car seat bases

Mhaney129 · November 2012

Car seat bases.
Do you always use a base when you take your lo somewhere? Even if its not far? We only have one base.

mystrana · November 2012

Yeah, DH and I have always used the car seat base for all jaunts around town. But we're also lucky enough that his parents were kind and got us a second base for my car which makes it easier.

KellersPrag · November 2012

The base isn't necessary, just more for convenience. If you're going to strap it in without the base, just make sure you check the instructions.

Mhaney129 · November 2012

Kellers thank you! I feel much better! Bases are expensive! I told a couple of my gfs and they definitely made me feel like crap with a guilt trip.

jrsmama2010 · November 2012

We've always used the base bc I don't want to take the time to learn how to install without it. Don't let them make you feel bad it's not like you did anything wrong and they aren't super parents

LindaLamour · November 2012

I don't have a vehicle at the moment and the base is in my SO's vehicle. My mom frequently takes me to run errands and I roll up a blanket to keep the car seat level and yank on the seatbelt to strap her in as tight as possible. Just read and follow the instructions that came with your car seat. As PP mentioned, the base is merely for convenience purposes only. If you install the car seat correctly, it is just as safe without the base. I'm sorry your friends are giving you such a hard time. They just don't seem to understand.

MrsAB1316 · November 2012

I had no idea that you could use the car seats without the base.

mystrana · November 2012

Yeah just wanted to add you're not a bad parent if you don't use a base, I didn't even realize that people would judge that. The bases are all about convenience

bdbelladonna · November 2012

we only have one car so most are with the base. but when we go with someone else I just use the seat belt and locking clip. its not that annoying once you get the locking clip in place

CdnFarmGirl08 · November 2012

We only take my car when we go places (with my DH) so the base is in my car. But I often drive with either my sisters or my mom in their vehicles and I just strap it in without the base. Just make sure to pull the seatbelt really tight and follow the instructions.

hmp1 · November 2012

If it is a regular thing, I would buy another base.

sweetiebird726 · November 2012

We got one for each car bc I will be dropping DS off when I work, and DH will be doing pickup. It's easier that way for us.

If that wasn't the case, we would have only done the one base. I haven't learned how to clip it in yet without the base, but mine has the instructions printed on the side.

mommy510 · November 2012

I leave the base in my car. If we are going in someone else's car I just buckle the carseat in without the base. Its too much of a hassle to move around and as far as I know, it's just as safe either way.

pawstech09 · November 2012

We haven't been using the base at all, for some reason it caused the seat to incline at an angle that made his little head flop forward, so I won't be installing it again until he has much better head control, if I even do. It's not so bad putting the seat belt on we don't really go anywhere often anyway.

ETA - I read your reply about your friends guilt tripping you, and I agree with PPs that the base is a huge convenience and that's about it. I used them with my twins because we had TWO of the darn things to buckle in and out repeatedly and it was a pita, one baby not so much. Also, you can install convertible car seats using the seat belt as opposed to the latch system if that isn't available, so isn't that exactly the same thing? Both of our convertible seats are using the seat belts because there is only one latch position in the third row of my van. Don't feel guilty!