Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat

[PghLybrt]

So my best friend and his wife are expecting their first child ! They have registered for the baby shower and I already told them I would buy the car seat . They picked out a Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat. Now my question is not about the cost but is it a good car seat? I don’t want to buy something because it seams like its safe but it really isn’t. Any body have any experience with these? Also, and this may sound dumb, do I have to buy the base also or do they just sell it separate so you can put it in another car also? (I don’t have any children so this is all new to me and them! ) Thanks!

 

[fabumouse]

If you're buying the car seat new (and not somehow in pieces), you don't need to buy a separate base - yes, it is just so you don't have to transfer the base from car to car that they also offer the base separately. The carseat comes with the whole sh'bang.

You are a VERY GOOD friend to buy such a lovely car seat for them. It is a great carseat. I had one for my DD5 that I donated to a shelter and I have their new version (with the side-impact protection). There is nothing bad to be said about these seats, except perhaps for the price.

They are comfortable for the baby (they are better padded than most) they are easily adjustable, they have a special and easy to use system to keep it level. Installation is a breeze. They are consistently rated by consumer reports as a great car seat. I wouldn't buy any other, myself.

 

[PghLybrt]

Thank You1 Never buying one before (or going to a Babies r us…seriously never!) I had no idea if I had to buy both and the seat alone is going to be a nice chunk of change. But they registered for both the seat and the base so I was confused.


And I feel much better knowing its a good one, my best friend has a tendency to find a cheap and easy way out of things and I did'nt want him to do that with his daughter!

 

[fabumouse]

And I feel much better knowing its a good one, my best friend has a tendency to find a cheap and easy way out of things and I did'nt want him to do that with his daughter!

I suspect that someone in their family did their research on this one - the Peg Perego line is one of the best (they make rather nice high chairs as well) and they really pay attention to details. And with a new baby, every convenience is a godsend.

Enjoy the new baby and be glad *you* will still be getting nice, restful, toe-wiggling sleep in the near future.

 

[katerkat]

Thank You1 Never buying one before (or going to a Babies r us…seriously never!) I had no idea if I had to buy both and the seat alone is going to be a nice chunk of change. But they registered for both the seat and the base so I was confused.

They probably registered for both because you can install a second base in another car and switch the carseat between two cars easily. I'm loaning my sister my carseat base, so she can have two, since Russ has outgrown the infant one and he won't be getting a sibling to use it in the next year before his cousin outgrows it!

 

[jennobrn01]

Primo Viaggio's are a great car seat. We have used ours for both of our boys. Sound construction. Much heavier (in weight) than other infant car seats I've lifted. Easy to operate. Base does come with seat.

One drawback. We found that our infants developmentally outgrew it. The Primo Viaggio has a narrow flat area for the infant's torso, and the sides slope up sharply. Both my boys once they reached about 5-6 months felt like they were down in a pit. The would fuss and cry every time a put them in the seat.

So we then bought a Britax Marathon. Wonderful! Once they were sitting up they wanted to sit in the cart or stroller on their own rather than in the infant seat. So the Britax was perfect.

 

[nightowlky]

Just make sure they're aware of how to properly install a car seat. Rear-facing for infants, never in a front seat (esp. if there are passenger airbags).

Also, and this is easier when it's facing frontward, place a knee in the seat to add "weight" to the seat when buckling it in (and be sure to pull the belt tight while the knee is pressing in the seat). That assures the seat is fastened as tightly as possible.

The wife of a former co-worker worked in a child safety seat program for the state here.

 

[PghLybrt]

Thanks for the information and suggestions!

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, I am a carseat-aholic ... having 5 kids just makes me that way.

One of my fave sites for anything carseat related is www.car-safety.org . There are recommendations, a forum, and even a listing of carseat safety inspection sites.

I have read that the 2006 Primo Viaggio has a higher weight and height limit of 22 pounds and 29 inches. It is made wider and the base is easier to install. Please make sure you buy the newest model because the older one's may be at a discount to make way of the newer models, but those have lower weight/height restrictions plus the bases are harder to install. Thank goodness for improvements in its technology.