Car Seat Question

[hornedfrog]

That is so sweet that you want to take care of some of this stuff for your wife!

For our first baby we used the infant car seat in my car and a convertable infant-to-toddler one in my DH's truck. Having experienced them both, I definitely recommend the infant carrier. The infant car seat will come with one base per seat. If you have two cars, the easiest thing to do is get the two seats, plus two extra bases. That way, each car will have 2 bases and you won't have to shuffle the bases around. The 2 carriers can be snapped into either car and off you go.

For a beginner (or even an expert), putting those bases in the correct way is TOUGH. It is very important to get them in correctly. With our first baby we tried and then threw in the towel and went to the nearest fire station and had a fireman put them in for us. Most fire departments have someone who is certified to do this and they expressed over and over to us how glad they were they we came to them instead of trying to 'wing it' ourselves because they see way too many infants who have been injured due to faulty carseat installation. In addition, many cities or police or fire departments schedule regular 'car seat fairs' where they are ready and available to help people.

Also, there are strollers for twins out there that are just frames that the infant carriers snap into. Those are so much lighter than the full-size double strollers. I have two little ones (not twins, but they are close in age) and at this point I have to use a double stroller and it is sometimes misery to load that thing in and out of the car. I'd definitely have the frame-only stroller if both my kids were still in the carriers (one is and one is too old/big).

 

[MareQ]

No question - buy 2 infant car seats now - worry about the bigger ones when they get older.

To make your decision easier - imagine one of you for some reason has to take the babies somewhere by yourself. You throw the diaper bag over your shoulder then grab your keys and hoist a baby in each arm - now try getting to the car - placing the first child into their seat and buckling them in while still holding on to the second one....

Infant car seats - created to keep parents of newborns sane!

 

[tiggger1]

I would definetly go with the infant seats until they grow out of them.. It'll be easier to get them out of the car without having to unbuckle them especially if it is cold or wet... That way you can carry them both at once instead of having to make 2 trips....plus they can snap into a matching stroller or carriage....


I am getting the graco Step 1 infant safeseat. It goes up to 30 pound and 32 inches, so that'll get me to a year...

With emma I had a evenflo infant seat that went to 20 pounds and then I got a cosco alpha omega 3 in one that she used until she was 30 pounds Emma is now 3 1/2 and I bought a forward facing 5 point ( up to 40 pounds )restraint toddler seat in april that can go to a booster seat up to 80 pounds

 

[mtemm]

congrats!

our twins were 5lb10oz and 4lb10oz. We were so glad we went with the infant seats first! the convertables we chose for later were fine for 5lbs and up, but they would have been lost in that big seat. We only used the infant seats for around 6 or 7 months because they were both around/over 26" by then, (even though they weren't 20lbs until 15-18 months....remember you switch from infant seat to convertable when they are 26" OR 20lbs, but keep rear facing until they are at least a year AND 20lbs. that's the one most people confuse, which is AND and which is OR). if you are looking for a recommendation, we loved the graco snugrides.

Make sure to ask about twin discounts whereever you buy. some stores, like BRU, offer them on larger items.

 

[CharmCityGirl]

OT: You already have the nursery done and are getting the car seats already??? Am I really behind??? I have a few things, clothing wise, but nothing else done and wasn't really planning on beginning to get stuff until mid-late January!!!

Also, remember that twins have a good chance of coming early so you want to be prepared early!

ETA: I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but once you install the seats in your car it's a good idea to have them checked out at your local police department to make sure they're in correct before the babies get here.

 

[mtemm]

Also, remember that twins have a good chance of coming early so you want to be prepared early!

ETA: I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but once you install the seats in your car it's a good idea to have them checked out at your local police department to make sure they're in correct before the babies get here.

I agree. most police depts. have someone on staff that will check to make sure they are correctly installed. some will even help you install them.

and yeah, I think now is a pretty good time to start getting stuff for twins due in march. I was due mid-april and ended up with mine mid-march. Hopefully the op's wife will make it longer, but still, nice to be prepared.

 

[mommy*RN]

I just love how helpful DIS'ers are! Good job guys!

I agree with all the pp who said they got the infant carseat and worried about the other carseat later on. I LOVED my baby carseat. It was so handy when DS and DD were little to just pick the whole thing up and clip it into the stroller. Plus they seemed more comfortable when they were tiny being in the infant seat. More portable too. Often you can buy extra bases seperately if you each have your own car and need to transport the kids. This was nice for DH and I. We had the one infant carseat with a base in his truck and a base in my car. Once they are installed you should definitely see a profressional to have it checked. They look easy to install, but I read somewhere that 90% of carseats are installed incorrectly. Here in Wisconsin we can contact the police or fire departments or Children's Hospital.

Congrats...I think I just repeated all the other replies! Can't wait to see pics of your new little twins soon (but not too soon )!

 

[haymorlog1]

I agree with all pp who suggested infant seats now. My suggestion when the twins are ready to face forward would be the Britax Marathon. It is pricey (I found a deal of $229) but it the only seat you should need. It will 5 point harness to 65 pounds. Britax has a wonderful reputation as one of the best built safest seats available.

 

[safetymom]

I suggest taking the car you will be using the car seats in to the store when you buy them. Make sure they fit in the car correctly.

Don't be in a hurry to turn the twins around. They are safer riding backwards for at least the first year.

 

[golfgal]

Infant car seats are the ONLY way to go with twins. There just isn't a feasible way of transporting them with out infant seats unless you want to make 3+ trips in and out of the house every time you go someplace! Buy the infant seats now, find a larger one that you like for later and put those on your baby registry. People will be looking for ideas of what to get the babies and car seats are popular things to buy. People LOVE to shop for baby stuff so you will be getting gifts from people you would NEVER expect. Don't buy TOO much stuff now.

 

[aprilgail2]

Is she having a babvy shower, put them on your registry, perhaps you will get it. I got a infant one and a full size one plus the stroller at my shower.
We have a local auto body shape that is a licensed NYS car seat installer, the guy has my car seat in so tight it doesn't move at all. They also put your child in and make sure the straps are adjusted right and that you know how to do it...all for free, and the guy won't even take a tip!