Carseat Question

Gracey_Manor Maid

DH and I have narrowed down the carseat choice to two diffrent ones. One is an infant carseat and one is a convertible carseat. I like the convertible one because we can use it longer. DH likes the infant one because we won't wake the babe if he/she is asleep getting them in and out of the car. He also said he would feel better having a new carseat as the baby gets older because he is afraid the old one will expire. What do you ladies think? do you have a prefrence between infant and convertible?

AMYfromKY

If you can afford to get the infant seat and then a convertible seat later that is probably the best.  Infant seats are safer because they are made for small babies as opposed to convertibles that are made for small-larger babies. 

Also, your DH makes a good point about the sleeping baby.  Think about if you all were going out to eat and your LO fell asleep...would you really want to wake him up?  I know I wouldn't!

twinmommy13

I was VERY lad to have the infant carriers with my twins when they were born and they can be used for quite a while as rear-acing seats...even when they're too heavy to carry. That is what I am doing this time and we got an extra base too. After 1 year...we will switch to the convertible/toddler seats. Chances are you will end up needing 2 anyway- this mkes the most sense to me!

Gracey_Manor Maid

very good points ladies thanks!

ninasc

You should also check with the hospital where you are delivering--mine requires all babies to be in an an infant car seat when taken home.

Brooke208

I say both, if you can swing it.  While you won't use the infant seat for a whole year, it's best in the beginning.  And a convertible carseat is a must for later, as you want your child in a 5 point harness for as long as possible.  Also research the benefits of extended rear facing.  You'll be amazed at all the safety issues you find with forward facing too soon!  We used an infant carrier until DS was 7 months and then a Britax, which he is still in.  Our Britax rear faced until he was 35 pounds, which was a huge plus for us.  It also keeps him in a 5 point harness until 65 pounds.  We'll do the same for DD. 

anakin

I prefer both if you are in a position to afford it.  And the average expiration date on a carseat is 6 years from the manufacture date.  I had to look this up today because DH was concerned that our Britax Marathons were expired.  But each car seat is different.  Take the ones you are thinking about and do a google search for their expiration date.

And don't forget that if you get the convertible and decide after baby is born that you really want an infant seat you can put the converitible aside and buy an infant seat.

But before you do that check with your hospital.  I have also heard that certain ones will not let you leave without an infant seat.

MissyC979

We are starting with an infant seat, then we'll buy a convertible one later.

mwalliser

The infant car seat is definitely a good thing to have.  DD often falls asleep in the seat and I'd hate to have to wake her up every time we had to get out of the car.

pregnantchica

If you are concerned about money matters, you can always put it on your registry.  Also, you do not have to purchase the convertible for almost a year. 

princess4u81

trust me you will want a infant car seat. They are fabulous for caring around your LO. I used mine for over a year bc DD was on the small side. I then got the convertible car seat later

Alyssajoy87

DH and I registered for both. We really want to be able to take our LO out of the car in the carseat if he or she is still sleeping, but plan to use the convertible after our child outgrows the first seat (or when he or she gets a little brother or sister!).