Convertible Car Seats?

suzyq0525 · September 2014

Has anyone used a convertible car seat for their newborn instead of getting an infant carrier? Would you recommend it? I'm going back and forth on what I want.

Haps92907 · September 2014

Agreed. The convenience of being able to take the infant seat in and out of the car, use it with the snap and go as a stroller, never have to disturb a sleeping baby is all well worth the price. The convertible seat I have for DD works for newborns (I forget the lower weight limit, but lower than most), and is considered one of the safest seats out there, but I'm still getting a new infant seat for this babe.

maisonduchoco2 · September 2014

I agree with the pps, the infant seat is just a lot more convenient to use with a newborn. I would check out all of the ratings guides to see which convertible seats are best for newborns and go from there. I would also go to the baby stores to see them in person.

suzyq0525 · September 2014

Your points are exactly why I'm hesitant.

The convertible seats that I've looked at say that the minimum weight for rear facing is 5 pounds, so that isn't one of my concerns. But the whole disturbing a sleeping baby just sounds like a bad idea!

I'm also thinking it will be easier to lug an infant carrier through the airport vs the convertible car seat (my family lives far away from us and we are planning on visiting them a decent amount).

Thanks for your input ladies,

Robi1 · September 2014

We used a convertible seat from the start with our first, and will do so again. It was no problem for us. I love that we haven't had to worry about her outgrowing it, and we won't have to buy another one for a loooong time. If your LO gets used to being transferred in the infant seat, they will wake up when you remove them, but if they are used to being removed every time, they may learn to stay asleep, which is very handy for once they're bigger since eventually you'll have to have them in a convertible. You also don't know how big your child will be - they might only use the infant seat for a few months before they outgrow it. Just seemed wasteful to me, and I had no interest in lugging around that heavy seat. I loved holding my baby in my arms.

Haps92907 · September 2014

suzyq0525 said:

I'm also thinking it will be easier to lug an infant carrier through the airport vs the convertible car seat (my family lives far away from us and we are planning on visiting them a decent amount).

Oh yes. Travelling with the convertible car seat is the worst. Infant seat is so much better for that!

daizedoo · September 2014

MandJS said
Finally, MOST buckets technically can be buckled (with a seat belt) into ANY car, even without a base. Which makes it SO much easier to "trade" cars, bum a ride with someone, etc. Otherwise, you need to get a carseat for EACH car and/or take it out and reinstall it, which... PITA.

DH and I were wondering about this last night. We were thinking we'd need to get two car seats for both our cars, since we switch cars a lot. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just buy one car seat, and buy two bases, (or whatever) so we can install bases in both cars, and pull out the seat and put it in the other car? So you're telling me it's possible to just move the car seat from one car to the other and buckle it in with a belt?

pregarella · September 2014

It is possible to install the infant seat without a base, the base is just there for convenience sake. You can definitely buy one car seat and two bases though, that's what we did. It just made it easier since installing a car seat is a PITA.

I am really pro infant seat. I have traveled with the convertible seat and it's a monster. It's also great to not disturb a sleeping baby, especially when you have a baby that never wanted to fall asleep in the first place, like mine. And lastly, there will definitely be moments, like a restaurant or elsewhere, when having a clean, safe place to put down your baby for a bit is worth it's weight in gold. I don't know any infant that outgrew their infant seat before at least 9 months. Mine was in it until 11months and she was in the 95% for height and weight.

rm2013 · September 2014

Definitely team infant seat! For all the reasons listed above. I can't tell you how invaluable it was to get to your destination and be able to let the baby stay asleep. I did most of my errands this way! We got the Chicco KeyFit30 (which is a 30 lb weight limit for a lot more usage), an extra base for DH (the seat comes with the first base included), and the Key Fit Caddy stroller frame. We used the hell out of the caddy! It was so wonderful to take my sleeping baby out of the car, drape a receiving blanket over the top, and snap it in the frame and keep it moving! It's super lightweight, stands uprigh folded, and has a one handed release. I miss that thing (sniff).

nareek1180 · September 2014

Join the facebook group car seat for the littles. You will learn so much about car seats and they have a list of which convertible car seats are good for newborns.

finallyourturn2 · September 2014

We are getting infante carriers for my car which is the one we would take as a family, or shopping, or anywhere really. We are getting convertibles for his car as a back up/emergency plan since he won't be taking them anywhere on a normal basis (for his days off we will probably just switch cars). That way when they are out of the buckets we have the convertibles to move into my car and we will decide if we want to buy two more for his car.

