convertible carseat question

nurseclare9

I'm thinking of opting out of the infant carseat. Since my baby is measuring large anyways I don't really want to spend the money to just get a couple of months out of it. If anyone else is doing/has done this, what do you do when you go somewhere like a restaurant etc? Without an infant seat I don't know where I would put the baby? Could I hold him in the front carrier? Is there some sort of baby seat/carrier I could get? My mom said she had something that was like a lighter version of an infant seat that she used for restaurants and I have no idea what she is talking about. The only thing I can think of is a smaller bouncer which seems to be even more expensive than the car seat. I'm thinking I may just start with the convertible carseat and wait to see if I think having the infant one would be worth it. Any suggestions?

BlueJewelM

I loved having an infant seat. It was just easy. I had a 9 lb 22 inch baby and used it until about 6 months. I switched him to a convertible then, but he could have stayed in the infant one until he was 30 inches tall, which for him was near 11 months.

Yes, they get heavy as baby grows but you don't HAVE to take it out of the car when that happens. This baby will stay in the infant seat as long as he will tolerate it. I'm hoping to get ds1 in a britax frontier and give ds2 the britax marathon so I don't have to own 2 convertibles.

If you do go with just the convertible, I highly recommend the britax marathon. I also really like a Recaro seat my BFF has.

On the lower end, the Evenflo brand seems to have some good choices as well! Good luck with your decision!

MrsNyberg09

Infant car seats go up to 25 lbs. you would get a lot of use out of it. But otherwise you could probably just baby wear to get around.

Soleil3

You can get about a year-ish out of a infant carrier, most kids outgrow the height long before the weight. But if a convertible would've fit in my car, we would've skipped the infant seat. We have mild winters and a garage, and I never leave the babe in the carseat when not in the car/driving so the pull out and cart around doesn't appeal to me.

punkin05

I would highly recommend getting an infant seat. I had DS in ours until he was about 6-7 months old (when he was strong enough to sit up unassisted and be put in a shopping cart). If you aren't planning on using the infant seat long, you can get one that has a 22lb weight limit. They tend to be much lighter than the 32 or 35lb infant seats. If you are just going to buy a baby seat/carrier, a lighter infant seat is pretty much the same thing.

Something else to think about if you aren't going with an infant seat: putting them in a carrier (like an ergo or moby) will work out well when they're first born, but what about in the winter weather? Is it going to be easy to strap a 3-4 month old into a carrier while you and they are bundled up for the cold weather? If you live in a warm climate, then this obviously is a non-issue, but here in Canada, it would be a real issue for me to consider.

My DS is in a convertible seat now (20 months), and we went with the Evenflo Symphony 3 in 1. I love it, and would highly recommend it for a convertible seat, but if I were you I would look into an infant seat. I bought a Graco Snugride and paid around $120 with shipping. Most infant seats can be bought for a steal if you watch sales or don't want too many bells and whistles.

MammaBear81

I wouldn't take "baby measuring large" = won't fit in infant seat long.  Even IF baby does come out at 9 pounds that does not mean they will continue to grow at that rate.  They don't really make infant carriers (that are not car seats) anymore, you can wear your infant, in a carrier or sling.

Soleil3

punkin05:

I would highly recommend getting an infant seat. I had DS in ours until he was about 6-7 months old (when he was strong enough to sit up unassisted and be put in a shopping cart). If you aren't planning on using the infant seat long, you can get one that has a 22lb weight limit. They tend to be much lighter than the 32 or 35lb infant seats. If you are just going to buy a baby seat/carrier, a lighter infant seat is pretty much the same thing.

*snip*

What? No.

WheeLinTheSky3

It really is a personal preference but I dont know what I would have done without mine.  DS only used it for 6 months, but that was my preference because I have a bad back and he was getting heavy.  Even for 6 months, it was worth every penny. He is now almost 2 and still hasnt reached 30 pounds (though he did outgrow the height requirement awhile ago).

I LOVED that seat. I could get him ready to go and tuck him into his carseat in the house, and then snap him into the backseat. If he was asleep when we arrived at our destination, we just kept him in the seat and carried him in until he was ready to wake up.  It was great to have a place to put him at a restaurant/the pediatrician's office waiting room, etc.

You can definitely get by without one but I loved mine and will be using it again this time for our second LO. 

