Confused about Car Seat thigns

nboone22 · December 2015

So my husband and I decided to get a travel system, knowing that we're going to need to purchase a convertible car seat for when she gets older. I have been looking online and can't seem to find the answer to my questions... Because we were going to get 3 bases (my car, my husbands, and my mil's car) my mother in law asked a good questions about the base for when she gets older... Does it work with the other convertible car seats to move the seat itself from one vehicle to another when needed? Or are we going to have to buy all new bases/car seat for all three cars?? Does anyone know? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere

Thanks

Btwilhelm · December 2015

No, convertible seats are buckled in with the seat belt or use the latch system in the car. They aren't really meant to move in and out like an infant seat. They do not come with bases.

lionstigersbears · December 2015

If you want to save yourself some money, you could get bases just for the cars you use a great deal. The infant car seat can be secured with a buckle very easily, the base is just convenient.

GraysonsMama · December 2015

Btwilhelm said:
No, convertible seats are buckled in with the seat belt or use the latch system in the car. They aren't really meant to move in and out like an infant seat. They do not come with bases.

This. The more often you remove and reinstall a convertible seat the more wear and tear is inflicted and more importantly you have a higher chance of installing it wrong. You will need three separate convertible seat when you get to that point.

skruhmin · December 2015

If your kid is anything like my kids, he/she will hate the infant seat and will scream until you switch to a convertible. There are some very cheap convertible seats out there (like $40) - and no, they do not come with bases. You will definitely want one convertible seat per car - they aren't meant to be moved around all the time.

FinePlacentaPie · December 2015

Just a different perspective, but we skipped infant seats entirely and just got a convertible that converts up to 110 lbs, I believe. Sometimes you have to make a few tweaks; DS was born a bit smaller than expected, so we used rolled blankets to keep him propped for a while. Obviously this would limit your ability to move the seat, as others said, and you would likely want 3 separate seats, but the cost is comparable to buying the infant seat and bases, and then a convertible seat, and then a booster.

Daenaria86 · December 2015

I'm not a big supporter of using a convertible car seat from the beginning.

As someone said, you can't move a convertible car seat back and forth between cars very easily. If you are planning on doing this, definitely go with a higher end model because they unclip very easily (Graco, Britax, etc).

I used my infant seat as a backup seat until she was a little over 1. She still fit the weight and height limit, so it was fine.

Car seats are very expensive, especially when buying for 3 vehicles. Unfortunately it is just one of those necessary costs. You can get convertible Graco car seats that are highly rated for around $100 on Amazon or Buy Buy Baby.

Good luck!

mhwood · December 2015

How often will your MIL be driving around your child?

little_bren · December 2015

Yep, a base is easy to move cars so you don't have to buy one for MIL. Convertible car seats don't have bases.

ETA: my convertible seat is easy to get in and out. It's graco brand.

GinnyJ2012 · December 2015

I will warn that different car seats are different sizes. Our britax convertible did not fit well RF in our Corolla, neither did the baby trend infant seat. Make sure the seat you choose fits all 3 cars safely.

The Britax seat is easy to install though. I've put it in my parents car when we visit. Is your MIL local and will be driving around your LO a lot. If not, you may not need a third base or extra car seats.

DanandVan · December 2015

I LOVED having an infant car seat with 2 bases (one for my car, one for hubands). We had a Graco carseat that also clicked into our Graco stroller. All my kids have been car sleepers, so it is super nice to transfer them into the stroller or even a shopping cart (inside not on top), or carry them into the house in their infant carseat. You lose that option with a convertible carseat.
If your MIL is watching baby frequently, then I would get 3 bases and an infant carseat. And once you move up to the bigger carseat, you no longer need bases. You would have to purchase 3 more carseats, but we got ours at Walmart for $40 and it has been very good and has gotten good safety reviews.

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