Car seat!!!

ammini · November 2014

Which is the best option while buying a car seat? Baby due in feb...Infant car seat? A travel system ( the ones which come with the stroller)? Or the convertible car seat? Confused ! Need help!

krispy83 · November 2014

Personally, I like having the infant seat. It's easier to get them buckled in while you're inside the house, then just snap the whole seat into the base. Plus if/when they fall asleep in the car, you aren't jostling them around as much to take them out (like you have to with a convertible seat).

I haven't heard great things about most travel systems - generally the strollers that come with a travel system tend to be bulky and not easy to push, collapse, etc. I haven't owned one, but this has been true of the ones I've used. We used a Snap N Go stroller frame with the infant seat for when DS was an infant, then moved to a City Mini stroller once he was a little bigger. Someone with experience with a travel system may be able to offer suggestions for a good one if you're interested in going that route.

babykoz214 · November 2014

We registered for the Chico Bravo Trio travel system. Obviously we haven't put it to use yet, so I can't speak from experience. But I did a lot of research and it comes highly recommended and has fabulous reviews. The chico keyfit infant car seat included in the system was top rated by consumer reports in 2014- and the stroller is lightweight and easy to fold.

tee18 · November 2014

We use an infant seat first and then rear face in a convertible once they grow out of it. Our stroller is compatible with our infant seat, but if you like the stroller from a travel system, then that works too.

animalcrckr · November 2014

An infant car seat is worth every penny. There are so many occasions where baby will fall asleep in their car seat and you do not want to have to unbuckle them just to grocery shop, eat out, church, whatever. It is extremely convenient. DD just slept in hers this morning (I dropped DS1 off at bus stop and DD fell asleep in her car seat. I was able to leave her in there while I fed DS2 breakfast and got him ready for school).

I cannot imagine how people manage without one.

As far as strollers go. I think it's best to invest in a good stroller that happens to be compatible with your particular car seat. Most of the well known stroller brands also sell adaptors for most of the infant car seats out there. I've never had a travel system. Just one stroller that has been compatible with both of the infant car seats we have used in the past 6 years. When we got a new infant car seat for DD, I just had to order a new adaptor piece for $20 and was able to use the stroller we already had.

The travel systems come across as convenient because you can buy it all in one swipe but the strollers seem sub par, IMO.

ConstanceGoodspeed · November 2014

DS went straight into a convertible and we are doing the same with this LO.

MammaWolf7 · November 2014

We have a travel system from our first son that we are using with this one. I love it because it's really easy to put the infant car seat in and once they outgrow the car seat, it's very roomy and comfortable for when we go shopping with our son now.

mommaa1615 · November 2014

FTM but registered for the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System. I would def. recommend going to the store and testing them all out. I took other Mom's advice and realized that it does sound easier if baby is sleeping to just grab the carrier from the car instead of unbuckling them, taking them out, etc..

inkedmommyx4 · November 2014

I prefer travel systems / infant seat vs. Starting out with a convertible just because of how easy it is to move baby in and out of the car especially when they are sleeping! With this baby we bought the Graco Signature Series stroller which is kind of a 3 in 1 and it is compatible with any Graco infant seat! I am obsessed & can not wait to use it!

krysmill · November 2014

There was a great thread about this a little while ago. If you use the search engine you'll be able to find it. Lot's of info there.

Angeldcf · November 2014

For DS, we used the Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 infant seat/travel system. The Keyfit is popular bc it's quite easy to install safely. Our hospital can't recommend a particular brand, but they use the Keyfit in the carseat install class as their demo bc it's so easy/safe.

We later moved him to the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 convertible carseat. We'll use the Chicco again (not expired yet) with baby #2. The 4 in 1s weren't available a few years ago- look interesting but haven't researched their safety.

Whichever carseat you choose, please have a certified person verify it's installed correctly in your car. Some police, fire and hospitals will do this for free/little fee. A great carseat is pointless if not properly installed.

ammini · November 2014

Thank you so much !!

ordinary1 · November 2014

I have a travel system. I mainly wear, but loved my travel system. When she was a week or so old, it was nice to leave her in her seat, pop her in the stroller, and go where needed without waking her.

lorifromwi · November 2014

We also use a Chicco KeyFit30 for many of the same reasons as Angeldcf. What really sold us what that our SIL also has it which means my IL's already had a base for their car! It's super easy and I'm not regretting our choice as we need to go out and buy another one for the little man.