If you do choose the convertible, I also love my Britax.  No matter what brand you choose, make sure it is intended for infant use. Dont buy one that requires an aftermarket infant insert. If the seat is truly safe for an infant, it should come equipped with everything it needs to make it safe.

atoz625

First off, I wouldn't trust the "baby is measuring large" comment, and I certainly wouldn't put stock in that making a desicion like this for you.  As some PP's said, you'll get a good year at least out of the infant seat.  I had a "large" son, and used the infant seat through 9 months, but he could have used it longer- he hadn't outgrown the weight or height limits.

It was a fantastic tool to have in the first few months, and beyond.  Absolutely worth it IMO.  We use the Chicco Keyfit 30, then switched to the Britax Boulevard CS 70 at 9 months.

Lovehavinggirls

I loved having the infant carrier for the grocery store/ target any place that has grocery carts and for restaurants. You could probably baby wear at the stores but I would not want to baby wear and eat dinner at a restaurant. Also a huge benefit is if LO falls asleep from point a to point b you don't have to worry about waking them up.

punkin05

Soleil3:

punkin05:

 If you are just going to buy a baby seat/carrier, a lighter infant seat is pretty much the same thing.

*snip*

What? No.

I read the OP in that she knew there were front carriers (like an ergo or similar), but then she also mentioned a carrier/baby seat so I was picturing a seat you strap baby into with a handle to carry it. Which is why I said it was pretty much the same thing as an infant seat. Are there actual carriers out there like this that aren't infant seats? I live in a small town so the baby gear here is pretty limited.

 

MammaBear81

punkin05:

Soleil3:

punkin05:

 If you are just going to buy a baby seat/carrier, a lighter infant seat is pretty much the same thing.

*snip*

What? No.

I read the OP in that she knew there were front carriers (like an ergo or similar), but then she also mentioned a carrier/baby seat so I was picturing a seat you strap baby into with a handle to carry it. Which is why I said it was pretty much the same thing as an infant seat. Are there actual carriers out there like this that aren't infant seats? I live in a small town so the baby gear here is pretty limited.

 

"back when we were young" (yes I feel old now) before they had infant seats that had bases, they had seats that looked just like them and people used the in their houses and to carry baby around, but not as a car seat.  As infant seats became more the norm, I think these were phased out.  I do have pics of me in one (it only has a three point plastic strap holding me in),

That.Just.Happened

I would never opt out of the infant seat precisely because there is no real other solution to your questions.  We eat out a LOT.  There really is no other option than to hold them the entire time, which is an enormous PITA if you are trying to eat. Basically you and DH have to take turns eating, which is no fun.  You can't easily wear them while sitting down at a table. 

Plus I can't imagine having to wake the baby to move them into/out of the car all the time, that would be a nightmare.

Unless you give birth to a 20lb baby, you will get more than a few months out of the infant seat.  They make ones that go up to 35lbs.  My 2.5 year old, who is in the 60% for weight and 90% for height still isn't 35lbs.

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

punkin05

MammaBear81:

punkin05:

I read the OP in that she knew there were front carriers (like an ergo or similar), but then she also mentioned a carrier/baby seat so I was picturing a seat you strap baby into with a handle to carry it. Which is why I said it was pretty much the same thing as an infant seat. Are there actual carriers out there like this that aren't infant seats? I live in a small town so the baby gear here is pretty limited.

 

"back when we were young" (yes I feel old now) before they had infant seats that had bases, they had seats that looked just like them and people used the in their houses and to carry baby around, but not as a car seat.  As infant seats became more the norm, I think these were phased out.  I do have pics of me in one (it only has a three point plastic strap holding me in),

Ah gotcha. I figured there was something I was missing. Thanks!

amarissa85

DS was born at 9.1 and 21.5 inches long and he still used the infant seat until about 7 months or so. He was a chunky baby through his infant stage but I got good use out of it and wouldn't think of skipping with this one either. I also used an infant with my DD and she was 8.3. She ended being on the slimmer side from my son for the first few months, but again I still got good use.

Soleil3

That.Just.Happened:

*snip*

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to clarify, this isn't true at all. All seats are thoroughly tested for safety, and the convertibles rated for 5+ lbs are included in that. They are no less safe than an infant seat with a proper fit.

