quick question about convertible seats

RussianMommy

it doesn't show in the photos, so I assume it doesn't, but do convertible seats have handles for when they are used for babies?

I like the idea of having a convertible seat because we can use it longer than an infant seat, but we also need the convenience of carrying the car seat in and out by the handle

also.. will any Graco seat fit any Graco stroller, or do they need to be made together? 

what to do, what to do? 

MrsWindyCity

No, convertibles don't have handles. I would definitely recommend an infant seat in the beginning - way easier. 

I don't know about Graco stroller capabilities but most stroller brands at this point have some sort of car seat adaptor that can be used to put the car seat into the stroller.

+RBL+

RussianMommy:

it doesn't show in the photos, so I assume it doesn't, but do convertible seats have handles for when they are used for babies?

I like the idea of having a convertible seat because we can use it longer than an infant seat, but we also need the convenience of carrying the car seat in and out by the handle

also.. will any Graco seat fit any Graco stroller, or do they need to be made together? 

what to do, what to do? 

 Do you mean carrying the car seat with baby in it? 

RussianMommy

MrsWindyCity:

No, convertibles don't have handles. I would definitely recommend an infant seat in the beginning - way easier. 

I don't know about Graco stroller capabilities but most stroller brands at this point have some sort of car seat adaptor that can be used to put the car seat into the stroller.

after they are done with an infant seat, is convertible the next seat they go into?

RussianMommy

+RBL+:

RussianMommy:

it doesn't show in the photos, so I assume it doesn't, but do convertible seats have handles for when they are used for babies?

I like the idea of having a convertible seat because we can use it longer than an infant seat, but we also need the convenience of carrying the car seat in and out by the handle

also.. will any Graco seat fit any Graco stroller, or do they need to be made together? 

what to do, what to do? 

 Do you mean carrying the car seat with baby in it? 

yes 

+RBL+

RussianMommy:

+RBL+:

RussianMommy:

it doesn't show in the photos, so I assume it doesn't, but do convertible seats have handles for when they are used for babies?

I like the idea of having a convertible seat because we can use it longer than an infant seat, but we also need the convenience of carrying the car seat in and out by the handle

also.. will any Graco seat fit any Graco stroller, or do they need to be made together? 

what to do, what to do? 

 Do you mean carrying the car seat with baby in it? 

yes 

 A convertible seat stays in the car, you have to take the baby out of the seat. 

dande2129

RussianMommy:

MrsWindyCity:

No, convertibles don't have handles. I would definitely recommend an infant seat in the beginning - way easier. 

I don't know about Graco stroller capabilities but most stroller brands at this point have some sort of car seat adaptor that can be used to put the car seat into the stroller.

after they are done with an infant seat, is convertible the next seat they go into?

Yes, and there are different options for convertible car seats as well. FI and I both just bought new carseats for DS. There are convertible car seats that only go up to a certain weight/height limit and then you have to buy a high back booster, then just a regular booster.

We both bought a carseat that is a 3 in 1, meaning that it is a convertible car seat, then the harness can be removed for a high back booster, and then the back can be removed to become just the booster seat. DS will use it, and LO will use the seat as a convertible seat when he has grown out of his infant car seat.

While some people don't like to lug around the infant car seat, I definitely didn't mind. It was easy to not have to risk waking a sleeping infant and just throwing a blanket over the seat. Some people prefer to just go right to a convertible that fits infants from 8+ pounds so they don't waste money on the infant car seat. It's up to you and your preference, though.

MrsWindyCity

RussianMommy:

MrsWindyCity:

No, convertibles don't have handles. I would definitely recommend an infant seat in the beginning - way easier. 

I don't know about Graco stroller capabilities but most stroller brands at this point have some sort of car seat adaptor that can be used to put the car seat into the stroller.

after they are done with an infant seat, is convertible the next seat they go into?

