Product Spotlight Series: Carseats (week of Oct 23)

doxiemoxie212 · October 2017

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... carseats!

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.

For S+TMs:

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier:
Favorite [carseat]:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like about it:
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [carseats]:

For FTMs:

How often do you drive/do you want to use your carseat as a carrier:
[carseat[s)] you're interested in:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

To view past Product Spotlights or view the upcoming schedule, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gjNtxy2Kd2JceTYYR5wkwVcpTbU-khgazhjcZnfI1y4/edit?usp=sharing

kbrown2385 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: I drive and use the car seat daily
Favorite [carseat]: For infant seat. I like the Chico keyfit 30. Good fit for all infants, even as small as 4lbs. For a convertible car seat I like the graco 4ever or the graco extend 2 fit. Fits babies from birth, easy to use and compact enough to fit in most cars.
Link/picture: https://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/car-seats/infant/keyfit-30-infant-car-seat-and-base---orion/04061472510070.html
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/4ever%3Csup%3E-trade%3B%3C-sup%3E-4-in-1-convertible-car-seat
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/extend2fit%3Csup%3E-reg%3B%3C-sup%3E-convertible-car-seat

Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): the Chico keyfit and the extend2fit are $$. The 4ever is more expensive but you will get longer use out of it.
What you like about it: all 3 seats listed have super easy installs. For the 2 convertibles, they are both long lasting for extended rearfacing and have long expirations (both last 10 years). The convertibles can also be used from birth if you prefer skipping the infant car seat.
What you don't like about it, if anything: no dislikes
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I like the extend2fit and am considering using one for this next baby. I like that it can be used from birth and has extended rearfacing capabilities.
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: n/a
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: All car seats on the market have passed safety testing and are safe, no matter how expensive they are. I highly recommend learning about car seats from Car seats for the Little’s. They are a fact based group made up of car seat safety technicians. Their site is csftl.org and it is full of information. You can go there and compare and read reviews on all recommended car seats as well as learn about proper car seat usage.

Edited to add more.

marcus7676 · October 2017

For S+TMs:

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: Daily.
Favorite [carseat]: We had the Uppababy Mesa.
Link/picture: https://uppababy.com/mesa/overview/
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $$$
What you like about it: It fit well in the care and seemed secure. DS didn't seem to mind it. I could use it with the latch system (main use) or just seatbelt install (we took it to France and used it on the plane and rental car).
What you don't like about it, if anything: Cost. Weight.
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: I thought I wanted the Britax bucket, but it didn't fit well in my car. I STRONGLY recommend going to Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby or your local baby store and trying to install the car seat yourself. Because that will really guide you in what fits best. I was also swayed by having to get the "best" - - DS used it for 10 months - - I didn't have to have the "best." All carseats are manufactured to the same (or better) standard, so safety isn't an issue. Get something that fits and that you can lift. 8/9/10 month old babies are freaking heavy in the bucket so IMHO, light is best.

We switched DS to a Britax Convertible at 10 months and love it.

mytinc · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: Daily
Favorite [carseat]: infant car seat - Chicco Keyfit 30, convertible car seat - Chicco Nextfit
Link/picture: Chicco.
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): see website link above.
What you like about it: You can do this with any infant seat, but we bought an extra base so we could easily transport the baby in either car (for example if one of us dropped off and the other picked up from daycare).
Additional thoughts on [carseats]:

Aside from our favorites we also own: Evenflow convertible car seat (I don't recall which model) and a Diono Radian RXT convertible car seat. We use them both, but we don't like them as much as the Chicco Nextfits. The Evenflow 5-point harness is more difficult to open/close and get the harness tight. It was the least expensive of the car seats we own. The Diono looked hard to figure out for rear facing (we bought it when we were already forward facing DS1, but needed a narrow seat to fit in his sitter's car), and doesn't recline back at all if DS1 falls asleep in the car, so it looks uncomfortable. It was also the priciest.

doxiemoxie212 · October 2017

City folk, how did you handle the carseat situation?

