Nanny Using Infant Car Seat with No Base

rmalone913

We're going to be starting with a nanny share this week for my 7 month old son. While I wait to get another carseat base for the nanny, she suggested she strap the infant carrier, without a base, into her car.  She explained that she puts the car seat buckle through the top slots of the Graco car seat base (where the foot warmer hooks on.) She said she does it all the time with the other baby she's watching, and it's really secure.  I asked the other mom about it, and she agreed that it's really secure.  I can't imagine it's very safe, and I'm a firm believe of trusting my gut.  Before I jump to the conclusion that this isn't safe, I'd love to hear other opinions, in case using a carrier without a base is common, and just something I'm not familiar with. 

Thanks in advance,

Rachel

Bronxgirl73

It is safe and a legitimate function of the seat.  It is more work and you have to be vigilant each time you put the seat in the car, as opposed to having a base already installed where you can just snap the seat in.

KarBear

Yeah, it is possible to do that with the Graco seats, but I would make sure to find the manual or look online for the directions to make sure it's done right.

kim_and_tony

It is listed in the manual.  If I were you, I would have the nanny install it in her car and you check it over.  If she isn't as picky about it as you would like her to be, don't let her do it that way. 

Jelliebean1982

It's very common, but get out the manual and have her show you how she does it so you can check and make sure if it's secure.  It'll give you more piece of mind. 

2bWednDec

Yep, I had two graco infant seats and both manuals state the base is not required...that it's for convenience only.  I too was surprised when I learned this.

EuroChick

100% safe as long as you follow the guidelines.  In fact we never even had a base for our maxi-cosi because the seat belt attachment was so easy and function.  Honestly the whole base thing is a convenience item and the car seat companies make a fortune off selling the extra bases which aren't really necessary.

flyer23

We did it all the time when traveling. It is very easy, but like a pp said, it has to be reinstalled every time the nanny takes your son out of the seat, so you need to trust that she'll do it right.

Another option would be to give her your base (or one of your bases, if you have ones in two cars) and then YOU do the seatbelt-only install in your car. Then you'll know it's being done right.

At 7 months old, I'm guessing your son won't be in the infant seat much longer unless he's a real peanut... so I would do what I could to avoid buying another base.

rmalone913

Thanks so much for the replys everyone.  I feel much better knowing that this is a Graco-approved method.  I'll definitely make sure I'm comfortable with the nanny installing the carseat this way.   Thanks again!

mysticporter

FYI, the Graco's are relatively easy to install without a base (or, I should say, ours is, it's a couple of years old).  One of the biggest inconveniences is making sure the angle is correct, and they have a little widget on the side that shows orange or blue depending on the tilt.  I don't remember which is 'right' (look in the manual), but you know it's OK when only one of the colors is visible.  At that point, as long as it is strapped in firmly, it's just as safe as in the base.  We do it all the time when we travel.  Sometimes you do have to use a rolled up towel to get the angle right (vs. the base which has several settings), but it's not any less safe (we had it inspected without the base once, and this was the recommendation of the fire station inspector).

BizEB

I never used my infant car seat base.  It is totally safe without it.