Baby Registry Basics: Car Seats

Car Seats

Do not buy a used one. They are invalid if they have been in any accident (most insurance will pay for a new car seat) and have expiration dates from time manufactured (not purchased).

If it is from a friend or family who you know and that’s one thing, if it’s from Facebook marketplace - it’s better off buying a safe affordable one than a used luxury one. Some stores do trade-ins, so always accept any old one if offered - plus having a travel or an emergency back up isn’t a total bad option.

The most important thing is that it is installed properly and you check regularly because they do loosen over time.

I see benefits in the infant car seat (the one where it fits in a stroller and can be taken out of a car easily) and convertible car seat (one that can be used rear-facing and front-facing). In my case, I have a lightweight child and will end up needing both.

Infant Car Seat

My recommendation is you get an infant car seat with a travel system.

It makes life easier to transport a child and have their car seat attach to a stroller system. It also makes it easy if your child goes in different cars because you just need to install a base (which is easy, safer if you install the base properly, and cheaper).

The downside is they are only good for infants up to a certain weight. When your child outweighs the requirements, you may need to buy a convertible car seat (for safety reasons or because they are not old enough to be rear-facing).

This is a good option if you plan on having kids close in age because you can buy the older kid a new car seat (probably a convertible) when the younger one is born.

Things to look for: no-rethread harness, easy to install base (built-in levelers are great, LATCH anchors are only helpful if the seat you are putting the car seat on has LATCH), weight limit 30+ lbs, accessories that come with or are made by the manufacturer (anything like newborn inserts or seat belt covers that are 3rd party have NOT been tested in your specific car seat’s crash testing, therefore use at your own discretion), built-in compatibility or adapters for stroller of choice

Recommended product: Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat

Pros: It’s mid-price range and compatible with most stroller systems. It is for babies up to 35 lbs, so it should last you until your baby (even the big ones) is old enough to be moved to front-facing, if so desired. I read somewhere that Kate Middleton likes Britax.

Other good ones: Chicco, Maxi-Cosi (both have weight limits to 30 lbs), Nuna (luxury)

What we have: Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat

We only got this because we bought a Graco travel system from Babies R Us when they were closing (a stroller, car seat, and base for like $50). I didn’t like our original Graco Car Seat (because it was a rethread harness and it only held a baby up to 30 lbs). We already had 2 bases and a stroller so it made sense for us to keep Graco. The only thing I don’t like about Graco is that they are not compatible with the luxury stroller brands which was a bummer when I realized our stroller wasn’t going to work out. We stopped actually taking the car seat out of the car to transport my daughter once she was almost 20 lbs, but it is nice to have the option when she naps to transport her without risking waking her up.

Convertible Car Seat

Convertible car seats are a one and done option, far more economical. They’re typically more expensive than an infant seat, but will last you until your kid is ready for a booster seat (or it might even convert to one). Another downside is they aren’t as easy to move from car to car - so if you carpool or have a nanny, it’s easier if they have their own car seat. The nice thing about convertible car seats is that it can also be used as a secondary car seat when your baby is an infant - however, be aware of expiration if you plan on having children spread across ages and want to reuse it.

What I would love to get: Nuna Rava & Cosco Scenera

A lot of my friends have the Rava and it looks so sleek and safe. It’s super expensive but my husband and I learned that we no longer have our own cars, the car with the car seat is that car you drive when you are caring for our daughter. The Exec (sold at Nordstrom) is super cool, but as someone very petite, I find a car seat (unless your state has super strict car seat laws) that can hold someone 120 lbs excessive.

I like the Cosco Scenera for travel or when she drives with her grandparents. It’s super lightweight and has really good safety ratings. Plus it’s very inexpensive! It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but I’d rather have one expensive safe car seat and one less expensive safe car seat, instead of identical mid price brands - for our lifestyle at least. If it gets damaged on a plane, I won’t cry because it’s not going to kill us to buy another $50 travel car seat.

Other good brands: Graco, Chicco, Britax

**Nothing is promoted. Nobody has paid me for my free advertising on any of these brands