Infant car seat or straight to convertible?

Question

FTM and I’m really confused about the car seat situation. What is the benefit of buying an infant car seat or a convertible?

Answer

I babywear and the infant seat, especially with baby in it, is too big/heavy/awkward for me to carry around so we went straight to a convertible for our second due in June. If the only place we need it is in the car why spend the extra money on a second seat that comes out when we can just buy one? Also, littles shouldn’t be in their infant seat for long periods of time or sitting anywhere but on the base/stroller except to get them in and out. It can restrict their airways but so many people let them because it’s convenient. People like to click them onto shopping carts, too, which can damage the locking mechanism causing it to malfunction in an accident. To me they aren’t worth it but most people love them. Our weather ranges from -60 to 115 throughout the year so we plan ahead and either heat/cool the car ahead of time and dress appropriately during transitions. No issues there.

Answer

For us the infant seat was essential. I had multiple dr appts for months after he was born, and it gave us a place for him to safely sleep or hang out while I was having my blood drawn. We also live where it gets cold (-53 degree wind chills this year), so we needed to be able to get him in and out of cars without being directly exposed.

Answer

I loved the infant seat. When I’m running into the store or going into a restaurant to eat, baby always had a seat and I didn’t have to wear him. Yes it can get heavy to carry but I didn’t mind it. With the convertible seat it stays in the car and you have to take baby in and out every stop you make. Also it gets cold (-10/-20 some winter days) here so I wouldn’t want to have to get baby out and wrap them up in the parking lot.

Answer

I've done both and I far prefer using a convertible right from the start. Most people just *think* it's difficult when in practice it's just as easy. The infant seat only lasts a few months, maybe a year if you're lucky.

Answer

So I am going to provide a different perspective from FTM. I got the infant seat and stroller for my first (born in June). I was so exhausted and in pain, I honestly didn’t leave the house much. I had 7 months off work so unless we were meeting a friend or had an errand that had to be done when my husband was at work, we didn’t go. Looking back, I would have just done the convertible knowing how little I used the infant carrier. My mom now takes the infant set up as she watches baby Monday and Friday.
Neither one is a mistake - just depends on how often you’ll want to go about town! GL

Answer

I love my infant seat! My baby is 14mo and has almost outgrown it. It did get too heavy to carry around with baby in it, but I click him into my stroller a minimum of 4 times a week which is SO convenient. Some people mentioned cold, but it was also so nice to bring it inside when it was too hot out and we were visiting at a friend’s house. I also really like being able to take out the seat to leave it with my husband if I take my car but leave baby or leave it with the babysitter without having to uninstall my base (we have extra bases). When my baby was really not liking being put in the car seat, it was especially helpful to buckle him with the car seat on the ground and then click him into the base  I literally thought he was going to fight away from me and fall into the car a few times.

Answer

Personally I didn’t want a carrier, we bought the convertible and my mother ended up buying a travel system for us as a gift ( stroller and infant car seat). I ended up installing the infant car seat in my husband’s car and I have the convertible in mine, as we are mostly in my car. I wore my son when out and about, as it was just easier to maneuver around.

Answer

I considered staying with s convertible seat but ended up deciding on an infant seat first, because I wanted a travel system. This way car seat = carrier = stroller. He'll be rear facing for quite a while anyway so I figure I'll get my money's worth

Answer

I have the infant seat and I love it and hate it. Currently loving it because it’s easy to carry and I can just put him in the cart without having to figure out how to wear him and also clicks into the stroller but I’m also regretting not atleast putting a convertible car seat on our registry since they’re so expensive. The convertible will also be used for much longer than the infant seat.

Answer

Infant! You don’t wanna take a tiny baby in and out of a car seat.

Infant car seat or straight to convertible?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products