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Q. I'm expecting and looking into purchasing a car seat stroller combo but would like the set to grow with the child so I'm not buying new ones every couple months any ideas??? Thanks.
Answer
Congratulations! There is going to be a lot of info here. I hope it doesn't make you feel overwhelmed!
There are two types of car seats that you can get for a newborn baby. One type is an infant only seat that comes with a base and a carrier. The base is installed in the car and the carrier can be clicked in and out of the base. This makes it transportable. The carrier can also be installed without the base and can be clicked into a stroller.
Most infants outgrow their infant car seats by as little as 6 months to as much as 18 months (for the tiniest and really petite children). Some infant car seats go up to 30 and 35 lbs; however, babies will outgrow these seats usually by height, not weight- when the child's head is less than 1 inch from the top of the seat, the seat has been outgrown. Here is how to measure that 1 inch: http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=278124&postcount=1
Most infant car seats have very similar shell heights. For example, the Graco Snugride Click Connect 40 infant car seat goes up to 40 lbs, but has the same shell height (height limit) as the Snugride 22, 30, 32, and 35 model. The Graco Snugride Click Connect 40 has different features that differ from other models. I just don't want you to be misled by reading the weight limit and thinking that it will last longer.
Another type of a car seat that can be used for a newborn is a convertible car seat. These are big seats that stay installed in the car at all times, which means that they are not transportable (unless if you uninstall them). A convertible car seat can be used for a newborn provided that the harness straps can be adjusted at or slightly below the baby's shoulders. This means that the bottom most harness slots need to be low enough to fit a newborn's torso. Slots less than 7 or 8 inches will fit most full-term newborns.
A convertible car seat can be used both rear and forward facing with the harness. (The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says to use the rear facing part of the seat until the child outgrows it in that position as rear facing is the safest way for babies and toddlers to travel). But when the forward facing function of the seat is used, the harness straps need to be coming from at or slightly above the child's shoulders. Slots higher than 17 inches will mean that it will last a child a long time. Selecting a convertible car seat with low bottom slots and tall top slots will mean that a convertible can be a child's last harnessed car seat, from birth to about age 5 or 6,
After riding in a car seat with a harness, a child then rides in a booster seat. Boosters are inexpensive, and some high-back models are under $100. So, what I am saying is that after the convertible car seat stage, you won't be spending a lot of money on car seats at all.
And I wouldn't buy a "3 in 1" car seat in hopes of saving money. These "3 in 1" car seats can be used both rear and forward facing with a harness and as a booster. Most of them are gimmicks that lure consumers to buy them as they advertise that they will be a child's "last seat". For example, here are some flaws on "3 in 1" seats.
The Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite is a tricky car seat to install and makes a terrible, terrible booster as it positions the lap part of the belt on the child's tummy. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put it on the "not recommended" list: http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters/not_recommended.aspx
The Evenflo Symphony 65 e3 makes a great rear and forward facing car seat with a harness. It only gives about 1 inch of growing room in booster mode after outgrowing the harness system.
The Diono Radian models make great rear and forward facing car seats with the harness, but booster mode will be outgrown at the same time harness mode is outgrown as it gives absolutely zero height room to grow in booster mode (the tips of the child's ears need to be below the top of the seat and there is no way to adjust the seat higher).
Congratulations! There is going to be a lot of info here. I hope it doesn't make you feel overwhelmed!
There are two types of car seats that you can get for a newborn baby. One type is an infant only seat that comes with a base and a carrier. The base is installed in the car and the carrier can be clicked in and out of the base. This makes it transportable. The carrier can also be installed without the base and can be clicked into a stroller.
Most infants outgrow their infant car seats by as little as 6 months to as much as 18 months (for the tiniest and really petite children). Some infant car seats go up to 30 and 35 lbs; however, babies will outgrow these seats usually by height, not weight- when the child's head is less than 1 inch from the top of the seat, the seat has been outgrown. Here is how to measure that 1 inch: http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=278124&postcount=1
Most infant car seats have very similar shell heights. For example, the Graco Snugride Click Connect 40 infant car seat goes up to 40 lbs, but has the same shell height (height limit) as the Snugride 22, 30, 32, and 35 model. The Graco Snugride Click Connect 40 has different features that differ from other models. I just don't want you to be misled by reading the weight limit and thinking that it will last longer.
