car seats

[Nette]

If they are planning on going straight to a convertible, then I've heard that Britax isn't a good choice -- you can't get the straps tight enough for a tiny baby, or something like that.

I know that there are seats that are great from the very beginning, but I can't remember what they are.

For a from the hospital convertible, I recommend the Cosco Scenera. It's WAY less expensive than the Britax seats and it actually got BETTER consumer reports reviews than the Britax. It also fits newborns better than the Britax.

Honestly, I really think they are making a huge mistake not getting an infant car seat first. Besides the overall convenience factorthey really do fit the little ones much better. There are a few car seat safety techs on these boards and maybe one will chime in. I also know that more money doesn't always equal a better seat. There are a lot of car seat forums on the Internet with some very knowledgeable people. This might be a better place to get some advice. I don't have a britax but sometimes wish I did as they are the only ones that I know of whose straps don't twist up.

We didn't get an infant car seat at first, and while the convertible one we had fit him fine, it really was a hassle. Especially at restaurants. Impossible to eat out and hold a sleeping baby. So we caved and bought a Graco Snugride 35 (for our giant baby). It really was a good choice.

OTOH, I can see why people might want to skip it. Baby wearing is becoming very popular (yay) and the infant seats are very expensive.

 

[wld]

She is quite small and says she does not want to "lug" and infant seat it around. She says she sees too many people leaving their babies in it alot and it would be too heavy for her anyways. She is more into the baby slings, etc. that would keep the baby close to her when shopping etc when it is small. I admit restaurants would be a challenge. I jokingly told her we skipped sit downs anyway until they were 5 or so and just ate at home or fast food. I appreciate all the advice though. They don't have a tech within even a hour of their home according to another site devoted to car seats. I really have been all over the internet but wanted to know what the disers said about actually using these things!!!
Thanks everyone

 

[wld]

giggling over pregnancy brain...it can be soooo true...

 

[Fire14]

We have a Chicco Keyfit for our infant bucket seat and love it! I highly recommend it!

I originally didn't want an infant seat, I just figured I'd go straight for the convertible seat and I'd have to buy one less thing that way. Thankfully, my husband convinced me to get an infant seat first. I don't have to worry about waking a sleeping baby when we get to our destination, I can snap the seat to the stroller and go, it's a place for him to sit when we go out to eat...I can go on and on. I don't know what I was originally thinking about not wanting one, I blame pregnancy brain.

My mother was same way with my DN, I personally bought it myself as I had kid more than parents did and my mother was always asking to use it when she had him.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

She is quite small and says she does not want to "lug" and infant seat it around. She says she sees too many people leaving their babies in it alot and it would be too heavy for her anyways. She is more into the baby slings, etc. that would keep the baby close to her when shopping etc when it is small. I admit restaurants would be a challenge. I jokingly told her we skipped sit downs anyway until they were 5 or so and just ate at home or fast food. I appreciate all the advice though. They don't have a tech within even a hour of their home according to another site devoted to car seats. I really have been all over the internet but wanted to know what the disers said about actually using these things!!!
Thanks everyone

Restaurants are the only places I ever took the infant seat out of the car, but I also ate just fine with my babies in the sling or Moby wrap. As soon as they could sit up by themselves they went into high chairs (5 months for both of mine).