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baby travel systems maxi cosi image
laura
Hi.
I'm having my baby girl in couple weeks, and i haven't bought the car seat, I'm looking a comfortable one for her, could you please help me making this decision by your own experience with the brand.
Thanks.
Answer
Congratulations!
There are two types of car seats that a newborn baby can ride in. One of those types is the infant car seat. This seat comes with a base; the base is installed in the car and the carrier can be clicked in and out of the base. Most infant car seats also come with a travel system, where the carrier can be clicked in the stroller. In other words, this makes the infant car seat transportable. A downside to an infant car seat it that it may not last as long as expected. An infant can outgrow this car seat really quickly (around 6 months for huge babies and 18 months for those petite ones). An infant car seat with a 35 lb rear facing weight limit may not last until a child is 35 lbs. It may last until they are 25 lbs and have outgrown it by height. They are also really heavy. Bring a 12 lb bag of something with you to the store. Place it in the carrier and practice carrying it around.
A car seat needs to protect an infant during a crash, so as a priority, it is important to find an infant car seat that can be correctly installed in your vehicle.
Some infant car seats I recommend based on its features that make it easy to install:
-Graco Snugride 30 (or the 35 model)
-Safety 1st Onboard 35
-Cosco Comfy Carry Elite (must be the "Elite" or "Elite Plus" model)
-Chicco KeyFit 30
-Britax B-Safe
-Britax Chaperone
-Cybex Aton
All of these infant car seats above allow the handle to be left "up" in the carrier postion. I would never recommend a car seat made by BabyTrend or Evenflo because these manufacturers require the handle to be moved after the infant carrier has been clicked in. It is just one more thing to remember and a pain.
An infant needs their car seat reclined at 45 degrees. This can take up a ton of front-to-back space in the vehicle. Britax infant car seats take up the most room. Then Graco takes a little less. Then Chicco takes less Graco. The Cybex Aton takes the least amount of front-to-back space, but it is expensive for how long it lasts.
The Comfy Carry Elite Plus as a lot of features and is really affordable (about $70). Here is a review of it: http://carseatblog.com/10346/dorel-safety-1st-comfy-carry-elite-plus-infant-carseat-review/
Another type of infant car seat is a convertible car seat. A convertible car seat stays installed in the car, which doesn't make it transportable. When a child is rear facing, the harness straps need to be adjusted at or slightly below the child's shoulders. This means that the lowest set of harness strap slots need to be low enough to fit a newborn's torso. Slots less than 7 to 8 inches will fit most full term newborns. Look at lower slots 5 to 6 inches to fit smaller babies. Some convertibles come with infant inserts that are placed either under or over the cover. These are used to lift a baby up so that the harness fits them better.
Parents who use a convertible car seat use an infant carrier such as a sling, wrap, or the ergo to carry their baby around. Like Bobbi said, having a stroller that folds flat is best. It is best for a baby to lie flat instead of in a reclined position.
Convertible car seats that will fit full-term newborns (some will fit even preemies):
-Chicco Next Fit
-Evenflo SureRide
-Graco My Ride 65 (or 70 model)
-Maxi Cosi Pria 70 (must be with the tinyfit system)
-Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
-First Years True Fit
-Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
-Evenflo Triumph 65
Besides the Graco My Ride 65, these convertible car seats could last a child from birth to age 5 to 6. The Graco My Ride 65 might last to age 4 to 5, depending on your child's height (too many variables to determine).
Besides these convertibles, the Cosco Scenera, Cosco Apt, Safety 1st Onside Air, Evenflo Tribute and Graco ComfortSport also fit newborns great; however, they will not be a child's last car seat with the harness as these will only last to a child to approximately age 2 to 3.
Congratulations!
There are two types of car seats that a newborn baby can ride in. One of those types is the infant car seat. This seat comes with a base; the base is installed in the car and the carrier can be clicked in and out of the base. Most infant car seats also come with a travel system, where the carrier can be clicked in the stroller. In other words, this makes the infant car seat transportable. A downside to an infant car seat it that it may not last as long as expected. An infant can outgrow this car seat really quickly (around 6 months for huge babies and 18 months for those petite ones). An infant car seat with a 35 lb rear facing weight limit may not last until a child is 35 lbs. It may last until they are 25 lbs and have outgrown it by height. They are also really heavy. Bring a 12 lb bag of something with you to the store. Place it in the carrier and practice carrying it around.
