Wednesday, August 4, 2010

So Many Choices!!


When Erik and I registered for baby stuff, we honestly had NO idea what we were doing. I tried my best, read all of the "lists," asked other moms advice, but it still seemed very overwhelming! The one item we were really concerned with was the car seat. I wanted to make sure we had a very safe seat and I wanted to make sure it was easy to install and to travel with. 

As far as looks were concerned, I decided to go with a gender neutral color because car seats are pretty expensive and if we happen to have a little girl next time around, I would love to use it again. I am actually glad we are having a boy first... if we were having a girl I would have definitely bought PINK everything! 

Erik is obsessed with consumer reports so he did his research. The highest rated infant car seat was the Chicco KeyFit 30. It happened to be on my "top 3" list. So we went with it. We registered for the "Adventure" (Green/beige) and were very happy to hear that it will support babies from 4-30 pounds. A lot of the other infant car seats only went up to 22 pounds. So this should last a little longer. 

My amazing aunt and grandmother bought it for Harper and gave it to me at our first shower. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It looks very well-made and sturdy. It even has little bubbles on the base to make sure the seat is level. I can't wait to try it out.

It retails for $179.99 but it is on sale at Target right now for $159.99 (with free shipping!) You can look at it here.

I took a car seat safety course a few months ago. I want to make sure I am doing everything the "right" way. I think I know how to install it properly but just to be safe I am going to take my car to the Safe Kids car seat check-up event on August 25th. It is going to be at the Parker Fire Department at 700 State Park Road Greenville, SC 29609. In order to register you can go online to http://www.safekidsupstate.org or call 864-454-1108. To find a car seat check-up event in your area, go HERE! 

What kind of infant car seat did you all use? Did anyone have the Chicco Keyfit? If so, what do you think about it? 

Erik and I also registered for the Chicco Cortina Travel System Stroller in Discovery. We wanted to each have a car seat in our cars and we figured we would get a stroller that could use both of the seats. It comes with the standard Keyfit car seat, not the Keyfit 30. But I think it will work great. Have any of yall used this travel system? If so, I would love to hear how it worked for you! 


8 comments:

  1. I have the Chicco travel system in those same colors and I love it! The seat is really cushioned so it's comfortable for the baby and the stroller is really sturdy. I totally agree with you on needed a car seat for each car. I'm not sure if you already know about this but Chicco sells just the base so you could get an extra base for the carseat you already have and then just buy the stroller. (Not sure if that'd be more expensive, but the bases are about $50.) Just an idea! Happy shopping & congrats on your baby!!

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  2. I have the exact same travel system and we LOVE it for our little girl! It has a lot of padding in the car seat which is great when they are tiny and it comes out easily to be thrown in the wash or to remove when they get bigger. We went with the green so it would be gender neutral if we have a boy next time. It has great safety ratings and is so easy to use. We got the travel system and an extra base (we just leave the carseat at daycare with her) so we can both always pick her up after work if our schedules change, no need for 2 car seats. The stroller rides very smooth and is so easy to fold up and throw in the car. I think this travel system is a Necessity! Hope you get it off your registry!

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  3. I had an Eddie Bauer infant car seat - when we moved to the next size up we got one that is good for rear facing up to 35lbs...this means my son will be in the safest position for as long as possible...he is 2y3mo now and only 30lbs so he has a long way to go before he needs to be turned around. Dont let anyone try to talk you into turning the carseat around on your baby's first birthday - there is no need for it and it just increases the risk of a broken neck in an accident.

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  4. That seat looks so cozy, with all that cushiony lining!

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  5. Girl- I purchased the exact same chico as the pic above and it was wonderful- keeping it around for baby number 2 someday. So easy to install, move, etc. i would definitely recommend it!

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  6. I have the Chicco travel system you pictured above, and we love it. I'll use it with baby number 2 this winter. I really don't see the need to have two infant carriers though. We just had a carseat base in each car, and the seat itself stayed with my son at school each day. When he moved into a convertible carseat at 7 months (he got way to heavy to carry in the carrier, and he wanted to sit up more in the car), we purchased two of those carseats, one for each car.

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  7. Don't worry, you're not alone in your confusion. I'm pretty sure every first-time mom has experienced the same frustrations and insecurities. You did a great job, in my opinion, with the travel system. That's the one we have and have used it for 2 kiddos now. I really don't have any complaints to report!

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  8. That's a GREAT travel system! I used it also for both of my girls and LOVED it! I would just go with the one carseat, though... Anywhere the baby is, the carrier/carseat will be also, so it's usually more convenient to just get a base for each car. You'll definitely need a forward-facing seat for each car when he gets older, though.

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