Hospitals in NYC require a carseat to bring baby home, but we literally live 2 blocks away from the hospital, so we'll walk, lol. And we really only drive when we go visit my mom, which I'm sure we'll do less with an infant (unless we're able to move, but we don't find out DH's CA bar exam results until mid-November, so assuming it will be quite a while).

Like, should I invest in a stroller that has a bassinet attachment since we'll use the stroller so much more? Or get an infant carseat that can attach to a stroller...?

catlady1215 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: drive daily. we used it as a carrier as long as we could. it was so much nicer when he fell asleep and we could bring him in peacefully.

Favorite [carseat]: infant, we had a graco. I can't remember the exact one but the exact model probably isn't made anymore since it was 5 years ago. we picked it cause it went with the stroller we picked.
convertible, we started out with an Eddie bauer cause it was small and dh had a 2door car. now we both have 4 in 1 Graco seats in our cars.

Link/picture:

Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $$

What you like about it: we're fans of graco

What you don't like about it, if anything: nothing

Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I hear diono carseats are highly recommended. pricey but highly recommended.

Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: we probably wouldn't do eddie bauer again. I don't have a specific reason.

Additional thoughts on [carseats]:

jsl82 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: When DD was first born I used it every couple of days. I drive more often now since I'm back to work, but the carrier is too heavy now so I switched to a
Favorite [carseat]: Infant carseat Britax B Safe
Link/picture:
Britax B Safe: https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Safe-Infant-Seat-Black/dp/B0731JTHC7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1508777843&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=britax+b+safe+35+infant+seat&psc=1
Graco 4ever: https://www.amazon.com/Graco-4ever-All-Convertible-Matrix/dp/B00Y2863GQ/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1508777941&sr=8-2&keywords=graco+4+ever+all+in+one&th=1
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Britax $168 . Graco $207
What you like about it: DD was a winter baby so I loved having the carrier because I could have her bundled and ready to go out to the door vs putting her into the cold car and strapping her in outside. This time it will be summer and again, it's going to be nice to have the option of getting LO ready inside the house before heading out to the car. I also liked that I could have a seperate base for DH's car than mine, which is great since he will be doing most of the daycare drop offs while I do the pick ups. The carrier stays at the daycare, so no matter who drops off/ picks up we can use the same car seat.
The Graco 4ever is suppose to literally last for the rest of DD's car seat needing time. I like that while it was expensive, I won't have to buy another.
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Britax- The carrier gets heavy after a few months (okay baby gets heavy, but it makes it so I don't want to use the carrier.
Graco- I don't like the way the straps sit across DD's legs. I also never feel like I can get the straps as tight as the infant carrier.
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: Nope we are going to reuse our Britax.
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: Nope we have only used the 2 seats I listed above.
Additional thoughts on [carseats]:

tepr14 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: Drive daily, used infant carseat as carrier almost daily.

Favorite [carseat]: infant: Chico keyfit 30 and switched DS over to graco 4ever
Link/picture: https://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/shop-by-retailer/target/keyfit-30-infant-car-seat-and-base---legend/08061472180070.html
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/4ever<sup>-trade;<-sup>-4-in-1-convertible-car-seat
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Looking on their websites the Chico is 199.99 and 4ever is 299.99
What you like about it: Easy installs, for awhile we would have to transfer infant seat into other car a few times a week which was easy to manage. I like the 4ever for the different positions, can be rearfacing, long lasting, can also be used in place of infant carseat, and DS likes it. We also found the 4ever on base for a cheaper price.
What you don't like about it, if anything: Wasn't an issue until recently the 4ever is not airline approved. So if frequent traveling is part of your life take that into consideration.
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: When I looked into convertible carseats and saw they could be used in infancy as well I was disappointed that I didn't just opt for that from the beginning BUT looking back if DS fell asleep in the car it would make an easier transition to carry the infant car seat with him in it wherever we went rather than waking him up to pull him out. Especially in those early weeks.