Another type of a car seat that can be used for a newborn is a convertible car seat. These are big seats that stay installed in the car at all times, which means that they are not transportable (unless if you uninstall them). A convertible car seat can be used for a newborn provided that the harness straps can be adjusted at or slightly below the baby's shoulders. This means that the bottom most harness slots need to be low enough to fit a newborn's torso. Slots less than 7 or 8 inches will fit most full-term newborns.
A convertible car seat can be used both rear and forward facing with the harness. (The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says to use the rear facing part of the seat until the child outgrows it in that position as rear facing is the safest way for babies and toddlers to travel). But when the forward facing function of the seat is used, the harness straps need to be coming from at or slightly above the child's shoulders. Slots higher than 17 inches will mean that it will last a child a long time. Selecting a convertible car seat with low bottom slots and tall top slots will mean that a convertible can be a child's last harnessed car seat, from birth to about age 5 or 6,
After riding in a car seat with a harness, a child then rides in a booster seat. Boosters are inexpensive, and some high-back models are under $100. So, what I am saying is that after the convertible car seat stage, you won't be spending a lot of money on car seats at all.
And I wouldn't buy a "3 in 1" car seat in hopes of saving money. These "3 in 1" car seats can be used both rear and forward facing with a harness and as a booster. Most of them are gimmicks that lure consumers to buy them as they advertise that they will be a child's "last seat". For example, here are some flaws on "3 in 1" seats.
The Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite is a tricky car seat to install and makes a terrible, terrible booster as it positions the lap part of the belt on the child's tummy. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put it on the "not recommended" list: http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters/not_recommended.aspx
The Evenflo Symphony 65 e3 makes a great rear and forward facing car seat with a harness. It only gives about 1 inch of growing room in booster mode after outgrowing the harness system.
The Diono Radian models make great rear and forward facing car seats with the harness, but booster mode will be outgrown at the same time harness mode is outgrown as it gives absolutely zero height room to grow in booster mode (the tips of the child's ears need to be below the top of the seat and there is no way to adjust the seat higher).
What is the difference between all the different baby strollers and car seats?
Gimme
I know a lot of people are using the convertible units (even though I don't really know what they are)? I know I can purchase the stroller and car seat apart - but can I purchase them together - do they detatch and hook into one another? Are they worth buying? I am confused about all the different options. Please help.
Answer
Yes, they hook into each other such as this:
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/9f/d/AAAAAra-PF0AAAAAAJ_exA.jpg
There are infant carseat (like the one pictured) and convertible carseats like this one:
http://www.gracoinfantcarseatreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Britax-Decathlon-Convertible-Car-Seat.jpg
Convertible carseats are more upright and are bigger. Whereas infant carseats are smaller and made more for newborns/infants who don't yet have neck or back support. Convertible carseats can be used for infants, but normally are used for toddlers about 1+ years.
Travel systems (the stroller and carseat together) are very handy. They offer more support for an infant and allow the baby to face you. Not to mention, they are normally cheaper than buying both items separate.
Yes, they hook into each other such as this:
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/9f/d/AAAAAra-PF0AAAAAAJ_exA.jpg
There are infant carseat (like the one pictured) and convertible carseats like this one:
http://www.gracoinfantcarseatreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Britax-Decathlon-Convertible-Car-Seat.jpg
Convertible carseats are more upright and are bigger. Whereas infant carseats are smaller and made more for newborns/infants who don't yet have neck or back support. Convertible carseats can be used for infants, but normally are used for toddlers about 1+ years.
Travel systems (the stroller and carseat together) are very handy. They offer more support for an infant and allow the baby to face you. Not to mention, they are normally cheaper than buying both items separate.
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