A car seat needs to protect an infant during a crash, so as a priority, it is important to find an infant car seat that can be correctly installed in your vehicle.
Some infant car seats I recommend based on its features that make it easy to install:
-Graco Snugride 30 (or the 35 model)
-Safety 1st Onboard 35
-Cosco Comfy Carry Elite (must be the "Elite" or "Elite Plus" model)
-Chicco KeyFit 30
-Britax B-Safe
-Britax Chaperone
-Cybex Aton
All of these infant car seats above allow the handle to be left "up" in the carrier postion. I would never recommend a car seat made by BabyTrend or Evenflo because these manufacturers require the handle to be moved after the infant carrier has been clicked in. It is just one more thing to remember and a pain.
An infant needs their car seat reclined at 45 degrees. This can take up a ton of front-to-back space in the vehicle. Britax infant car seats take up the most room. Then Graco takes a little less. Then Chicco takes less Graco. The Cybex Aton takes the least amount of front-to-back space, but it is expensive for how long it lasts.
The Comfy Carry Elite Plus as a lot of features and is really affordable (about $70). Here is a review of it: http://carseatblog.com/10346/dorel-safety-1st-comfy-carry-elite-plus-infant-carseat-review/
Another type of infant car seat is a convertible car seat. A convertible car seat stays installed in the car, which doesn't make it transportable. When a child is rear facing, the harness straps need to be adjusted at or slightly below the child's shoulders. This means that the lowest set of harness strap slots need to be low enough to fit a newborn's torso. Slots less than 7 to 8 inches will fit most full term newborns. Look at lower slots 5 to 6 inches to fit smaller babies. Some convertibles come with infant inserts that are placed either under or over the cover. These are used to lift a baby up so that the harness fits them better.
Parents who use a convertible car seat use an infant carrier such as a sling, wrap, or the ergo to carry their baby around. Like Bobbi said, having a stroller that folds flat is best. It is best for a baby to lie flat instead of in a reclined position.
Convertible car seats that will fit full-term newborns (some will fit even preemies):
-Chicco Next Fit
-Evenflo SureRide
-Graco My Ride 65 (or 70 model)
-Maxi Cosi Pria 70 (must be with the tinyfit system)
-Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
-First Years True Fit
-Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
-Evenflo Triumph 65
Besides the Graco My Ride 65, these convertible car seats could last a child from birth to age 5 to 6. The Graco My Ride 65 might last to age 4 to 5, depending on your child's height (too many variables to determine).
Besides these convertibles, the Cosco Scenera, Cosco Apt, Safety 1st Onside Air, Evenflo Tribute and Graco ComfortSport also fit newborns great; however, they will not be a child's last car seat with the harness as these will only last to a child to approximately age 2 to 3.
What do you do with the travel system for an infant when flying?
loki_only1
So... my 6month old and i are flying cross country. I know we need the car seat base when we get to cali, and i'd really like to have the stroller in the airport. i know they can put the carseat under the plane once we get to the gate... but do i have to pack the car seat base in my luggage?!
I have NO idea what i'm doing on this one. I know what to take for the baby, just dont know what to do about the car seat/base/stroller.
Answer
Actually, you probably don't even need your car seat base! I did the same thing when I first traveled and even went as far as to ship the base to my destination. then found out later I never needed my base! But most likely, your car seat can be placed in your car using a seat belt. There should be instructions for how to do this, either on your car seat or look online. I know Graco, Peg Perego and Maxi Cosi car seats can be used without their bases.
If your carseats fits into your stroller, you can bring them both thru security but they may have to do a special check on the equipment so leave yourself some time. if they are separate, there may be an issue, but I'd call the airport you are going to for more information on how to get through security.
Actually, you probably don't even need your car seat base! I did the same thing when I first traveled and even went as far as to ship the base to my destination. then found out later I never needed my base! But most likely, your car seat can be placed in your car using a seat belt. There should be instructions for how to do this, either on your car seat or look online. I know Graco, Peg Perego and Maxi Cosi car seats can be used without their bases.
If your carseats fits into your stroller, you can bring them both thru security but they may have to do a special check on the equipment so leave yourself some time. if they are separate, there may be an issue, but I'd call the airport you are going to for more information on how to get through security.
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