Mahmah3 · November 2014

I prefer the convenience of an infant carrier, especially to stay warm during winter and with a sleeping baby. I got the Britax B-safe infant carrier and stroller with my third lo and will use it again with my fourth. I had a hard time with other car seat buckles and didn't like the fabrics (too hot) for my summer baby. The stroller folds easily and is fairly lightweight and compact. It's great for smooth walkways, but I use a jogging stroller for trails. I got the best deal on Amazon at the time. If you go with a convertible, I love our Chicco NextFit!

mahalo3 · November 2014

babykoz214 said:

We registered for the Chico Bravo Trio travel system. Obviously we haven't put it to use yet, so I can't speak from experience. But I did a lot of research and it comes highly recommended and has fabulous reviews. The chico keyfit infant car seat included in the system was top rated by consumer reports in 2014- and the stroller is lightweight and easy to fold.

All of this. We registered for the same travel system. The stroller part is easy to fold to put in the trunk. Great reviews and rating on Bargain Baby and Consumer Reports. My NICU nurse friend recommended it, and my step sister who is the smartest person I know (Valedictorian of her high school, full scholarship to UT, anesthesiologist) researches EVERYTHING and this is what she has.

rosieo52 · November 2014

mahalo3 said:

babykoz214 said:

We registered for the Chico Bravo Trio travel system. Obviously we haven't put it to use yet, so I can't speak from experience. But I did a lot of research and it comes highly recommended and has fabulous reviews. The chico keyfit infant car seat included in the system was top rated by consumer reports in 2014- and the stroller is lightweight and easy to fold.

All of this. We registered for the same travel system. The stroller part is easy to fold to put in the trunk. Great reviews and rating on Bargain Baby and Consumer Reports. My NICU nurse friend recommended it, and my step sister who is the smartest person I know (Valedictorian of her high school, full scholarship to UT, anesthesiologist) researches EVERYTHING and this is what she has.

Same here.

Sahara6971 · November 2014

There were a couple of threads about this that had a lot of useful info.

Anyway, I have the Chicco Keyfit infant carrier. To me, it is worth every penny (over a Graco). I also just bought the Chicco Liteway Plus stroller because it will hold an infant carrier but folds down like an umbrella stroller. HTH.

usmcwife89 · November 2014

FTM but I purchased the graco Capri quatro reverse touring system. It's a stroller and infant car seat along with base. I wanted to return it and haven't gotten back to return it yet. I definitely will. Like others have said.. The stroller is ENTIRELY TOO bulky and doesn't fit in our trunk. We have a very large trunk which surprised me. Other strollers that aren't in a travel system set weren't as bulky and fit in our trunk. Keep that in mind because it defeats the entire purpose of having a stroller!

twinklymama · November 2014

Am I wrong in thinking that an infant carrier was required to take baby home from the hospital? (Where did I read that...?)

wintersong139 · November 2014

No, you can have a convertible car seat rear facing and set to an infant recline. You do need a car seat to leave, though!! Hasn't everyone heard of someone who wanted to walk home from the hospital and couldn't leave without a car seat? LOL, happened to my cousin--she was on a military base, and lived a block from the hospital, but her husband had to go home to get the car with its car seat to end/avoid an argument.

We'll be getting a convertible car seat (Chicco Nextfit), and I am pretty excited about it. I plan on rarely taking it out of the car. I realize that some moms like to be able to take out the whole seat so they don't wake up the baby--I am the opposite. I think a lot of it is your preference and how toting baby fits in your lifestyle and movements.

usmcwife89 · November 2014

twinklymama said:
Am I wrong in thinking that an infant carrier was required to take baby home from the hospital? (Where did I read that...?)

I thought this as well!

Angeldcf · November 2014

No- a carseat is required to leave, not necessarily an infant carrier.

twinklymama · November 2014

Angeldcf said:
No- a carseat is required to leave, not necessarily an infant carrier.

Thank you for clarification. Am I remembering right that you are a nurse?

misshart00 · November 2014

I have a travel system with infant carrier. I love it and still use it. My stroller is a bit bulky, but it maneuvers easily and it's easy to fold up and unfold.

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