Yes, and generally they are in it for a while. DS will be 3 in April and has been in his for 2 years. He won't move to a booster until he's at least 4.  

ebp913

Get an infant seat like the Snugride and deal with the convertible seat purchase when you need to.  We only moved our DD when she turned 1 and I was glad that we didn't buy the seat I originally wanted from our registry as I found out later it really isn't a very practical seat and it wouldn't have fit in our cars.  

penguingrrl

No, convertible seats don't have handles. They also don't have bases, so it's not something you can use with the convenience of an infant seat if you're child likes the carseat (I never used my infant seat as a carrier with either of my two because they screamed nonstop in it). Removing it from the car means uninstalling it and having to install it again when you get back to the car, so not something you would want to do frequently.

doremi29

penguingrrl:

No, convertible seats don't have handles. They also don't have bases, so it's not something you can use with the convenience of an infant seat if you're child likes the carseat (I never used my infant seat as a carrier with either of my two because they screamed nonstop in it). Removing it from the car means uninstalling it and having to install it again when you get back to the car, so not something you would want to do frequently.

This, plus they're very heavy. 

Also, you mentioned Graco strollers working with seats- no convertible seats work with strollers- only infant seats.

nyki06

We used a convertible with our daughter from the beginning and will with this baby as well. The convenience factor is arguable. I found it to be more convenient to carry my daughter in the Moby when we weren't in the car vs carrying a heavy car seat. Ultimately it's an issue of preference.

RussianMommy

doremi29:

penguingrrl:

No, convertible seats don't have handles. They also don't have bases, so it's not something you can use with the convenience of an infant seat if you're child likes the carseat (I never used my infant seat as a carrier with either of my two because they screamed nonstop in it). Removing it from the car means uninstalling it and having to install it again when you get back to the car, so not something you would want to do frequently.

This, plus they're very heavy. 

Also, you mentioned Graco strollers working with seats- no convertible seats work with strollers- only infant seats.

ya, that is what I meant - infant seats working with all strollers 

dande2129

RussianMommy:

doremi29:

penguingrrl:

No, convertible seats don't have handles. They also don't have bases, so it's not something you can use with the convenience of an infant seat if you're child likes the carseat (I never used my infant seat as a carrier with either of my two because they screamed nonstop in it). Removing it from the car means uninstalling it and having to install it again when you get back to the car, so not something you would want to do frequently.

This, plus they're very heavy. 

Also, you mentioned Graco strollers working with seats- no convertible seats work with strollers- only infant seats.

ya, that is what I meant - infant seats working with all strollers 

I've never had an infant car seat that wasn't the same brand as the stroller, but then again, I've only ever owned one travel system. Most infant car seats will fit and lock into your basic travel system stroller, but if it doesn't, you can always buy an adapter for it. 

aprilsarahjune

nyki06:

We used a convertible with our daughter from the beginning and will with this baby as well. The convenience factor is arguable. I found it to be more convenient to carry my daughter in the Moby when we weren't in the car vs carrying a heavy car seat. Ultimately it's an issue of preference.

This.  My first kids are twins and there was no way I could lug 2 car seats around.  When I had them both out alone, I would put one in the stroller (transfer baby from carseat to stroller seat) and put the other in a B'jorn.  My girls will be 2 when this LO arrives, and I plan to use the stroller for the 2 year olds and carry the newborn in a B'jorn.  By the time he is too big for the B'jorn, he would also be too big for an infant seat anyway.

ally2011

nyki06:

We used a convertible with our daughter from the beginning and will with this baby as well. The convenience factor is arguable. I found it to be more convenient to carry my daughter in the Moby when we weren't in the car vs carrying a heavy car seat. Ultimately it's an issue of preference.

This is what we are going to try at first too.  We ordered the Britax Boulevard and the infant insert.  We have a Chicco Keyfit on loan from a friend in case she is way too small to go straight into it so we can bring her home.  If she is way too small, we will buy an infant seat to use, but plan to mostly leave it in the car.  I am hoping that it will work for us to go straight into the Boulevard however.  I want to baby wear and have read and discussed enough with other moms that I feel like this is reasonable.  I don't like the idea of lugging around an infant carrier personally. 

Juelsr

We used the Baby Trend Snap N Go with our Graco Snugride infant seat.  Pretty sure it is supposed to work with all major brand infant seats. (I think most of the pure infant seat carriers try to be universal).