly I think it's one of the best things I ever did moving him so early because now he can fall asleep in he car and I can transfer him to his bed no problem. But it does make running errands during nap time very hard.

bluek210

Thanks for all the responses! We got the peg perego convertible and it seems great. It has a taller shell than the britax and I liked the side impact protection.

I have the uppababy Cruz and have been using it like a snap n go with the chicco adapter, so for errands I think that should work. I LOVE that stroller, for anyone curious. Not as huge/heavy/expensive as the vista but with most of the great features. Best purchase.

I tried him out in the inglesina fast chair tonight that my friend gave us, and I was surprised to see him managing sitting in it so well. Another option for restaurants I think. We take him out a LOT. I realize it's pretty silly that my big concern is what to do at a restaurant! I think we will keep the chicco base in my husband's car, so if we really need to have him contained we can use the keyfit until he officially outgrows it. Daddy is 6'8", so I imagine it won't be long!

Here he is in the inglesina chair at home! No idea how to rotate the pic from my phone!