Product spotlight Series: Car Seats!

galactickates · May 2018

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.... Car Seats!

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:

Lifestyle/body factors that might influence your choice:
Favorite [car seat]:
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 [car seat] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a [car seat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [car seats]?:

For FTMs

[Car seats] 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/1VpirQLqoWOgVefTUVQLuh0wcdlL3kKfjcp2_aaZd6Bk/edit?usp=sharing

(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)

pttomato · May 2018

We used a Chicco Keyfit with DD as an infant and now she is in a Britax Boulevard Clicktight. I will go against the grain and say for us the infant seat wasn't that useful. My daughter never stayed asleep in it when the car stopped moving so we ended up just taking her out anyway. She also hated not being able to sit up in it around 6 months so we switched her to a convertible around 7 months. We also only have one car so no switching between cars. We didn't have a stroller when she was little so we didn't use that feature either. The one benefit of the infant seat was that it was much lighter to travel with than the convertible. I like the Britax convertable, except that the crotch buckle is really low and DD complains about it often.

ladystout08 · May 2018

Lifestyle/body factors that might influence your choice: I hated the bucket seats. I'm short and have tiny arms and trying to pull it out of the car was brutal and it killed my back.
Favorite [car seat]: We both have a Graco Nautilus 65 now. We love them. We went through several car seats which I'll comment on later.
Link/picture: Link
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):$$
What you like about it: Easy to install/uninstall or take apart.
What you don't like about it, if anything: Singular cup holder.
Is there a [car seat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: We'll probably get the Graco 4ever if this baby sticks around. Last time we went with what we could afford and went from baby bucket, to RF convertible to another convertible. I'd rather just have one seat. Link
Is there a [car seat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: We won't do a baby bucket again. Well, DH might for his car but I hated them, killed my back and I wore him a lot so I took him out of the seat anyway.
Additional thoughts on [car seats]?: Stores will let you test them out in your car! Take it out and see how it fits in your seat. Research which ones fit best in your car. Our Jeep we had a heck of a time with because the bench is so short. Also, make sure to get it checked by a certified car seat tech, most fire houses or police departments have one!

olivemomma · May 2018

We have a Chico keyfit infant seat with an extra base for hubbies car. It was easy to install and pop in and out. Both of my kiddos did great in it once they adjusted to being in the car a bit. We use the Britax BOulevard for their convertibles. I love them and feel they are super secure. They both moved into their larger seat at around 1 year old. They are comfortable for long car rides and easy to install.

MrsDho11 · May 2018

I have a bad shoulder and knew there was no way I was carrying around a bucket seat empty let alone with a kid in it. So we just had a convertible (Chicco NextFit Zip). I love it, and I’m happy to not have had to buy an extra seat. We have a Prius, and it fits nicely in the back. We will likely get another of the same seat.

edited because TB cut off the rest... I feel like I said even more, but I already don’t remember.

helleebellee · May 2018

All I can remember about the last couple infant carseats I had is that the graco infant seat rubbed all my dds hair off in the back. The fabric on the head rest was absolutely terrible. She was held constantly, so it was weird to me that her hair was gone. Once I figure out what was happening, I covered the head rest with some cute fabric and her hair grew back. Side note with this, we didn't really travel that much with her. We did one 12 hour round trip, and everything else was around town. She hated the seat and was never left in it. The fabric was extremely abrasive to bald her as much as it did for the little amount of time she spent in it. I guess that's one thing to check for. Fabric on the head rest.

We used the chicco keyfit with our last and loved it. It was the best seat yet. I'll be going with that this time around. Bonus, no balding issues and my dd loved it.

freshbasil · May 2018

Lifestyle/body factors that might influence your choice:
We started my first with an infant seat (Chicco KeyFit 30) with a base in each of our car. He was a winter baby and we live in a cold climate, so it was nice to get him in the car seat with a blanket on top before we had to go outside. I think especially since we will also have a toddler this time around (and we already have this seat), we will use this for our second.

We switch to a convertible seat (Chicco NextFit Zip) when he was about 6 months old. He was getting too heavy to carry while he was in the car seat, and we were treating the infant seat like a convertible seat anyway. He also started to get really fussy in the infant seat when the weather got warm, which resolved once we switched.

Favorite [car seat]: We really like both I listed above

Link/picture: none

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

What you like about it: Both are super easy to install, the KeyFit is a pretty popular seat and is compatible with a lot of different strollers (a lot of times you need a carseat adapter), the NextFit Zip has a cover that is easy to remove to wash

What you don't like about it, if anything: The NextFit can be hard to tighten in rear-facing mode

Is there a [car seat] you don't have but are considering? Why?: No

Is there a [car seat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: I don't hate this one, but I don't like the Graco Extend2Fit as much as I like our Chicco NextFit. It wasn't as easy to install and just overall doesn't feel as nice. It does have a higher rear-facing weight limit and is less expensive.

