Infant Car Seat

I just bought the Graco Safeseat. It has a higher weight limit and length limit and so can be used for a lot longer than most infant car seats. It had good reviews. It was a little pricier but I feel it was worth it.

Based on the recommendations from the car seat guru's the Chicco KeyFit 30 and the Graco SafeSeat are most highly recommended due to easy of installation, ease of use (tightening straps), they both allow the handle in the upright position while driving, and have higher weight and height limits so you will get a lot more use out of them than the standard infant seats....the SafeSeat can be found online right around 100 or less...features that you want are front harnesses tightener...some of the cheaper seats you have to reach around...the evenflo and trendloc the handles have to be down which can eat up space in some cars...and do not go by the last Consumer Report recommendations their studies were flawed and did not give great advice.

B.

I agree with K. M. The Graco SnugRide fits your price range, is one of the lightest, is rated one of the safest (safer than the Graco SafetySeat), can travel with the handle up, has a belt-tightener in the front, and the extra base for $40. All of these things (but especially the safety rating and weight of the seat) sold it for me. I used the Baby Bargains book for reasearching all of my gear.

I recommend contacting your police department install group first. They are highly trained & usually recommend a specific one. I had bought one for my older daughter, brought it in & ended up bringing it back to the store after the installer explained the pros and cons of the one I had vs. the one she recommended from her extensive training. They install for you & certify it... in the event there is ever an injury, etc. having it certified must be of some advantage... and perhaps just to help you to make sure it is installed & used properly. Piece of mind if anything!

I have the graco infant seat that I bought for my daughter who was born in June 2006. If you want to check it out look on http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bab/661000373.html. I loved it.

I vote for the Graco Snugride. There are a million different styles and price ranges, and it's probably the safest and easiest on the market. Also, make sure you get the stroller base that Graco makes to be compatible with it. We just used ours again today with our 1 week old and it's great.

Congratulations!

You may want to rethink getting the convertible one as your now toddler has to be in a booster seat until 8 yrs. of age or 80 lbs., unless you are planning to buy the toddler a bigger booster soon.

I used the Graco Snugride. It was easy and came recommended in Consumer Reports for safety and lack of recalls. It worked great for me. I bought an extra base for our other vehicle. The extra base was about $40.

Try looking on craigslist.com

Graco car seats are usually rated very high by moms and consumer reports. They are usually the cheapest too.

I also recommend the Graco Snugrider.

Hi A.,

When I was trying to find all my babies needs I would either look on www.Epinions.com/ (which gives very technical reviews by consumers) or Babies R Us. Babies R Us gives consumer reviews on their products. Mostly I used Epinions. They also give you the estimated prices of the items and where to find them.

Good Luck out there. There are so many to choose from and everybody has there own opinion. The best way is to check out any government feedback from each manufacturer.

I have one that is used - 1 child in non-smoking home. I purchased in 2005 (so under the 5 year mark they suggest for used) and has never been in any accident. If you are interested, please contact me - I have a picture I can email to you. It is a Graco Snug Ride in a black and cream Toile pattern. It is in near perfect condition. I purchased for over $150 and have it listed on Craig's list for $85.

Call the hospital that you will be having your child at. Some hospitals have programs where you can purchase a car seat (Graco) for $25. That is the one we have and I love it!