Need help! SO confused about what to get....

[Bluesuz]

Here is what I WANT:
-a travel system that is easy to use, that will work (with a base?) in my husband's car (has LATCH) and my car (no LATCH).

But somehow I cannot find the research I need to make an informed decision. What is the safest? My husband's car is a 2002 PT Cruiser and mine is a 1999 Camry. I found out from the internet that the Graco Snugride is the one car seat that fits with both our cars.

So how does that work with my desire for a stroller/travel system? How long can we use the Snugride? Should I also register for a larger car seat? How many sizes does Snugride make? And have these been recalled? What else do I need to get? What else do I need to know?

What I really want is for someone to tell me exactly what to get! I hope I'm at least on the right track. I'm just too inundated with hormones to really be able to be sure that I'm making the right decision.

Hope you can help, thank you so much!

Suzanne

[Joolsplus2]

Snugrides come as part of travel systems, or you can register/buy for one alone...you may want a much higher quality stroller than graco makes (the graco strollers aren't *bad*, they just aren't "top of the line" in the stroller world, so you might want to try the stroller board for some advice, too).
Snugrides are really nice seats! They come in slightly different models and cover styles...you can see them at http://www.gracobaby.com . What you want to look for is a 5-point harness (some only have a V-shaped 3-point harness, with no lap-straps), and a front harness adjuster (makes it easier to get a snug fit for every trip).
The base will come with LATCH straps, and you can use either the LATCH or use the seatbelt. You can also use the seatbelt to install just the seat (if you want to have only one base and save the $35 for something else) without the base.
All the snugrides have the same size limits: 20 pounds/26 inches. Babies outgrow the infant seat at all different ages....some make it to only 3 or 4 months, some make it to 9 or 12...it's hard to predict precisely, but if you or DH are very tall, it's likely baby will outgrow the infant seat sooner.
When the infant seat is outgrown, you get a Convertible, like the Britax Roundabout, that can rearface until AT LEAST a year and 20 pounds (though it's best to go to the limits of the seat...lots of kids can go up to age 2 rearfacing with no problems, and are safer for it).
Hope that gets you started :). I know how confusing it can be!!!
Here's a good resource for you to bookmark with lots of good info for future reference.... http://www.cpsafety.com/
Good luck,

[Jen0603]

I am due in June and haven't purchased this yet, BUT I have tried it out in the store and my husband and I both LOVE it! Graco is highly recommended for their infant seat (Snugride) and this travel system is very sturdy, easy to push, extremely easy to fold up (one-handed) and the infant seat actually "snaps" into the stroller. The carseat is great for infants who like to sleep a lot - you won't have to wake them to move them, because the carrier detaches from the base. Some people skip the infant seat and go straight to the convertible (to cut costs), but the convenience of being able to carry your baby in the seat at least for the first few months is worth getting the infant seat. As a bonus, we also liked the colors/patterns that Graco has available - the navy (Blueberry) will show less dirt & wear, and the padding is still machine-washable. I also saw another cute pattern at Baby Depot - it's called Vasser.

One major benefit to getting the base or an additional one for another car is so that you can correctly install the seat (either using the LATCH or just the seatbelt) by getting it level and extremely tight with no slack in the belt. This can be time-consuming to have to do each time you put the carseat back in. The main benefit to LATCH (in my opinion) is that it helps people install carseats more correctly since 90% of all carseats are installed incorrectly. A seatbelt can still be used safely, though, with a little more effort.

Here's the link to the one at Babies R Us:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006AMZQ/ref=ba_br_v_a3//102-6617539-0031328?v=glance&s=baby&me=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&coliid=I2DI0CTCLKDSG1

Here's the link to the one at Baby Depot:
http://www.bcfdirect.com/IWStoreBCF.process?Merchant_Id=1&proc=IWCatProductPage&Section_Id=1135&pcount=&pn=1&Product_Id=300910

*It also helps to read the reviews on these.

Hope this helps - Good luck!

Jennifer
EDD 6/03/03

[C99]

It actually sounds to me like you know exactly what you want: the Graco Snugride travel system.

I did not want a travel system, but I did want a stroller that would take a carseat, so we got the Snugride and a Maclaren Global, which is compatible with the Snugride. If I had known about it, i also would have looked at the Zooper Zstreet, which is also compatible with the Snugride.

The Snugride is certified to be used until your infant is 26" long or 20 lbs, whichever comes first, so how long you can use the seat depends on how fast your baby grows. My son is really tall, so I think he'll probably be out of the seat by the time he is 5 months old. The Graco Snugride only comes in one "size," but it does come in several different models. The difference between models is mostly in amenities and fabric patterns (5-point harness, front harness adjuster, etc.) SOME Snugride models were recalled about a month ago, but any product that was part of the recall has been pulled from the shelves. I have a SnugRide and mine was not included in the recall. I don't understand what you mean by "what else you need to get."

hth

[spencersmommy]

Hello, Just to share my take...I have a Graco Snugride (Baby is due in June) and an Ultra Savvy stroller from Combi. The carseat will fit into my stroller. I figure I'll use the Snugride until baby outgrows it (one friend's daughter didn't outgrow hers until about 8-9 months), and then buy a bigger seat, probably the Roundabout.
The Combi stroller (2002 model, navy, matches my car seat OK), was half off at Babyage.com. It has good reviews, too.
Good luck! :-)

Amy
Spencer due June 2!

[Tondi G]

If you buy a travel system I would recommend the Graco Metrolite travel system!!!

If you want a travel system of sorts without the TS stroller then get a Baby Trend Snap and Go or a Kolcraft UCSC and then when the baby outgrows the infant seat buy a strolelr that will suit your needs!!!! You often figure out you wanted a completly different stroller once the baby has been here for a while!!!! WE SURE DID!

Other strollers that will accept a graco snugride car seat are

Peg Perego Pliko
Inglesina Zippy
Zooper Z-street
Maclaren Global
COMBI ... either convenience or Ultra Savvy

it isn't sold as a option but the seat will also sit quite nicely in a Chicco 2002 stroller as well (you can alway make up a strap if that makes you feel more comfortable)

I would check out these strollers first before you jump into a "travel system"... but if you are more comfortable with a simple TS then go with the Graco Metrolite... I have known quite a few people that have been quite happy with this stroller and car seat!

as far as the snugride goes... they make a lot of different style but they all have the same height and weight limits... it basically features and fabric.... what you want in an infant seat is a 5 point harness and the front harness adjuster!

If you want an infant seat with higher limits have a look at the Evenflo Port-a-bout.. it is a nice seat but doesn't offer the front harness adjuster!!!!

Good Luck... sorry if this just confused you more!!!!

~Tondi and Mason 7/8/01 (Pliko lovers!!!)