Additional thoughts on [car seats]?: None

emmaaa · May 2018

Infant Seat:
I can't find the exact one we had for DD but it was the Graco SnugRide 35 I think (https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Snugride35-Connect-Infant-Studio/dp/B00OAGXO7G/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526994345&sr=8-5&keywords=graco+snug+ride+35). We had two and multiple bases. We really only needed one seat and bases for all the cars because I always got DD out of the car in the bucket seat and took her into the babysitter or grandparent's in that. Then all they needed, or DH if he picked up, was a base. Luckily, we have both still and aren't expired so we just need to buy 2 bases.

Convertible Seat:
We got the Graco 4ever for DD (https://www.target.com/p/graco-174-4ever-all-in-one-convertible-car-seat/-/A-17273398?preselect=51856806#lnk=sametab). I love it. Easy to install and change recline. Will be great for RF for a while. Some complain they are bulky but one of ours is in a tiny car (Ford Focus hatchback) and is fine. Actually took up less room than the bucket seat.

I liked having the infant carrier for DD for the 1st year. She was smaller so hadn't outgrown the seat limits. When she was first born up until about 6 or 7 months, it was conveneient to get her out of the car and carry her in it so she could continue napping if needed. We did that until she was big enough to ride in a cart. If she was awake when we got somewhere, I would get her out and wear her

parentingishard · May 2018

Lifestyle/body factors that might influence your choice: Wanted a light bucket for infancy and a small convertible so that we could still fit 2 adults in the back seat with the car seat.
Favorite [car seat]: We used the Cybex Aton Q for bucket and now have a Diono Radian and a Nuna Rava convertible.
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Diono is average price for a convertible, Cybex and Nuna are more expensive.
What you like about it: Cybex - very light! It's also narrow and the base has a support bar to make it more secure. Diono - great for air travel because it folds and can be worn as a backpack in the airport. It's also very narrow and easily fits 2 adults in the backseat with the car seat. Nuna - I prefer this convertible because the straps don't have to be re-thread as DD grows and it's very easy to install.
Additional thoughts on [car seats]?: We were in a car accident when DD was 5 weeks old, so I'm a bit picky now about our car seats. I prefer steel frames and will pay for extra safety features. I know all US seats pass strict standards, but because of our experience I'm a bit picky! We will use the Cybex for baby 2 and then decide which second convertible to buy.

rooonilwaazlib · May 2018

@parentingishard I’m so glad you mentioned cybex because I think want that one. Did you look at the uppa baby Mesa too? I want the uppa baby stroller system so idk which car seat to get. I do love to match, but I’ve alao read the amazing things about cybex and can’t help but think it might be the better option. I know they’re expensive but the ratings are off the charts, which is hard to Ignore!

Jackiemxoxo · May 2018

I had a graco snugride 30 back in 2012 with DD1 and it was heavy as a log. They have gotten lighter but I used a chicco keyfit 30 with DD2 and loved it so thats what we are going with again. I took advantage of the babiesrus closing and bought a chicco bravofor2 stroller and hoping it works out. I love how lightweight it is and works for 2 kids. I am on team bucket seats though because I hate pulling a sleeping baby out of a carseat, especially when going to restaurants. For convertible carseats we have diono radians in one car and graco nautilus and costco scenera in another.

parentingishard · May 2018

rooonilwaazlib I did look at the Mesa and decided on the Cybex. I went ahead and bought the Cybex Priam as well so compatibility wasn't an issue. I contemplated the Uppababy Cruz but knew I couldn't handle the Vista because that thing is HEAVY before you add two kids to it. I knew I couldn't lift it in and out of the car which I have to do a lot. The Priam is very light and folds with one hand. It does not convert to a double stroller though, if that's a priority for you. The Cybex also works with the babyjogger strollers/city series/city mini. We bought adapters for $20. I bet it's compatible with more strollers now that it's become so popular!

irishcyclone29 · May 2018

I used a chicco keyfit 30 for my daughter up until about 6 months. Then switched to a Britax roundabout that I hated. My brother got it for me. She then was in a Diono Radian RXT and rear faced to age 3 before she outgrew the height limit. She then switched to a Britax Frontier 90 and is still in it at almost 7 years old.

For our new baby we are considering the chicco keyfit with bases in each or the chicco nextfit and just getting 2 of them to use until babe is old enough to use a highback booster. Height won’t be as big of a deal with this baby as both Daddy and myself aren’t super tall like my daughters Dad.

BitterBetty12 · May 2018

We loved our Chicco keyfit for DD. Well be using if again (hopefully) for baby #2. It’s a little on the heavier side which is tough as baby gets heavier but it’s durable and easy to clean.

oldiebutgoodie80 · May 2018

I'll just echo a ton of PPs here. We had the Chicco Keyfit 30 and stroller (the travel system). The car seat wasn't too heavy and is really easy to install and pop out of the base. I love that I could just pop DD out of the car and into the stroller. We still use the stroller as our primary stroller for now.

