Do you need two different car seats?

I was just looking at a friend's registry and I realized that she has an infant car seat and then a different (presumably bigger baby/toddler) car seat. Do they not make one that you can use the whole time?

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

This is the dilemma we were having because we got a car seat that she can grow into. We thought about getting the infant seat, for convenience when we go shopping, etc. but honestly came to the conclusion that we won't need it. If it comes with the carriage you want then that's great, but I personally don't think it is needed. They only use it for a few months or when they reach 22lbs.

This is the car seat we got:

3 in 1

Message edited 7/24/2007 8:03:12 PM.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

it's personal opinion. Some feel that the larger carseats do not have the proper support for an infant, so they get an infant-specific seat at first. Plus - it has the bonus of not having to wake a sleeping infant in the beginning to get her in and out of the car! But it can get heavy.

Message edited 7/24/2007 8:16:28 PM.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

My sister (who has twins) got the "snap-in" type of car seat so she could easily get the babies ready and buckled into their seats while safely inside her house, then she "snaps" the seats into the bases in the back of her car. Whenever I visit her, I can't imagine how she would hold one baby and try to get the other one into their car seat with the car door open.

I think I'll probably register for the same type so that DH and I can both have a base in each car, but the baby will only have one actual "seat."

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

Unless money is really, really tight you should buy both the infant seat and then the convertible seat.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

We registered for an infant and a convertible, thinking that we'll be happy to be able to take the infant seat out of the car w/out waking the baby, and using it with the stroller or just carrying it around.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

I think I would have died without my infant seat.....it's a lifesaver!

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

I registered for both. DD is almost ALWAYS fast asleep after a car ride and I am one to always *let sleeping babies lie*.

I use the Snugrider frame with the carseat- I love it!!

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

The 'bucket" aka the infant car seat is what you carry them around in when they are young. They can remain sleeping after a car ride and you do not have to worry about disturbing them. The base stays put in the car and you just take the 'bucket' with you.

Once they get a bit bigger (20 lbs+) the bucket is too heavy and they may not be as comfortable in the 'bucket' ... so you move them to the convertable car seat (rear facing) ... and seat that stays put and you take the baby in and out.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

I don't know anyone who didn't use the infant seat.

The fact that you can remove the seat from the base & put them down inside to continue sleeping it worth the extra $ alone.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

I am getting the infant seat and then a convertible. From what I have read, this is the safest way to go and I would rather spend more money on 2 better rated carseats than a lot of the other baby stuff.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

Thanks! I wasn't sure if it was a convenience or a safety thing. As it's obviously safety, it's a non-issue.

Re: Do you need two different car seats?

we only put the infant car seat on the registry