tepr14 · October 2017

@doxiemoxie212 I don't live in NYC but I did just go and have my first experience with DS there a few weeks ago. So feel free to not take my opinion. I would probably go with stroller that allows for a carseat attachment, I found I preferred those over the bassinet strollers. Keep in mind for something definitely light and compact, we just used an umbrella stroller when we went and managing a stroller with all the stairs, subway, and trains was a task.
2 blocks isn't far I would just caution a back up plan in-case you're not ready to walk. With DS I had an unexpected c-section and the only reason I was really up and walking was because that was the only way I'd see him in NICU, even after being discharged from the hospital it took me a little bit to get used to moving. But I was also terrified of my scar and messing with it. I hope that's not the case for you or anyone here but my advice would to have a backup plan.

doxiemoxie212 · October 2017

@tepr14 lol literally DH could push me in a wheelchair two blocks. They're really short blocks. Door to door including the elevator ride is less than five minutes by foot.

tepr14 · October 2017

@doxiemoxie212 Perfect! That'd be my go to lol let DH push and pamper me along the way home while snuggling with baby.

edit- except carseat requirement

sabby2 · October 2017

kbrown2385 said:

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: I drive and use the car seat daily
Favorite [carseat]: For infant seat. I like the Chico keyfit 30. Good fit for all infants, even as small as 4lbs. For a convertible car seat I like the graco 4ever or the graco extend 2 fit. Fits babies from birth, easy to use and compact enough to fit in most cars.
Link/picture: https://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/car-seats/infant/keyfit-30-infant-car-seat-and-base---orion/04061472510070.html
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/4ever%3Csup%3E-trade%3B%3C-sup%3E-4-in-1-convertible-car-seat
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/extend2fit%3Csup%3E-reg%3B%3C-sup%3E-convertible-car-seat
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): the Chico keyfit and the extend2fit are $$. The 4ever is more expensive but you will get longer use out of it.
What you like about it: all 3 seats listed have super easy installs. For the 2 convertibles, they are both long lasting for extended rearfacing and have long expirations (both last 10 years). The convertibles can also be used from birth if you prefer skipping the infant car seat.
What you don't like about it, if anything: no dislikes
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I like the extend2fit and am considering using one for this next baby. I like that it can be used from birth and has extended rearfacing capabilities.
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: n/a
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: All car seats on the market have passed safety testing and are safe, no matter how expensive they are. I highly recommend learning about car seats from Car seats for the Little’s. They are a fact based group made up of car seat safety technicians. Their site is csftl.org and it is full of information. You can go there and compare and read reviews on all recommended car seats as well as learn about proper car seat usage.
Edited to add more.

Literally all this. We used the chicco key fit 30 and have graco 4ever and love them. I also echo car seats for the littles. GREAT site with lots of good, safe, information.

momac1919 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: We use our car seat every day...haven't used our carrier in 8 months but I should probably bring it back up from the basement
Favorite [carseat]: our carrier was part of the baby trend travel system, I wasn't in love with it but it did the job. Our car seat is the Britax Click Tight Marathon
Link/picture: https://www.target.com/p/britax-174-marathon-clicktight-convertible-car-seat-black/-/A-50044948?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9014885&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx_iDh-aH1wIV1bbACh1dVgHNEAQYAiABEgIUMPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $272
What you like about it: it's super easy to set up and adjust, as well as the safety reviews
What you don't like about it, if anything: nothing
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: nope
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: My good friends neighbor is a test engineer for car seats. He told me if he ever had kids he'd get a Britax car seat, so I was willing to pay a little more for that piece of mind. I'm sure most car seats do the job as long as they're installed and used correctly though.

notaknottie912 · October 2017

@doxiemoxie212 i do not live in NY but I live 2 blocks from the hospital also. I could not be discharged without providing a car seat to be inspected. I also had a csection and was walking 1+ mile walks by the 1 week mark pretty easily. The hospital required me to start getting out of bed 4 hours after the csection and start walking the halls. So definitely check with the hospital what their policy is. I really likes the graco click connect 35 as it was light to carry and clipped into a neat stroller frame that unfolded/folded easily with 1 hand. The car seat can be used without the base also, so it is nice for taxi rides or strolling around as well.

