HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I am so confused All of the reasons to get an infant carseat don't apply to me and yet people still act like I'm out of my mind when I say we're not getting one.

.I live in a courtyard coop where I have to park about 1/2 a block away (on a good day), walk through the courtyard and then up the stairs to my 2nd floor coop. I am a weakling - I cannot possibly carry the infant seat so the mobility factor is irrelevant as it would live only in the car;
.We registered for (and someone bought) the Bumbleride Flyer as our stroller, which has 5 pivot points including a pram-like flat position so it's fine for an infant on up;
.We registered for 2 (and already have 1) convertible car seats (the #1 on consumer reports) which can be used rear facing 5-25 lbs, covering an infant.

Please please give me your honest opinions - despite the above info, should I still get one?

Message edited 12/9/2007 8:11:38 PM.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

The one thing I think is the infant car seat is good for carrying your baby into a restaurant also if you get the frame it is easy for shopping. Maybe a friend has one you can borrow?

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I would say yes. I've heard that infants are safer in the carriers in the event of an accident. Also at that age they sleep so much and I wouldn't want to wake them up every time.

Have you thought about getting the carrier frame (name escapes me). It's really small and folds flat. You can use it to and from the car.

ETA: I remembered it's called a "Snap 'n Go"

Message edited 12/9/2007 8:19:48 PM.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I'd get it. We are still using it for DS and he is 7.5 months old.

You get stronger carrying that thing. And it really helps in stores like Target where it snaps right into the cart and it will make those things easier with a tiny baby.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

As a BTDT mom of an infant...YES! Get an infant seat and a Snap & Go or something along those lines.

You will probably want the portability that an infant seat will give you. Just taking the baby to the doctor, it's easier to plop the infant seat in the base and then plop it in a stroller frame. There will also be times when the baby is sleeping and you won't want to wake the baby up by transferring the baby to a stroller. Plus, being that you are having the baby in the winter, you may not want to do a transfer in the cold and just keep the baby bundled in what the baby was in in the car.

Also, sometimes a full size stroller is harder to get in and out of the car then a frame. It might be easier for you when making trips out. Another plus with an infant seat, is it snaps into a lot of shopping carts so you can just plop the seat in the grocery cart when shopping.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I'm probably going to be your only answer saying that you don't need it if you don't want it.

My son was born at 10lbs and was miserable in the infant car seat. I put him into the Marathon at about a month old.

The carseat was SOOOO heavy when he was in it - I couldn't even carry it (I had a csection)

But, the pros to it are mainly for shopping purposes. You can just snap it into a shopping cart. Now, I have to wheel him in a stroller - and pull a cart behind me. It's a huge PIA! Also, when the baby is sleeping in the car - you dont' have to wake him up when he's in the infant carrier (you just carry that into the house) I always wake my son up when transferring him from the car to the house. That stinks too!

Do whatever you feel is best though!

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I think you could skip it. I lived on the 3rd floor, if I could not find parking, it became 4 floors up. the thing stayed in my car.

The only time it comes in handy is at the supermarket, mine was too large to sit in the seat part of the cart, so it always had to go in the back of the cart anyway. But really, he would scream, and I used the bjorn.

I have the bugaboo. I just pulled it out no matter where we were. The drs, out to eat...

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

Honestly I have one and don't see the need for it. I also have the bumbleride flyer which I love. I take DD in and out of the car seat and put her directly in the stroller and she's fine....even when she's asleep. I read somewhere that infants shouldn't spend too much time in an infant car seat....it's not good for their breathing.
I also have the Graco snap n go and don't like it. It's not easy to maneuver and the basket is a PITA to get to. I know I'm in the minority but honestly if I had to do it over again I would go straight to a convertible seat and skip the infant car seat. Not to mention they outgrow them pretty fast. My SIL has the Graco safeseat that goes up to 30lbs and her 6month old DD who is only 17 lbs already outgrew the length. I would save your $$ and register for a good convertible seat...i.e. Britax.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

ok, honest opinion from my personal experience... We had the infant and convertable for our daughter when first born. I could not put her in the convertable at first or at least for well over 6mths. She was way too small and even though it tilted back and I had head rests and extra support in there for her she was still not snug or safe in my opinion. It's not that its not possible (you can certainly use it and work for you). Now, I can understand the carrying part and long walk ( I feel for you- my GF did the same with her son). With the infant seat she slept in it a lot and evertime I had to take her out to put her in her crib or swing or stroller she would wake it was never a pretty sight

