car seat help, 1st time mommy?

Question

am looking at travel sets. I went on consumer reports and baby center. i see that in consumer reports chicco was the one brand that did excellent on the crash test and preg preggo, britax, baby trend and graco did very good on the crash protection. we are thinking of getting the chicco travel set or one of the graco travel sets. I went on baby center to look up recalled car seat. graco had a recall in sept of this year so i am a lil sketchy. its seems like chicco and baby trend are the only brands my local stores have. I was reading the reviews on chicco and some people were please and some were just upset that they paid too much and that the car seat does not fit in to a shopping cart (i think thats scary though) i would like some advice. people that have used chicco baby trend and graco what have been your experiences. what do you reccomend, tips? Thank you, this is my first baby

Answer 1

I have a Baby Trend Flex Lock Infant Carrier and like it. This seat is easy to adjust to different heights(this comes in very handy), the seat also has the easy to use LATCh system(if you do not have the LATCH system do not buy this car seat). I have the travel system and love the whole set.

I do not own a Graco infant carrier, but do not see what all the fuss is about. With the Graco Snuge Ride you only have to height adjustments on it, you have to adjust it the hard way, you have to use the old fashioned LATCH system. The Graco Safe seat has failed crash test, so I would not recommend them to anyone.

I do not own a Chicco infant seat, but have looked at them and I think this is a really nice car seat. The Keyfit 30 can hold your child until 30 pounds(at least one year if not more), I love the base of this car seat, and this seat looks like it is made out of high quality products. For my next child(if we can afford it, I will buy this seat).

If you need to pinch penny's, or do not want to waste money on an infant carrier, why not consider buying a convertible car seat. These seat can be placed forward or rear facing and can be used anywhere from 5 to 80 pounds (depending on the brand of car seat). I do not recommend the 5 to 100 pound car seats. Here are some car seat brands that you may take a look at. Sunshine Kids Radian 65 or 80(if you buy one of these car seats from www. kyledavidmiller.org all the proceeds go to help family's in need get a nice car seat), Fisher Price Safe Voyage(made by Britax at half the price) Britax Marathon, Britax Decathlon and possibly the Evenflo Triumph Advance. Good luck to you in your search for a new car seat.

Please make sure to take your car seat to a fire department and have them install the car seat for you.

Answer 2

I would not worry about the shopping cart thing. I am thinking that this is when they are placing the bucket seat with the kid onto the same area where an older kid would sit. None of them fit perfectly - they are not made to. Most should fit fine or fit in the big part of the cart.

All of the brands you list are good. Personally I used the Graco Snug Ride (Bucket Seat, Bast and Stroller Set) and loved it.

I purchased a Britax seat for when she grew out of the Graco (was at 6 months for me) and then my older child got the Cosco Alpha Omega.

It depends on your car and which will fit. It depends on your needs and cost requirement.

The bucket seats are great because you do not have to disturb a sleeping baby and it has the stroller. You will have to get a new seat within the year so if $ is an issue you might want to look at some of the convertibles. Some Britax go from birth (facing backwards) to 65 lbs. The Cosco Alpha Omega goes from birth to 100 lbs and becomes the booster seat.

But without the bucket seat your new born will need a stroller and a way for you to carry them when you get out of the car.

Again it is up to you.

Once you get one and get it in the car, many fire stations will check to make sure you got it in right. Just call around.

(Test the belts and see if they are easy for you to manage - be careful of people's opinions because each has a different need)

(Also check the recalls - many times it is for something that is not a huge issue just read about it and see what you think)

Answer 3

I have a Graco now that is part of a travel system and I love it except my son is getting too big for it and will grow out of it soon. It is only rated to 22 lbs and my son was 17 lbs at his last checkup.
My car seat did not have a recall from Graco (it's the metrolite) and I love that the carrier is easy to remove from the base and fit right in the stroller or shopping carts and then easy to put back in the base in the car.
I am looking into Britax because of their safety features. I will ALWAYS buy a 5 point harness for my son-it's just safer.
Britax is more expensive but their convertible seats can go rear facing until he is one then forward facing until he weighs 45 or 65 lbs (depending on the model)

Answer 4

I went with Graco, and I love it. Mine is a little on the smaller side, and fits in most shopping carts. I think any of the one's that you've been looking at are all great brands to have. Make sure you get the one's that have the car seat base, those are very easy to intall and save a lot of time getting baby in and out of the car.

Answer 5

gracco is a great brand and used many of their products with my kids..i do know that there are many great car seats on the market you want one you can move easily when they are infants and then one that grows with them as a toddler...recalls are not necessarily a bad thing at least the company has admitted they were wrong and recalled the product..if you like chicco i would go with that brand..the baby will only be in a babyseat for a few months that is important when shopping but if you use a stroller...thats something else to think about...good luck in your choose

Answer 6

I've never heard of Chicco but my youngest is now 4. Graco and Cosco are the brands I always went with.

Answer 7

I had a Graco with my second child and we were in a car wreck and it kept him safe. It was inexpensive. I would not concern myself with what fits in a shopping cart... but that is just because I bought a bunch of these Slinglings for my baby and I would just leave the car seat in the car. They are too heavy anyway and the baby is much happier and content inside the sling. Very nice in the grocery store...

Answer 8

I have the Gracco Snugride (Metrolite) travel system. I love it and have nothing to complain about. Its easy to get in and out of the care with the base, and it fits nice in all shopping carts. The stroller is a little big but its really nice. When I bought this set (April 07) it was rated #1 in the consumer safety test. I would definetly suggest Gracco.

Answer 9

i believe graco is a good brand, i have a chicco lightweight stroller that is great also.

whatever travel system you get, i suggest getting one with a lightweight stroller. like the graco metrolite. it will save you a lot of hassle. they sell many large travel systems, but they are HEAVY and HUGE. i wish i would have got a smaller one because my son used his big eddie bauer one for only 4 months before i gave in and bought a new one.

Answer 10

I never had any problems with my graco car seats..

All car seats have to meet a minimal safety level so go with the one the best fits you car and yes there is a difference...