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Having trouble picking a car seat

BlondiePhDBlondiePhD member
in 2nd Trimester

I'm having a hard time picking a car seat! We are going to invest money in a jogging stroller (likely after the baby arrives) so we are planning on getting the car seat and a simple car seat carrier (instead of a travel system) for when the baby is newborn).

I am leaning towards the Graco Snugride 35 with the Graco Snugride Carrier but I haven't checked them out in person yet.

Anyone else going this route? Any advice about the different Snugride versions - traditional, 32 and 35?

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Re: Having trouble picking a car seat

  • madhatter2003madhatter2003
    What car do you have? The higher versions are 'bigger' and may not fit as well in smaller cars. I have the traditional one and it was a tight fit as is in my Civic.
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  • BlondiePhDBlondiePhD member
    We have a honda CRV and a Chevy Malibu so both are good sized cars.
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  • kaiteediditkaiteedidit member
    The snugride 32 and 35 are going to weigh more than the original, which is important to consider. 
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  • RoxpupRoxpup member

    imagekaiteedidit:
    The snugride 32 and 35 are going to weigh more than the original, which is important to consider. 

    They weigh more but the weight limits are higher so you do not have to worry about getting a second car seat as quickly as you would with the regular Snugride. 
    I was considering the Snugride 32 or 35 because of the higher weight limits and then I noticed the length of the seats, one is 30.7 inches long and the other is 27.5, so really, if you can, make sure you they will fit in your car by going to a Babies R US or other retailer to check (even if you haev a Malibu and a CRV).  I ended up getting the Chicco Keyfit 30 because it goes to 30lbs but also because it is much shorter in length than the Snugride 32 and 35, at about 24 inches long.  It's a little pricier, but worth it for the passenger in my car to not be squished and totally uncomfortable on the long drives we take to see family. 
    If you are not worried about the size of the carriers in your vehicles, I'd go with the 32 or the 35.  The regular snugride is cheaper, yes, but the weight limit is so much less that you will quickly have to purchase a convertible seat, especially if you end up with a larger baby.  Either way, seats that go to 22lbs normally have age ranges for up to 6 months (because thats when many babies outgrow them).

    Good luck!

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  • Angela814Angela814 member

    I just answered a similar question yesterday. If the "My Post" button was working, I'd c&p my response.

    I wouldn't spend the extra money on the 32 or the 35 personally. We had the traditional snugride, and DD outgrew it in length by 6 months. She was 29" (the seat's limit) and only 18 1/2 lbs. I think the height limit on the 35 is still only 32". DD was 22 1/2 lbs at 32". Plus, you have to decide if you're really going to want to carry a heavy baby around in a carrier at that age.

    IMO, you're better off saving the money and buying a convertible seat that will rear face to 35 lbs and closer to 38-39". The rear facing weight limit on our larger convertible was 33 lbs. We switched DD to forward facing when she was 32 lbs and about 39". That's when she hit the height limit (head must be 1" below the top of the seat shell) on that seat.

    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
    Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
    Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
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  • ZooBaby2010ZooBaby2010
    imageAngela814:

    IMO, you're better off saving the money and buying a convertible seat that will rear face to 35 lbs and closer to 38-39". The rear facing weight limit on our larger convertible was 33 lbs. We switched DD to forward facing when she was 32 lbs and about 39". That's when she hit the height limit (head must be 1" below the top of the seat shell) on that seat.

    So...what do you do when you take DD out of the car and she's asleep?  How do you carry her around with the convertible seat?  I had originally planned to do the same thing, but was quickly informed by bumpers and friends that it can be a hassle to get the baby in and out of the car when doing errands.   TIA

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  • Angela814Angela814 member
    imageZooBaby2010:
    imageAngela814:

    IMO, you're better off saving the money and buying a convertible seat that will rear face to 35 lbs and closer to 38-39". The rear facing weight limit on our larger convertible was 33 lbs. We switched DD to forward facing when she was 32 lbs and about 39". That's when she hit the height limit (head must be 1" below the top of the seat shell) on that seat.

    So...what do you do when you take DD out of the car and she's asleep?  How do you carry her around with the convertible seat?  I had originally planned to do the same thing, but was quickly informed by bumpers and friends that it can be a hassle to get the baby in and out of the car when doing errands.   TIA

    You just deal with it. At 6 months DD was on a pretty set routine, so I didn't have to worry about her nap times when I was running errands. Some people just use wraps to carry baby. I'd say it's a hassle to get a 3 month old out all the time, much less for an older baby.

    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
    Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
    Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
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