infant car seat recommendations for car free family

[Anonymous]

I'm at the point in my pregnancy where I need to start thinking about getting a car seat. It seems like there are an overwhelming number of choices. Obviously I want to get a very safe car seat, but another major factor in my choice is that my partner and I don't own a car, and we use zipcar and car rentals when we need to drive somewhere. So, we won't be leaving the base in a car for any extended period of time, and I would guess we'd want something that is easily set up in a variety of cars, and something that isn't too bulky to carry. Any recommendations from others in the same situation?

[Anonymous]

When we were car free, we had a Snugride and rarely used the base. You can just strap the seat in with a seatbelt.

[Anonymous]

Look at snugride 22, 30 or 35 (different max weights) or a Keyfit 30. Those are all infant seats with bases that are extremely easy to install in cars. Also, you can put the seat in a car without the base.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the SnugRide. With my first child, we lived in NYC, and basically used the car seat for taxi rides--always without the base.

[Anonymous]

often find seats with discontinued patterns online really inexpensively. I think we got ours for $75.

[Anonymous]

Oops, 22:35 here-- not sure what happened but I was referring to the Graco Snugride.

[Anonymous]

I'm still pregnant with my first so take my advice with a grain of salt, but depending on how frequently you'll be driving in the first 2-3 months to me it seems silly to purchase a dedicated infant carrier. Most people I know get the infant carriers because they're in and out of the car several times on a daily basis and not having to wake the baby each time is worth it.

But if you rarely drive why not just start with convertible seat from the get go? Again, I don't have first-hand experience but from the message boards I've read the Britax convertibles are really popular mainly because they are so easy to install. Maybe you should get the smallest version Britax which I believe is the Roundabout.

[Anonymous]

convertible seats have to be completely installed and uninstalled each time they rent a car. If you do it for a day at a time I think a higher weight infant seat is the better way to go (much easier to install and unistall). If you are going to be renting for a week or longer each time you rent, then maybe a convertible would be better for you. I personally would go with a snugride 35 in your case. That way you will have at least a year (if not longer) before you have to deal with a convertible seat.

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar situation and have gone with the Combi, purchased at Kohl's: http://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cocorro-Lightweight-Convertible-Carrot/dp/B001RAFWEG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300123888&sr=8-1

[sybersus]

I'm expecting and in the exact same situation--thanks for the recs for the snugride. I'll be delivering at GW, and they told me that they wouldn't be able to release me and the baby without an "approved" car seat that was properly installed. Do you know if the snugride is one such car seat?

[Anonymous]

sybersus wrote:I'm expecting and in the exact same situation--thanks for the recs for the snugride. I'll be delivering at GW, and they told me that they wouldn't be able to release me and the baby without an "approved" car seat that was properly installed. Do you know if the snugride is one such car seat?

I'm sure the snugride is considered an approved seat. I'm a little confused by the rule though-- you HAVE to take the baby in a car? You can't walk or take the metro? Or maybe I'm misunderstanding.

FWIW, I delivered at Washington Hospital Center, and they just wheeled me and the baby to the door and dropped me off... no one checked the carseat, or even IF we had a carseat!

[Anonymous]

Actually, I think DC law only requires an approved car seat if the person leaves by car. (Though even those who could potentially walk home would probably want a car in the instance of discharge, as in addition to patient and baby there's a lot of stuff to bring home with you.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm still pregnant with my first so take my advice with a grain of salt, but depending on how frequently you'll be driving in the first 2-3 months to me it seems silly to purchase a dedicated infant carrier. Most people I know get the infant carriers because they're in and out of the car several times on a daily basis and not having to wake the baby each time is worth it.

But if you rarely drive why not just start with convertible seat from the get go? Again, I don't have first-hand experience but from the message boards I've read the Britax convertibles are really popular mainly because they are so easy to install. Maybe you should get the smallest version Britax which I believe is the Roundabout.

You're going to be a great mom, pp!

I totally agree with this. I just switched to the Britax Boulevard from our Snugride. The convertable Britax is SO much easier to install. Yes, it's bigger. But the whole purpose of the convertable is the longevity. The Snugride is lighter but you won't be getting the benefits of it (ease of snapping it in and out of a base and into a snap n go multiple times a day, every day). And you would only use the Snugride for a few months, as with any snap n go style infant carrier. Just go strait to the convertable seat. Britax is super easy to install.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm still pregnant with my first so take my advice with a grain of salt, but depending on how frequently you'll be driving in the first 2-3 months to me it seems silly to purchase a dedicated infant carrier. Most people I know get the infant carriers because they're in and out of the car several times on a daily basis and not having to wake the baby each time is worth it.

But if you rarely drive why not just start with convertible seat from the get go? Again, I don't have first-hand experience but from the message boards I've read the Britax convertibles are really popular mainly because they are so easy to install. Maybe you should get the smallest version Britax which I believe is the Roundabout.

You're going to be a great mom, pp!

I totally agree with this. I just switched to the Britax Boulevard from our Snugride. The convertable Britax is SO much easier to install. Yes, it's bigger. But the whole purpose of the convertable is the longevity. The Snugride is lighter but you won't be getting the benefits of it (ease of snapping it in and out of a base and into a snap n go multiple times a day, every day). And you would only use the Snugride for a few months, as with any snap n go style infant carrier. Just go strait to the convertable seat. Britax is super easy to install.

Awww, thanks! I needed to hear that today. Even if all it really means is that I've got the baby gear down..

[Anonymous]

We found the Chicco Keyfit to be incredibly easy to install/un-install.