Do I need 2 carseat bases?

vwatson83 · February 2012

I registered for 2 individual carseat bases, but didn't realize that the actual carseat came with a base. Now I have 3 bases (yikes) I will be taking 1 base back, but my mom thinks that I will really only use 1. The idea was that my husband will have an extra base in case of "emergency." But the probability of him actually using it is slim.

What do you gals think? Did you use 2 bases?

katcarls · February 2012

I wouldn't bother if it's not something you'll need routinely. You can move the base to another vehicle in just a minute or two or he can install the seat in his car without the base.

cdc1982 · February 2012

We had 3 bases & used them all. We had 1 in my car, 1 in DH's & gave 1 to my SIL who watches him 3x/wk.

If you're not sure about having 1 in DH's car, think about this: if there's a situation where he needs his car to get LO, is it convenient for him to go to wherever your car is, get it out, hook it up & then get LO?

vwatson83 · February 2012

katcarls:
I wouldn't bother if it's not something you'll need routinely. You can move the base to another vehicle in just a minute or two or he can install the seat in his car without the base.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. But, you know that feeling when you go through your closet and get rid of things to donate. And then 3 months later, you're like "Man, I really wish I didn't donate that cute yellow, blouse..."

LOL.

hmp1 · February 2012

We had two. I liked that we never had to worry or plan out who would have the base. We left the carseat at daycare and either of us could pick him up, whoever was coming home first. I also liked that we had both bases installed at the fire department by a certified carseat inspector and we never had to take them out until we upgraded to a convertible seat.

avalovesart · February 2012

We only have 1 base and are likely never to move it to our other car because that car is a 2-door and would be so annoying to put baby in/out of. DH and I just determine who gets the 4 door car based on the needs for the that day.

superned · February 2012

Almost all infant seats can be installed without the base, so there's not really a need for a second base. I would consider it if you were in a situation where one parent drops off for child care and the other picks up, or any situation where you both need the seat on a regular basis. Otherwise, just learn how to install your seat (and base) correctly and you'll be covered in an "emergency."

MrsHogstad · February 2012

You will want 2-- especially if you and your husband will either be picking up/dropping off at daycare -- it's not a huge hassle but it's better to just have one in each vehicle, they're not too expensive anyways-- better to be safe than sorry

vwatson83 · February 2012

superned:
Almost all infant seats can be installed without the base, so there's not really a need for a second base. I would consider it if you were in a situation where one parent drops off for child care and the other picks up, or any situation where you both need the seat on a regular basis. Otherwise, just learn how to install your seat (and base) correctly and you'll be covered in an "emergency."

Great! Thanks for the advice. BTW, what a cute little snow baby you have!!

skio · February 2012

We had one in each car.

Necessary for: City trips. We'd leave on car at the train station, drive the other into the city, then DH would go to work, DD and I would galavant, then we'd take the train home and the other car with base was waiting for us.

Liked the idea of having it for: Days when I work and DH is home with DD. We don't have to worry about switching bases from car to car. Same idea for when one of the cars needs work done. And emergencies, of course.

SaraTF · February 2012

DH and I were just talking about this last night. We only have one base now, and decided to wait to get another until we actually need it. The chicco keyfit base is really easy to insall, so if we want to switch cars for the weekend it's not a big deal to switch the base. When LO goes to daycare, we may need to reassess, but I'm currently unemployed, so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Julia_JJ · February 2012

The bases are for ease of getting the baby in the car only (and "ease" improvement is marginal at best if the base is in the center) - they're not any safer than attaching the car seat with a seat belt. I'd save your money (and the extra space in the car a base would take up).

dravensbaby · February 2012

For my first 3 children I only had one, and survived. For the last two I had two, and I honestly dont know how I lived with only 1. H has a really hard time getting the seat in if he does not have the base. I think part of it is that he is really impatient as time, and part of it is his limited use of his right arm.

In reality I worry about it anytime anyone take my babies anywhere when I have not installed the carseat, and that includes H. I keep the base in his car because then I alway know that the girls will be secure when the are riding with him.

I also install the base myself anytime another on of our family members is going to take them from more then just one trip. I know that the grandma's mean well but niether of our mothers has had little babies in a really long time. The only other grandchild on his side is 13 now.

