what to do... carseats...

biohaz444 · April 2010

I was talking with two coworkers that have infants (one has a 9yo, 1yo, and infant, other has a 6mo), and I'm really not sure what to do... They were both saying the travel systems are nice BUT not worth it... what do you think?

infant car seat - pros - baby can stay asleep, in car seat, for quick trips in restaurants, stores, etc.

cons - they grow out of them SO FAST! one coworker's baby grew out before 6 months! (yes, she is a tall baby, but still!)

so I'm debating. Just go straight for the convertible (already picked it out - it's the Sunshine Kids that can rear-face up to 45 lbs, and then forward up to 80), or get the infant, and the convertible, and have to switch from infant to convertible rear facing, and then to forward facing?

mristine6 · April 2010

I got a travel system for my baby shower. I didn't even register for it but my cousin got it for me because she said she could not have lived with out hers. This is my 1st so I don't really know but since my cousin felt the need to spend hundreds of dollars on one for me I'm guessing it might be worth it. But I'm not sure.

biohaz444 · April 2010

hmm...

I'm also wondering bc they're so bulky (we spent quite some time in BRU picking up each car seat (w/o the bases) and trying to figure out which was lightest, and then you add in baby (who will be growing), and the awkwardness of carrying 30+ lbs at an angle off of your body, and I'm really unsure about it.

might just get a nice stroller, 2 convertible car seats (one for each car), and use the baby bjorn when shopping and whatnot.

Addicted2thenot · April 2010

I did not have a travel system, but I did have a infant car seat & I could not have lived without it. Having the ability to transfer the baby in that carrier is priceless. Infants fall asleep everywhere & you do not want to be waking them every time you stop. My son was in his infant carrier for 9 months & I was sad to see it go.

I just got the infant car seat attachment for my stroller & my stroller worked similar to a travel system

I have a Bugaboo & A Peg Perego car seat

lil_rhody · April 2010

I got a travel system and plan to switch to a lighter stroller when we get to that point. For infants, there's a lot of pain moving them around, and the travel system was easiest for that. Also, the travel systems are generally rated as the safest among the strollers.

lil_rhody · April 2010

Also, it's going to depend on how often you think you'll use a stroller. If you live in sprawl where you hardly ever walk anywhere, then I'd think a stroller might be unnecessary. If you live in a city where you're always walking, it's indispensible.

hutch0830 · April 2010

We couldn't have lived without one for DS! I could never wake a sleeping baby! Sometimes a car ride was the only way to get him to sleep in the first place, so this was invaluable for us!

MaryEllen · April 2010

After looking at them and picking them up in the store, I don't like the travel systems - they are so big and bulky and all my friends with kids say the same thing.

Instead, we registered for a Chicco infant carseat and the Graco snap n go stroller frame. We will get a convertible car seat once she outgrows the infant seat. We also registered for a lightweight umbrella strolller (McClaren Quest Sport) that can be used now and/or later. So we'll have the convenience of being able to snap the infant carseat onto a stroller frame without the bulkiness of pushing around a huge stroller with an infant carseat on top of it.

grr_aargh · April 2010

MaryEllen:

After looking at them and picking them up in the store, I don't like the travel systems - they are so big and bulky and all my friends with kids say the same thing.

Instead, we registered for a Chicco infant carseat and the Graco snap n go stroller frame. We will get a convertible car seat once she outgrows the infant seat. We also registered for a lightweight umbrella strolller (McClaren Quest Sport) that can be used now and/or later. So we'll have the convenience of being able to snap the infant carseat onto a stroller frame without the bulkiness of pushing around a huge stroller with an infant carseat on top of it.

This is what we did with DS. I was grateful for it.

With DD we used a convertible carseat from birth and NEVER had an infant seat. It was a mistake.

eminbmore · April 2010

IMO, and infant carseat is an absolute necessity, but a travel system (ie buying the stroller that comes with it) is not. I've heard many many many complaints about travel systems, including that they're too heavy, too bulky, difficult to steer, and a general PITA.

An infant carseat, however, is a lifesaver! If the baby falls asleep in the car (which they do all the time) you don't have to worry about waking him up, you can just bring him inside. You can also use it as a seat if you go places (like out to dinner - so you can eat!). I've also known lots of babies who wouldn't sleep anywhere but their carseat in the beginning. I think it's 100% worth getting.

Plus - infant carseats are safer than convertible carseats for small babies, they support their head and neck and provide much better side support (because of the bucket-like design) in the event of a collision.

MrsDCruz · April 2010

Ive got the travel system and I'm SURE It will get tons of use. I know that my hospital wont let me take my baby home in anything but and infant seat so you might want to check into this before you decide not to get one.

noah-bear · April 2010

What was really nice, we had an infant seat with a snap n go.

We got the infant seat, then convertible at 9 months and that's what he's in now. I loved the snap n go because like you said, they can sleep and be moved easily.

The travel system is so heavy and we love having DS face us in his stroller (Kolcraft Contours)

TravelinMama · April 2010

I had a travel system and I would do it again. You know the phrase, let sleeping babies lay.....this comes in hand when you're always on the go and baby falls asleep. It's nice to take them from the car to the stroller or the car to the house and not have to wake them.

mh2t · April 2010

We got an infant seat and the Graco snap n' go stroller frame. Wanted the convenience of a travel system without the bulk. It was very handy for the first 6 weeks or so when DD could sleep anywhere, since we didn't have to wake her up to move her. We got the Graco Snugride 32 infant seat so that it would last longer (the regular Snugrides only go up to 22 pounds, I think). She's very small, so even at six months she's not even close to outgrowing it.

But at about 4 months, DD decided she didn't like being strolled in the snap n' go becuase it faces backwards. She wants to look out! So we bought a Graco Mosaic (like a tricked-out umbrella stroller with recline, etc) on Craigslist for $25. It's lighter than the stroller that comes with the travel system, and folds smaller. Not the fanciest stroller, but it does the job. Definitely worth $25.

If you decide to go the Snap n' Go route, check your local Craigslist - they can often be had for $20-30 around here, rather than $60 retail.

Also, I just saw in the store a travel system that allows you to pull the handle to either side, so the baby can face front or back. I think that's genius, and if I were shopping again and wanted to get a travel system, I would probably pick that one.

meggiejo · April 2010

I didn't register for an infant carseat with DS, and I ended up buying one when he was 2 months old because there were so many situations where it would have been useful. He did outgrow it by about 8 months, that is why this time we have bought one of the seats that goes up to 35lbs and 32in. Honestly my 2 yr old DS still doesn't weigh 35 lbs. and would have been under the 32 in. until 1, so I feel the larger seat will definitely extend it's use. I loved the bjorn carrier, but honestly there were times when you wanted to make a quick trip into a store and it was a production to put the carrier on, get DS out of his carseat and into the carrier. The infant seat made these quick trip actually quick!

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