We are trying to decide for sure which way would be the best way to go about buying the carseat. We have decided that we will either buy a Graco newborn carseat and later a Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 carseat for when he gets a little bigger or buy a Graco My Ride 65 carseat and use it from birth until he out grows it, which wouldnt be for a while either just like a Nautilus. I am a first time mom and would really like to get all the information/input you mommies can provide me or help me on making the best decision for my little guy. Thanks ahead of time
Re: Help with Carseat, please
I am also a 1st time mom so can't speak from experience, but friends told me that they preferred the infant car seat for up to 35 lbs. so that they could take the baby in and out of the car without having to wake them up during those first few months. We got a car seat frame for the infant seat, but you could also get one of the matching strollers to go with the infant seat.
Good luck!
TTC #2 since April 2012
Year 1 - nothing
Year 2 - two m/c
Year 3 - unexplained diagnosis & 4 failed IUIs with Clomid/Letrozole
Year 4 - still unexplained & 3 failed IUIs with Follistim & Ovidral
Year 5 - trying on our own
We bought a Graco Snugride 35 and will use that for a while. When LO is too big for it we will switch to a convertible car seat.
I would get the infant carseat now, and then get the Myride 65 later. The infant seats are WONDERFUL for the early months. Then they can move into the convertible seat.
The nautilus is for older kids as it is forward facing only. My DD loves hers, but we only just started using it this year. BUT DS just moved into her old convertible seat, so it's getting a lot of use too.
As pp mentioned, the Nautilus is only forward facing, so if you want to extended rear-facing you may not want to buy this one for a couple of years.
Not all convertibles fit newborns well or come with newborn inserts (aftermarket carseat products are a "no-no")
Because newborn carseats are so convenient and without a doubt fit a newborn well, I suggest getting the Graco infant carseat which will last anywhere from 6months to a 1year+ (depending on you baby) and get a convertible after that which will last quite a few years. My oldest is 3 and half years old and still in her Britax Marathon..... she'll likely be in it until she's 5.
I am using an infant carseat. It does mean I will have to buy another one at about 10 months old (because her legs will go over the edge) but I would be able to let her sleep in the car and take her out and not worry about waking her up. It is also lighter and can fit into my stroller
I agree with everyone else. Get an infant carseat first. The convertable ones aren't as snug of a fit as your need at first and they don't really lay back as far as you need them too. Plus it is nice to be able to take them in and out of the car in the seat when they are so little.
There are several models that go over 30 pounds so the baby will use it for longer. Chicco Keyfit 30, Graco Snugride 32 and Graco Snugride 35 are the ones that come to mind first.
I am a first time mom as well, so DH and I went and "test drove" pretty much every stroller/ travel system we could find and settled on this one:
https://www.target.com/gp/detail.html?asin=B0028ZE1TG&colid=R8BI94QH0ALH&coliid=I3SBUVB5DZI66N&bckreg=baby
I must say that it was the sturdiest feeling one for the price and it is for newborn and up.
hope that helps.