Feb3 · February 2012

With DD we had 2 bases and we never ended up installing the 2nd one. (Luckily it was loaned to us so we just gave it back!) It depends on your routine. We had a nanny, so there was no pickup/dropoff... we only used one of our cars with the baby. Nanny didn't drive her anywhere, so that wasn't an issue. Sounds like you wouldn't really need it. In case of an emergency you can use the seat without the base, although I wouldn't do it that way on a regular basis.

superned · February 2012

vwatson83:
superned:
Almost all infant seats can be installed without the base, so there's not really a need for a second base. I would consider it if you were in a situation where one parent drops off for child care and the other picks up, or any situation where you both need the seat on a regular basis. Otherwise, just learn how to install your seat (and base) correctly and you'll be covered in an "emergency."

Great! Thanks for the advice. BTW, what a cute little snow baby you have!!

Thank you!

lulu8109 · February 2012

If the chances your DH would need it are slim, then I think one base is all you will need. If, say, you and your DH would be splitting drop off/ pick up duties, then it would probably be easier to have two. The car seat can be installed without a base, but the base just makes it easier to click and go.

We got by fine with just one base. DS rarely rode in DH's car. When he did, we would move the base which was really easy to install. I almost bought a second base (pre baby), but I'm glad I didn't spend the money because it would have been a waste. Go exchange it for some other baby gear!

OUKatie · February 2012

We plan on getting at least 1 extra. Dh drives a standard and I can't so switching cars is not an option for us.

I planned to just switch cars with my mom/sisters if they ever had the baby for whatever reason but my mom would like a base in her car and I might indulge her. She works within 10 minutes of our house and anywhere baby will be left (Mother's Day Out) whereas DH is 45-60 minutes away during the day so if something ever happened, she'd really be the one to be my backup. Plus, she intends to do a lot of babysitting and I intend to let her

JKTTC1 · February 2012

We had the one that came with the travel system. Then we got another that we were registered for. Well I've stay at home with LO for 3 months and getting ready to go back to work. We will probably use it now but honestly we could do it without it. We can't return it so we are going to use it. But if we could return it, I would. Depends on how long you are staying home and how many pounds the car seat will hold. We have the Chicco Keyfit (22lbs) so LO will outgrow this seat before 1 year....at the rate he's going probably by 7 months. So we are getting a convertible seat when he outgrows it and the bases will be sitting around.

Mrs.MLR04 · February 2012

We had 2 bases and used both of them. DH and I both picked up and dropped off at daycare so it was a necessity for us.

caralck · February 2012

We have 3 for this LO. One for my car, one for Dh's car, and one for MIL's car because all 3 of us will need it to transport baby around. We went with ease of use. Yes, we could just use the seat belt in the other 2 cars but were willing to pay for convenience...especially since we bought the other 2 for $70 total from Craigslist. They were brand new and only used a few times per the couple we bought them from.

MissButters · February 2012

We're having the same debate. Most likely the baby will be in my car the majority of the time, so we will need the one that comes with it. We always thought we'd get a second (and we still might), but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to buy a convertible car seat for MH's car for the amount it will be used. At least he'll have a car seat installed in case of an emergency, and it will last us past the infant stage. Otherwise, we'll be buying two bases, and then have to buy two convertible car seats down the road. So, maybe it makes more sense for us to spend a little more up front on a convertible car seat for MH's car, and save the money they want for a base. Decisions, decisions!

Babybear70 · February 2012

We will be having 2 bases, one for both trucks. I will have the babe most often, but when we go up to the lake to our cottage we take DH's truck most of the time. Plus DH will watch the babe on his days off during the week so if he needs to go somewhere it is just as well for him to have a base. We were actually thinking about purchasing a base for the IL's as well so that they are fully equipped too...but that is still under discussion.

alliapistor · February 2012

We have 2 bases, but I drop off at daycare and DH picks up. If we didn't alternate that, we would probably be fine with just 1 base.

If you'll be alternating drop off and pick up, do you know if your daycare will allow you to store the carseat there? In our area, a lot of daycares won't let you leave the seat so people need 2 full carseats instead of 1 carseat and 2 bases. Just something to check into before you return things if you'll be alternating drop off/pick up.

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