We now have a Graco 4Ever convertible car seat. The price is decent, and hopefully, it is the last car seat we will need for DS. It is not ideal for travel though, as it is heavy and barely fits in an airplane seat.

sweetyjenj · May 2018

We used the infant carrier that came with the Graco travel system. It's the Graco 35 seat, we just needed an extra base and only needed one infant carrier.

Then, I added 2 Britax seats to my Amazon baby registry so I could get the completion discount... Which saved a good amount!! Once they are out of the infant carrier you need a seat for each car

I LOVED the infant carrier, and believe it or not, she's almost 16 months and we just switched her into the convertible car seat last week! She just got too long for the infant carrier. The convertible seat is great mor, but it's way harder to buckle her in and I would have HATED buckling a newborn into it.

MeggieLynne · May 2018

Clek Fllo for us. It has an insert called “infant thingy” making it suitable from birth. I was NOT wanting to lug a heavy (before Baby) thing around. I worked at a mall while I was pregnant and everyone carrying one looked awkward and like they get back pain and knee bruises. I also didn’t like the way you see people attempt dangerous things with them to avoid carrying them (like sitting them in the top basket part of a shopping cart). Plus it’s not safe to leave baby in them outside the vehicle, the are meant for shortest possible use every time. It can increase risk of both oxygen deprivation and SIDS (there was a recent case in Scotland where luckily Baby survived). We carried or wore him or put him in the stroller (Maclaren Quest that can recline to flat for newborn).

Our Fllo can rear face to 40lb or 40” whichever is first (our tall for 2 1/2 year old is two inches (and 9 pounds) from turning. I forget the front facing height and weight limits because we definitely aren’t there yet. I’ll have to check when we turn him. He loves his seat.

It had the best safety of what we found. It is a little larger (especially when used from birth since you install at more of an angle then) but has been fine in an older maxima, and a newer Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as a Camry and a dodge truck (the large cab but with PLENTY of room).

Pricier than some seats (I think it was about $300 on sale Canadian) but it’s the only seat we’ll need until booster seat (and then we’ll go with Clek’s Oobr)

skilouise · August 2018

Has anyone used the Nuna Pipa? If so, is it as easy to use as they claim? What stroller do you use with it?

rooonilwaazlib · August 2018

@aSHVA we just got the Pipa nuna lite with the travel system (Nuna Mixx stroller) from Nordstroms because they were on sale for the anniversary sale. I have a history of back problems and the Lite is literally the lightest carseat I've ever held. I'm so excited to get it. The only downside is that it requires the use of the base. If you're a city dweller and use taxis/ubers or plan to take a lot of flights, you'll need to use the base as it does not have the ability to use just a seatbelt alone, as a lot of other seats do. For us this was a small price to pay for it being literally 6lbs on its own and much easier to haul around our suburban area on a regular basis. We'll bring the base on a plane, and if we ever need to trek into a city or something, my MIL just bought herself a graco travel system at Babies R Us before it closed...we'll just borrow hers. But for our everyday lives this was an absolutely confident purchase.

skilouise · August 2018

Thanks @rooonilwaazlib, I'll have to think about the light option more as well. I'd originally discounted it because of the need for the base. However, realistically this would only be an issue for us when flying, and we're only likely to fly once at most while the baby is small enough for the infant seat.

joniandtoe · August 2018

We too went from a chicco keyfit and then graduated to the graco 4 ever. I had a natural delivery w. DD, and loved the ease of dropping the keyfit into the travel system stroller and carrying her in it- until she hit 20 lbs, then it was miserable.

We originally planned on using the keyfit for our new baby, but we may be a scheduled C section this time and I've heard it's tough to carry the infant carrier for a couple of weeks. And since DD will be 2.5 when little man gets here we also has to upgrade to a double stroller. We opted to buy a second 4 ever seat just to be safe......

tosh24 · August 2018

I just bought a Britax B-Ready stroller off FB Marketplace so I'm going to go with the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seat since it will snap into the stroller without a separate adapter. I hear it's on the heavier side to carry, but I seriously could not live without an infant seat with DD and DS so I'll just have to deal. Apparently it's one of the narrower infant seats which is also a plus because I need to get 3 seats across in our vehicles (one FF seat, one infant seat, and one booster). Reviews say this can be an issue for people who have chunkier babies, but I tend to have small little peanuts who barely reach 20 lb by a year old, so I'm not worried. I'm holding out for Black Friday/Cyber Monday and hoping I can get a good deal.

saltedcaramel518 · August 2018

@joniandtoe You know you don’t have to take the infant seat in and out of the car every time you use it.

ladystout08 · August 2018

We ended up buying the Graco 4ever for both cars. I hated the bucket seats and babywore any way so that’s what we’ll do.

joniandtoe · August 2018

@saltedcaramel518 lol. Sad to admit in retrospect there were times I could have done otherwise- but she needed it for the stroller and often (hell ONLY) fell asleep in the car so in and out of the house/mall/grocery it went! Behavior begets habit, yeah?

With new baby coming in January I'm torn- we live in the northeast so I'd feel safer hauling him in and out of the car in the carrier ( esp. With a 2.5 yo in tow alongside) but that weight.....

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