I know it can work. Try it out. Get both and try them both out for a month, see which is more convenient for you and safe/comfortable for your child as well. You can always return.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

Thank you for all of your (conflicting) opinions

I think I'm going to stick with what I have and if it's super inconvenient, we'll just go out and buy one after the baby's here. I just can't see asking someone to spend another $100 on the seat and $60 on the frame if I'm really not going to use it. I should have added I plan to use the bjorn (active) for much of what people indicated they use the infant seat for as well.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I used the Bjorn a lot as well, it was great. however wanted to add that the infant can not go int he bjorn until I think it's 3mths. I tried earlier and it just didn't seem right with her in it, then read ( ) the instructions and it said to not use it for an infant under 3mths. Just an FYI. Time goes by so fast and in reality you use these things for such a short time. So if you can deal with it for a bit than do what you think is best.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

It say that your little one would be safer in the car because it is especially for babies/newborns. Also, even if you keep it in the car when you go into the food store or any store you would want to have the baby in the infant seat. Also, since babies sleep a great deal in the beginning, it's a great way to move baby in and out of the car without disturbing DC.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I would get the car seat anyway - it is supposed to be safer for infants than the convertible seats are - BUT also it is useful for errands, going to restaurants etc. If you don't have an infant seat what will you use for your child to sit in if you go out to eat before they can use a high chair.

I lived in an apt when I was pregnant although we moved before I gave birth (one month before) we were planning on staying for a bit longer in the co-op (2nd floor). I had a long walk around the buildings to my car- I planned on using the snap and go.

You could either leave the infant seat in the car or get a snap and go which is just an inexpensive frame - and can easily be carried up stairs. I use it when we do quick errands b.c it is a real pain to get DD in and out of infant car seat - she hates going into it so I try to take her out as little as possible. I use my good stroller for the mall etc.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

I love my snap and go. DD was big when she was born (9.7). She is over 10 lbs now and fits fine in it. The sucker is very heavy when she's in it, but I just pop it in the frame and go. Totaliy worth the money IMO. It's so nice that I don't have to wake her up since she always falls asleep in the car.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

My DS would have been way too small for a convertible seat and he probably still is. Smaller babies are lost in convertible seats and I believe I read that it is not as safe if you end up having a smaller baby.

In winter, the easiest way to get baby ready is to put him in the infant carrier with the Bundle Me and a blanket and get the baby ready while you are indoors.

I agree that th infant carrier is awkward to carry, though. I just got a sling type thing to carry baby in and I will see if it is easier to leave the carrier and use that. We got a Baby Bjorn for DH and the sling for me.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

wait for a 15% off sale and buy it. Keep the receipt. Try it and if you know for sure that you don't need it or want it then return it! It's as simple as that. Trial and error.

You have a point but so do the girls that are advising you to get it.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

Personally I could not have survived the first couple of months without the infant seat. It makes things so much easier. Just to be able to let them sleep when you go inside somewhere is worth it to me. You can make it work without the infant seat but I think life is much easier with it. And yes it can be heavy but you do get used to it.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

Ok, if it's an issue of safety obviously I'll go for it but every single thing I've read says that despite popular thought, an infant seat is actually no safer than a convertible seat. If you guys know differently, can someone please point me in the direction of where I can find that info? I really want to be sure we're making the best decision for the baby, not just for us.

TIA.

Re: HELP!! Is anyone else NOT getting an infant seat? (long, sorry)

This may help you - ratings.