Opinions on good infant car seats

[blessedby3]

I've just recently found out Im expecting our 4th child, (oldest is 17, youngest is 8) and havent had to purchase an infant seat in quite a while. There are so many on the market that I dont know what to look for and which ones are better than others. I dont want to pay over $100 for one since I know we wont be using it for too awfully long. Thanks for any input or suggestions on which ones are the best and most convienent.
(Edited to say I dont want an infant car seat/travel system with stroller)

 

[drivencrazy]

I was going to tell you to get the travel system......... but see that you do not one of them!!! (at BigLots they have the last year modles for 1/2 price if not less.... car seat and stroller for $100 or less wish I had known that before we bought ours)

Anyway... make sure to get a 5 point system, they shouldn't be any 3 piont carseats on the market anymore, but you never know.

Make sure it is easy to clip and un clip... the one we just got done using you had to put both sides of the clip together (fitted just right and keep it together...)and then get it into the buckle part. It wasn't bad when the baby was little and didn't move much, but when he was older and would kick and move around it was a pain.

Look and see how easy the straps are to adjust... some of them you have to fit to the baby and can only change them in the back, making it harder to get the right fit. There are plunty of carseats that now have a pull strap on them that tightens the straps to the baby and are loosened by pushing the release.

If your not getting the travel system, why not look into a carseat that goes from 5-60 pounds?? The only draw back to them is that you have to take the baby out, not just carry the carseat in....... something to think about. Might save some $$ in the long run.

But I would deffently go to a baby store and feel and tryout all kinds of seats to see what you like the best!

Best of Luck!

 

[blessedby3]

Thanks for the help, drivencrazy. The reason Im not getting a stroller/carseat combo is because I want to get a Maclaren stroller. I bought a Volo for our DD8 a few years ago for a Disney trip and said then that I wish I had known about the Maclaren line years ago when I actually used a stroller everyday. They are great and that is why I dont even want to get the combo. I dont want the convertible car seat for the reason you mentioned. I liked having the bucket with my other 3 kids to carry in and out of stores or restraunts. I think I know what you are talking about when you describe the clip. Seems like someone I know had a carseat like that. You are right about it being a pain. I will definately have to check in the stores to see which ones have that crazy clipping deal.
Anyone else have a favorite infant seat they would like to share? Thanks

 

[all4fun]

I've been out of the infant seat market for quite a while myself. This site has a list of recommended seats with their pros and cons though:
http://www.carseatsite.com/recommended_car_seats.htm#Infant_Seats

The ones listed are the Graco Safeseat 1, the Chicco Keyfit, and the Combi Centre. I see the Keyfit and the SS1 recommended the most frequently on the babycenter car safety tips board here.

hth!

 

[Lindymom]

I like the Graco infant seats best. I had a Snug Ride for my son, but he was so long that he grew out of it at four months old! So for my daughter, I bought a new one, the Safe Seat, and I love it.

If your kids tend to be on the heavier or longer side, a Safe Seat is a great choice because it's more likely to get them through the whole first year. It's so nice to be able to use the infant seat to get her into the grocery store, the stroller, whatever.

Also, if you're going with a Maclaren, you might also want to get an infant car seat stroller frame. Most of the Macs can't accomodate the infant car seats.

Good luck!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I have used both evenflo discovery and a the graco snugride. Both of these brands are on targets website for under 100 dollars and worked just fine for us. The graco is exact what it says snug, I used this one with my second DD and as much as I liked it my DD out grew it kind of quickly she is a little heavier than 1st dd. We use the evenflo with first DD and really enjoyed the fact that she really had a lot of room to grow in to the carseat. The graco is slimmer than the evenflo as far as space as well and some of the bases of the evenflo's are kind of bulky.

Of course the best thing to do is go to babiesrus if you have one near you because they carry all of the brands or check with some local baby stores toysrus is the next best place to go and check out how these function for you. If you decide you like the more expensive brands you can check out ebay they usually have the combi's for sure on sale. They are usually last years models but its worth looking into one seller on ebay is babysurplus they are a store on ebay.

 

[all4fun]

I forgot to add this link to a really good car seat buying guide in my other post:

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/infantshop.aspx

Two of the main things to look for in an infant seat are a 5-pt harness and a front harness adjuster.

Also, just fyi, the Evenflo Discovery the pp mentioned isn't a highly recommended seat by car seat techs because it only has a 3-pt harness. If you click on the above link it explains why a 5-pt harness is better.

hth!!

 

[blessedby3]

Thanks for all the input guys. I have checked many of the links you have posted and am getting good information. I will definately go to the stores and check them out. We dont have a babiesrus, just toysrus, but will try that. Also have a Burlington Coat factory. I think they have a big selection.

 

[MrsTink04]

Hi! We have the Chicco Keyfit and it is wonderful...very easy to use. It gets very high marks on safety.

Congrats on your pregnancy!