MagPie 1986

We got a convertible seat and just plan on either keeping the LO in the stroller or baby wearing with a sling until they can sit in a highchair. 

It will work out just fine.  Don't let other people talk you out of what you think will be best for your family.  We would have needed 2 infant car seats because of our schedules and such.  For us, we didn't think it was a smart financial decision to have to invest in 2 infant seats and then 2 convertible seats soon after. 

MagPie 1986

That.Just.Happened:

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to reiterate again, this is not true.  They start at 5 lb and have been tested and approved for newborns. 

kkay1982

Kristin030:

I LOVED that seat. I could get him ready to go and tuck him into his carseat in the house, and then snap him into the backseat. If he was asleep when we arrived at our destination, we just kept him in the seat and carried him in until he was ready to wake up.nbsp; It was great to have a place to put him at a restaurant/the pediatrician's office waiting room, etc.

This. I am a FTM but have little siblings and watched babies a lot. To be able to take them in and out of the car without waking them up is a life saver.

lindsayanne14

MagPie 1986:

We got a convertible seat and just plan on either keeping the LO in the stroller or baby wearing with a sling until they can sit in a highchair.nbsp; It will work out just fine.nbsp; Don't let other people talk you out of what you think will be best for your family.nbsp; We would have needed 2 infant car seats because of our schedules and such.nbsp; For us, we didn't think it was a smart financial decision to have to invest in 2 infant seats and then 2 convertible seats soon after.nbsp;

This! We are also opting out of an infant carrier because of our lifestyle and what we feel will work best for us. I'm planning on baby wearing a lot and I also plan on getting a light weight fold up travel bassinet to take with us when I'm somewhere I don't want to baby wear. Worst case, we figure we can get an infant seat if we feel we need one!

BelhurstBride

I hated the infant seat and could have easily lived without it. On top of it all, DD hit the height requirement by 9 months and had to make the switch to the convertible. That's a lot of wasted plastic and money, IMHO, for 9 freaking months. 

We held or wore her in restaurants, the grocery store, running errands, ect.  It was much easier than lugging the infant seat around anyway. 

CitrusSwallowtail

adamnkel:

I loved having the infant carrier for the grocery store/ target any place that has grocery carts and for restaurants. You could probably baby wear at the stores but I would not want to baby wear and eat dinner at a restaurant. Also a huge benefit is if LO falls asleep from point a to point b you don't have to worry about waking them up.

This. Waking a sleeping baby to load them in or out of a car is certainly not optimal. The infant car seat makes it seamless to go anywhere while the baby is awake or sleeping.

atoz625

MagPie 1986:

That.Just.Happened:

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to reiterate again, this is not true.  They start at 5 lb and have been tested and approved for newborns. 

Approved is not the same as optimal.  I agree with the notion that an 8 lb slouchy baby isn't as well off in a convertible as an infant seat.  The infant seat is tested for just that- infants.  A convertible on the other hand has a much larger range to cater to.  Yes, the are approved, you are correct.  It may be personal preference still, but the infant seat seems much more appropriate if you have the means, and are only comparing the idea of which seat to use now vs. later.

I guess another thing is, I didn't really feel like we "lugged" it around.  I rarely carried it- it sat on a stroller, or like some other PPs said, could be used at dinner, or in a shopping cart (they don't recommend putting the car seat in that front area that say a toddler would sit in- the seat should go in the actual basket, which they don't all fit in...)

 

That.Just.Happened

atoz625:

MagPie 1986:

That.Just.Happened:

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to reiterate again, this is not true.  They start at 5 lb and have been tested and approved for newborns. 

Approved is not the same as optimal.  I agree with the notion that an 8 lb slouchy baby isn't as well off in a convertible as an infant seat.  The infant seat is tested for just that- infants.  A convertible on the other hand has a much larger range to cater to.  Yes, the are approved, you are correct.  It may be personal preference still, but the infant seat seems much more appropriate if you have the means, and are only comparing the idea of which seat to use now vs. later.

I guess another thing is, I didn't really feel like we "lugged" it around.  I rarely carried it- it sat on a stroller, or like some other PPs said, could be used at dinner, or in a shopping cart (they don't recommend putting the car seat in that front area that say a toddler would sit in- the seat should go in the actual basket, which they don't all fit in...)