mangomimosa · September 2014

I just read an article saying infant seats are actually a bit safer than convertible seats (sorry, don't have a link...might not be true but it seemed to be a totally legit source) -- this plus all reasons above are why we're getting an infant seat. I also read that Britax seats expire 6 years after manufacture so I figure I can use it through 2 kids and get the older kid a big seat when the new baby arrives (or they grow out of it; whichever comes first).

galenkahlyl · September 2014

We did with my daughter. It was never a big deal that the car seat was stationary in the car, and we babywear instead of using strollers so we never used a travel system. However, my daughter hated being in the car until she got older and we're considering getting an infant car seat purely because they look more comfortable, in hopes that car trips are more pleasant early on. The graco "4ever" seats look pretty amazing though...

Mrs. jk3a · September 2014

I am going back and forth too. I want to get a convertible because I don't want to buy another seat. But I also like the convenience of infant seat so I am torn

Anne Mommy · September 2014

Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.

selena61307 · September 2014

Anne Mommy said:
Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.

Really really unsafe to put the car seat in the shopping cart. No one should do this ever.

071115 · September 2014

I loved my infant carrier so convenient!! Best thing ever

selena61307 · September 2014

chilibeansm0m said:

selena61307 said:

Anne Mommy said:
Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.
Really really unsafe to put the car seat in the shopping cart. No one should do this ever.

---------------
I was hoping she meant IN the shopping cart. Not on top. Please don't put on top like @selena61307 said.

Even inside. Think run away shopping cart in the parking lot.

aesf · September 2014

selena61307 said:

chilibeansm0m said:

selena61307 said:

Anne Mommy said:
Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.
Really really unsafe to put the car seat in the shopping cart. No one should do this ever.

---------------
I was hoping she meant IN the shopping cart. Not on top. Please don't put on top like @selena61307 said.
Even inside. Think run away shopping cart in the parking lot.

If your baby is in the carriage you watch it closely and it doesn't run away. They don't have minds of their own.

But yea the top is super unsafe.

aesf · September 2014

I mean... By that logic aren't all strollers also unsafe?

mangomimosa · September 2014

chilibeansm0m said:
------------------- Oh well no actual experience! I just give death glares out at target when I see an infant seat on top. I always used a stroller or wore baby that little. God it was so amazing when I could put dd IN the cart.

When is that? Like 6 mo, when they can sit up?

I am having nightmares about shopping with baby. "Meltdown in aisle 3..."

finallyourturn2 · September 2014

selena61307 said:

chilibeansm0m said:

selena61307 said:

Anne Mommy said:
Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.
Really really unsafe to put the car seat in the shopping cart. No one should do this ever.

---------------
I was hoping she meant IN the shopping cart. Not on top. Please don't put on top like @selena61307 said.
Even inside. Think run away shopping cart in the parking lot.

Umm, sure. My cart has never rolled away because I am pretty responsible. IN the cart is where doctors suggest putting the car seat (not on) so I am 100% percent sure it's okay. Besides, if we are worried about runaway shopping carts we need to worry about runaway strollers and I am pretty sure moms aren't prepared to give those up.

amanda101411 · September 2014

It depends on the size of the baby as far as how long the infant seat is convenient. My son was 10 lbs when he was born and I switched him to a convertible seat at 4 months because he was so heavy combined with an infant seat. Consider getting a good sling or carrier and using the convertible from the start. Then you could simply buy another convertible to keep with family you're visiting and not have to worry about lugging a car seat at all.

stine28 · September 2014

finallyourturn2 said:

Umm, sure. My cart has never rolled away because I am pretty responsible. IN the cart is where doctors suggest putting the car seat (not on) so I am 100% percent sure it's okay. Besides, if we are worried about runaway shopping carts we need to worry about runaway strollers and I am pretty sure moms aren't prepared to give those up.

While I'm not disagreeing with you, I wanted to point out that shopping carts are not the same as strollers, because strollers have brakes. With correct use, runaway strollers should never happen. It is always possible for a shopping cart to roll away if you are not holding it in place.

