2nd time moms: Question about carseats

CapitolBaby

I have a registry question for 2nd time moms...

My husband and I live in a 1 bedroom, and won't be moving to a house until at least next fall.

We are registering for the Graco Snugride 32 infant carseat along with Snap n Go.  My quesiton is: as long as we're using this carseat, I'll will not need a larger convertable carseat anytime soon, correct?  I'd like to steer clear from purchasing or registering for things we won't use right away, because we're already really limited on space.

Thank you!!!!!!

Shell24

You shouldn't, unless you have a superlarge baby!  Keep in mind that just because the weight goes to 32, you still have to monitor the height to make sure your LO doesn't outgrow it that way. 

I know my DD outgrew the height way before the weight.

We switched her to the convertible seat at about 8-9 months, but I would consider her to have been a larger baby, always in the 95% for both height and weight.  Most people can keep their LO's in for a year.

Lori7/3/03

totally depends. We had a peg perego infant car seat for DS and he sweat like a pig in it! we ended up moving him out of it at 4 months and into a britax...and he was not a big baby.

mfield

We switched to a convertable carseat when she was about 7-8 months (I think).  She was still within the weight limit for the snug ride, but it got so heavy to carry!

Remember to get a second base for your snugride!

daisyterp

I take it the snugride 32 has a weight limit of 32 lbs?

Then, yeah, chances are that car seat should last you a while.  We have the original snugride and my DD is a stringbean and was in it until she was 16 months.  I didn't tote her around much in the infant carrier @ that point, but would just leave it in the car.

You actually don't want to buy a convertible car seat far in advance because they are only good for 5 yrs from manufacture, so if they are sitting around unused it's money wasted.  We got a Britax for $100 off on clearance, but it sat on the shelf for a year and then DD didn't ride in it for another year, so it really wasn't much of a savings.

This all being said you will probably want to upgrade your stroller before you stop using the snugride.  My DD was really mobile @ 6 months & would not have been happy to be strapped in her car seat as her stroller.  

 

 

CapitolBaby

Perfect - that's all I needed.  Thank you SO much!!

daisyterp

one more thing- if you live in DC and plan on walking around outside w/ your DC, you will probably want a better stroller- the snap-n-go's are fine for in malls, etc., but it's nice to have something w/ a smoother ride for pavement, streets, etc.

CapitolBaby

daisyterp:

You actually don't want to buy a convertible car seat far in advance because they are only good for 5 yrs from manufacture, so if they are sitting around unused it's money wasted.  

Great point - thanks!!

CapitolBaby

daisyterp:

one more thing- if you live in DC and plan on walking around outside w/ your DC, you will probably want a better stroller- the snap-n-go's are fine for in malls, etc., but it's nice to have something w/ a smoother ride for pavement, streets, etc.

Yep, I will also be registering for the Joovy Kooper stroller.  In reviews, people rave about it

chris27

I would check the height restrictions too. DD#1 stayed in her carseat for 7 months but got too tall for it. DD#2 had to move to a convertible at 4 mos. She was 25 lbs at that time (the weight limit of ours). If so, then you should be fine.

Ciarrai

I think it really depends on you and your DC.  I hate the infant seats.  I'm tiny (5'1") and it's a PITA to carry them around.  I'd much rather use the sling or Bjorn, but it's nice that if the baby falls asleep in it, I don't have to move them.  My girls also both didn't like the infant seat at much as the convertible.  Admittedly, we have the Graco Snugride infant seat and the Britax Marathon convertible so the Britax is also a lot more expensive.  The convertible has way more padding and is at a slightly different angle (maybe 45 degrees instead of 30?) and they always seemed to like to sit up higher.  My point is that as soon as my LO can sit in a high chair at a restaurant and preferably in a grocery cart (though I can always wear them there), we move them into the convertible.  It's maybe around 5-6 months if not sooner.  They are so much happier riding in those and they feel more secure.  Just a personal preference, but I would almost go without the infant seat except for things like going out to dinner or shopping at the mall or something. 

MrsKLS

Our DD was off the charts in height (at 2yr old she is already 36in tall)....so we had to move her to the Britax by 5-6 mos old..her legs were just too long for the infant seat. If there is anyone tall in either of your families you just might consider registering for the convertible seat as well.