 

Exactly.  Obviously they are approved for use from 5lbs.  That doesn't mean they are the safest option available. The same way we all research which car seat brand to buy based on safety ratings.  ALL carseats meet the same minimum safety standards.  Some go above and beyond those and get higher safety ratings. An infant seat, which is sized specifically for an infant, is going to be safer than a seat that is sized to accommodate a child ranging from 5 - 65+lbs.  

tokenhoser

Unless you're having a 20 lb baby, you'll get lots of use out of an infant seat.

If you really want to skip it, make sure you have a stroller that reclines all the way to flat and a good baby carrier (not a Bjorn/Snuggli/etc. that leaves the legs dangle straight).

Personally, I live in a place with Winter and the infant seat is a godsend for that reason alone. Getting a baby to and from the car when it's -30* is a pain, but it's slightly less painful with the bucket. I also adore my Snap n Go for malls, stores, etc.

BelhurstBride

That.Just.Happened:

atoz625:

MagPie 1986:

That.Just.Happened:

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to reiterate again, this is not true.  They start at 5 lb and have been tested and approved for newborns. 

Approved is not the same as optimal.  I agree with the notion that an 8 lb slouchy baby isn't as well off in a convertible as an infant seat.  The infant seat is tested for just that- infants.  A convertible on the other hand has a much larger range to cater to.  Yes, the are approved, you are correct.  It may be personal preference still, but the infant seat seems much more appropriate if you have the means, and are only comparing the idea of which seat to use now vs. later. 

Exactly.  Obviously they are approved for use from 5lbs.  That doesn't mean they are the safest option available. The same way we all research which car seat brand to buy based on safety ratings.  ALL carseats meet the same minimum safety standards.  Some go above and beyond those and get higher safety ratings. An infant seat, which is sized specifically for an infant, is going to be safer than a seat that is sized to accommodate a child ranging from 5 - 65+lbs.  

I'd love to see legit research on this. I've asked every time someone posts it and no one has responded to me.  

MagPie 1986

BelhurstBride:

That.Just.Happened:

atoz625:

MagPie 1986:

That.Just.Happened:

Plus, no matter what the manufacturer says, it is truly not the safest option to have a newborn in a convertible. They are just too small and there is just too much room for them to slide around in an accident. 

Just to reiterate again, this is not true.  They start at 5 lb and have been tested and approved for newborns. 

Approved is not the same as optimal.  I agree with the notion that an 8 lb slouchy baby isn't as well off in a convertible as an infant seat.  The infant seat is tested for just that- infants.  A convertible on the other hand has a much larger range to cater to.  Yes, the are approved, you are correct.  It may be personal preference still, but the infant seat seems much more appropriate if you have the means, and are only comparing the idea of which seat to use now vs. later. 

Exactly.  Obviously they are approved for use from 5lbs.  That doesn't mean they are the safest option available. The same way we all research which car seat brand to buy based on safety ratings.  ALL carseats meet the same minimum safety standards.  Some go above and beyond those and get higher safety ratings. An infant seat, which is sized specifically for an infant, is going to be safer than a seat that is sized to accommodate a child ranging from 5 - 65+lbs.  

I'd love to see legit research on this. I've asked every time someone posts it and no one has responded to me.  

It wouldn't be approved if it wasn't safe.  When people say the convertible isn't as safe as an infant carrier, it is their personal opinion. 

Belhurst, I would love to see research, too! I'm not sure if there's been any.  

Soleil3

CitrusSwallowtail:

adamnkel:

I loved having the infant carrier for the grocery store/ target any place that has grocery carts and for restaurants. You could probably baby wear at the stores but I would not want to baby wear and eat dinner at a restaurant. Also a huge benefit is if LO falls asleep from point a to point b you don't have to worry about waking them up.

This. Waking a sleeping baby to load them in or out of a car is certainly not optimal. The infant car seat makes it seamless to go anywhere while the baby is awake or sleeping.

Actually, leaving them to sleep in an infant car seat is not optimal. Positional asphyxiation is a very real danger.

minervacullen

Lurker
Go to the fb group Car seats for the littles

tiaras09

I currently have a convertible carseat.....but I am also getting an infant car seat just because Im not into the baby carrying thing....The convertible carseat was brand new and free so I'm purchasing an infant carseat on my own.

I think it depends mostly on your families lifestyle however....