Other than the ride home, do I really need an infant car seat?

[Anonymous]

Ok, I know that they won't let me out of the hospital without an infant car seat and base, but....we don't have a car and will be primarily taking the babe on public transportation and walking in the city. So, other than getting the baby home from the hospital, is there any benefit to the car seat/stroller combo? I was thinking of borrowing the infant car seat from a friend whose baby just moved up to a toddler seat, and investing a bit more in a really great stroller.

However, I'd like to know if there is something I'm missing here. Your thoughts? Will I really want to be able to pick up the infant carrier and carry it around if I'm not driving? Would it be better to just get a stroller with a bassinet that I can carry around instead?

[Anonymous]

You know, this is a really interesting question... do people without cars need car carriers??! Never thought about it but now that I do, I completely agree with you. Those things are heavy and awkward, even with a newborn in them, especially as baby starts growing. They are nice to have in restaurants, but you could use your mobile bassinet for that. I say, you're on the right track. Skip the car carrier and go for something that works for you.

[maynie]

You don't have a car, but if you ever travel outside the city you'll need one. Ride with a friend, family member, or take a cab. I would say you need one even if you don't have a car, just not as much.


Edited because I just re-read your post. I see that a friend is giving you one to use, so you don't have to bother buying one. Sounds good to me.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a car, don't bother with the infant seat. I hated the damn thing, and we do have a car. With #2, I moved him to the convertible carseat at 4 mos because I hated lugging the infant seat around.

In addition to a stroller, invest in a sling, Bjorn, and/or other baby carrier. I have three (a sling/pouch, a Bjorn, and a Moby), and those are what I used most of all. Cozy for the baby and MUCH easier to deal with on public transportation.

[Anonymous]

If your friend no longer needs the infant car seat, you should probably keep it with you for the first 4-6 months. You'll need it if you rent a car, ride in someone's car, or use a taxi. I agree, there's no need for you to get the stroller that the car seat snaps on. In your situation, you'll be better off just getting a regular stroller.

[Anonymous]

I actually found the carriers to be easier (and peace of mind) to carry my infant - especially if the baby was sleeping or falling asleep.

I couldn't imagine going for walks, running errands, or even moving throughout the house having to use BOTH arms to constantly carry my newborn.

Now if you prefer the bjorn, sling, etc. that would be a good compromise. Just keep in mind that not all newborns will fit or will have strong enough neck muscles until a few weeks down the line.

[Anonymous]

Definitely do not buy a travel combo stroller. They are heavy and not that great. You should borrow the car seat from your friend. If you buy a nice stroller, many of them will fit the carseat Most infant seats, by the way, can be installed without the base for less frequent trips. Also, some babies like the carseat for sitting in or sleeping, especially if they have reflux. For later, I would recommend buying a cheap, but safe toddler car seat just to have for when you need it. I got a Cosco Scenera for 37 dollars at Kmart. Very light and easy to install quickly. Gets good reviews, too.

[Anonymous]

You may want the snap and go to take the baby places in his car seat if you will be eating out in a restaurant. Many restaurants do not let you bring your stroller to the table and it is not all that convenient to eat with a baby attached to you in a bjorn or sling. You may want the car seat to put the baby in a restaurant sling or upside down high chair so that he or she can sit and sleep while you eat. Of course after the baby can sit up he or she can just be in a high chair. If you don't think the restaurant thing will be an issue for you than you can forgo the snap and go or other car seat carrier stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want the snap and go to take the baby places in his car seat if you will be eating out in a restaurant. Many restaurants do not let you bring your stroller to the table and it is not all that convenient to eat with a baby attached to you in a bjorn or sling. You may want the car seat to put the baby in a restaurant sling or upside down high chair so that he or she can sit and sleep while you eat. Of course after the baby can sit up he or she can just be in a high chair. If you don't think the restaurant thing will be an issue for you than you can forgo the snap and go or other car seat carrier stroller.

We eat out all the time with our kids and after the first few weeks found that eating with baby in Bjorn or sling was still easier than lugging the carseat. Also, in terms of neck muscles, that's not an issue for sling or Bjorn (facing in); babies can be in a sling from day one, and in a Bjorn facing in once they reach 8 lbs. Finally, keep in mind that some infants HATE their carseats -- both of mine did.

That said, this is all about personal preference. Borrow your friend's seat and see how you feel about carrying it, etc.

[Anonymous]

Glad you asked this question, because I was wondering too. Do not have a car, and wondered why we need one more thing just to bring the baby home from the hospital. Was thinking of getting the Snap N' Go Infant Car seat carrier and an infant car seat (it looked like a good compromise and cheaper than a stroller that the baby may or may not use). Does anyone have luck with the infant car seat and Snap N' carrier?

[Anonymous]

I used my car seat for DD when I'd go to the store and didn't want to wake her up to put her in the baby bjorn so I would leave her in her car seat and put it in the shopping cart at the store. we also use it as a rocker when we're around the house or at a friends so she has her own seat no matter where we go. its nice but probably not necessary for someone w/out a car.....

[Anonymous]

PP - the carseat-plus-snapngo is a great alternative to a stroller for the early months... that said, if I didn't have a car, I think I'd tend to buy a stroller before the car seat (presuming of course you can borrow a car seat as needed.) Babies outgrow the bucket car seats soooo quickly (at 20 lbs and/or a length requirement that escapes me, but came within 4 months for my first). So within a few months - certainly less than 1 year in most cases - you're on the hook for another $250 car seat, the convertible model which is not easily transportable.

The snapngo approach is great b/c strollers are also pricey, and it's often good to wait and see what your actual needs are (city streets or the mall; short trips and easy folding or long walks and comfortable cruising; does the baby prefer a bjorn or sling?; etc)...but without a car, the calculation should be different. Also note that you can often find strollers at the various consignment stores in the close-in suburbs; it can be worth it to pick something up inexpensively and then decide what suits you best.

[Anonymous]

PP - I also have the $250 carseat, but you can also get great, safe carseats for MUCH less. Check out the NHTSB's car seat ratings. I previously posted about the Cosco Scenera I got for $37. Great seat if you don't need one often - works forward and rear-facing and very safe and easy to use.