HallRents · September 2014

@rm2013‌ - did you find it a pain that you had to put babe into a car seat if you just wanted to go for a walk around the block? FTM - full of questions...

finallyourturn2 · September 2014

I didn't say they were just like strollers. I realize strollers have breaks, but a lot of people simply don't use them. I always hold the cart or prop it against my vehicle.

loraxmama · September 2014

Haven't read all the comments but one thing we liked about the infant seat, and this may be the basis for someone saying they are safer, is baby is more reclined than sitting up. We have a convertible now for my 2 year old and it is one that reclined the most. I still feel like and infants head would bob forward too much from the angle. We're using an infant seat again for second baby will big baby enjoys the convertible. By the time big girl needs a booster little can use the convertible

jpavenski · September 2014

Infant seat all the way. I suppose it does depend on size of baby, mine was a little guy. So he was in the bucket seat till like 15 months and often slept in it. It was great to be able to not wake him up & go right from the car to the stroller. And when shopping I could always fit a lot of things in the basket under my carriage.

loraxmama · September 2014

Sorry no my two year old is rear facing in a convertible (guess that wasn't clear). Meant my girl would be in a booster maybe by the time baby outgrows the infant seat. No all my kids will be in the safest car seat as long as possible. Don't worry

loraxmama · September 2014

Sorry to freak you guys out. I'm not great typing on my phone. With all car seats I recomend you get something you can rear face in as long as possible. It is safest and like I say my two year old still rear faces and is perfectly happy. Plus she still has plenty of time before we have to turn her around (based on car seat criteria).

chajak · September 2014

Graco has a new infant seat that fits your child until 2! It is over 200 so I don't think it's really worth it.

loraxmama · September 2014

We have the Graco My Ride which is cheaper and should fit us a lot longer than 2 years old

and I think it's min. weight is 5 or 8 lbs.
but I still vote infant seat for under six months old

drudolph11 · September 2014

selena61307 said:

Anne Mommy said:
Infant seat all the way. I'll add a bit about shopping. Taking LO before they can sit up to the grocery store can be a pain. Putting the seat in the cart makes it easier. Wouldn't want someone so little in that big convertible either.
Really really unsafe to put the car seat in the shopping cart. No one should do this ever.

Really? I see this done ALL THE TIME. Lol every time I go into a grocery store someone has their carrier in the cart...hmm never thought about it being un safe until now.

drudolph11 · September 2014

Anyway we were DEAD SET on getting a convertible car seat until after reading all of these lol now im not so sure. This is why I love these boards. Makes me think of things in totally different ways!

misshosejockey · September 2014

I posted this in another forum and I thought it may be something usefule for the moms in this one...

As a firefighter and a certified Child Passenger Seat Technician I implore all parents to keep their child rear facing until they are 2 years old or they outweigh the limits of the rear facing car seat. There is so much that we as parents don't think about with child passenger safety, and a lot of times it is our own selfishness that puts the child in unsafe conditions. If you keep your child rear facing, they will not know any different and be perfectly fine in the seat they are in. It is the parents need to see the child that allows excuses for them to be turned front facing. You may say "but there feet touch the seat or they look uncomfortable." Well, children are extremely flexible. Have them cross their legs or use the seat as a foot rest, crash tests and studies have shown that a child whose feet touch the seat will have little to no injuries compared to the injuries found with children in a front facing seat crash.

I love Lucie's list, in fact when I went through the certification class I was able to get my hands on just about every brand of seat out there. For mine I am going with the Chicco key fit 30. The company has never had a recall on their seats, they are held to a high European standard and they are easy to use and install. All of the instructors in my class either highly recommend or own this model. Guaranteeing a safe installation that is easy for the parents is a huge benefit.

Some things I thought about when I was deciding infant carrier or not was do I want to be harnessing in an infant hanging out of the car during in climate weather (we will be delivering in spring rainy weather). Also, babies want to be as warm as they can, it's highly recommended that you never harness your child into the seat with a plush or puffy jacket on. This means you will be taking the baby out of the jacket in colder weather to harness them into the convertible. I would much rather be able to harness the baby inside and then just click the carrier in place. Of course the other benefit of not waking a sleeping baby to move them in and out of the car is also great

When the LO is big enough to go to the car seat, I will be transitioning to Britax. This Brand also has very few recalls, is great for child safety and installation is easy as well. Britax is a European company and they hold their products to that standard (Sweden requires all children to remain rear facing until 4-6 y/o and have almost no child deaths).

I am more than happy to answer any other questions if you have them on car seat safety. I was in awe when I found out during my class that there is a 98% misuse rate on car seats and their installation. Better to ask questions and be informed and safe than have your head in the ground and rely on luck for the safety of your loved ones.

loraxmama · September 2014

I can speak from experience, kids really don't mine rear facing. My daughter is two and happily sits with her legs crossed in her seat.

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