Austenista · October 2017

I won't go through the whole thing again, but add me in the pile for loving the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Graco 4ever.

murraydog2008 · October 2017

How often do you drive/do you use your carseat as a carrier: Drive daily. Used infant seat until they outgrew it, but my kids are now 4 and 7 and in convertible seat and high back booster.

Favorite [carseat]: infant: Chico keyfit 30 (Love this seat!) convertible seat: Britax Marathon with Click-tight High back booster: Britax Pioneer with Click-Tight
Link/picture: https://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/shop-by-retailer/target/keyfit-30-infant-car-seat-and-base---legend/08061472180070.html
https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/4ever<sup>-trade;<-sup>-4-in-1-convertible-car-seat
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $$$
What you like about it: The infant seat was so easy to use. With multiple bases in each car, we could move the seat in and out with ease. The seat is fairly compact and fit with no problem in the back of my husbands truck that was just a King cab at the time and also fit in our Toyota matrix without pushing the front seats too far forward.
Convertible seat: I love the Britax seats. We've had 3 different ones over the years and I find that they are the easiest to install and adjust to the right height for your baby. We kept our son rear facing well past his 2nd birthday and he fit very comfortably the entire time. Last year we upgraded to the new click-tight system on the seats and I LOVE IT! They install SO easily! The seats are much heavier than the regular ones so that is kind of a downside, but after wrestling with LATCH hooks over the years, I am so thankful for the click-tight especially since both of my kids are over the weight limit for LATCH system.
High back booster: Love the Britax Pioneer because I can keep my 7 year old daughter in a harness until 90lbs! I know she's old enough and could easily sit with just a booster and seatbelt, but I love that I have the option of keeping her safe longer. Again - we have the click-tight version and it installs so easily into any car and I love that so much.
What you don't like about it, if anything: I'm not a big fan of Graco seats. My MIL has one for when we go visit them and it's so hard to install and uninstall and I could never get the harness height as accurate as I could with the Britax seats.
Additional thoughts on [carseats]: I love car seats and get really excited about how awesome they are now! I get into discussions with people who say things that are silly like "we didn't have seats like that when my kids were young and they're fine"..........those are my favorite people to talk to about car seats.

doxiemoxie212 · January 2018

Anyone have thoughts/feelings about the Doona carseat/stroller hybrid?

If we're still in NYC, I'm 99% certain this is what I'd want to bring her home from the hospital in since we'll be walking the two blocks home. Also seems great for times when we think we might end up taking a cab, etc., but aren't sure. Or for traveling - that's really the only time I know we'll be in a car: on the way to the airport, and then wherever we end up going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOYxEw3y9Kw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nu_1T_ex64&t=85s

https://www.albeebaby.com/doona-infant-car-seat-storm-grey.html

tammy574 · January 2018

@doxiemoxie212 I think they look awesome! And especially for city living. A downside I see is if this was my only stroller. My babies want to be in a more upright stroller position and be able to see what’s going on within like 3-6 months. And because I live in he suburbs and I use my infant car seat daily and always carry it inside and everywhere I go it wouldn’t benefit me to have wheels attached and would probably get on my nerves in all my car seat hauling I do.

doxiemoxie212 · January 2018

@tammy574 oh def not. If we stay in the city I’m getting the uppababy vista for my actual stroller.

becca_123 · January 2018

@doxiemoxie212 the Doona just showed up as number 7 on an article that just popped up on TB and I think it looks perfect for what you need it for!

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Product Spotlight Series: Carseats (week of Oct 23)

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