Car Seat Guidance

[KristenQ]

I'm new as of this weekend to this message board and have been enjoying all the wonderful information users have been sharing! THank you! We're expecting our first baby in December and my husband and I are finding this "new world" of baby gear a bit overwhelming!

Thanks to Alan, Denise and all of you, we're learning so much, but I have a few questions as we finalize our car seat selection.

We've narrowed the field down to a few choices:
The Graco Snug Ride,
Graco Snug Ride 32,
Chicco Key Fit
Chicco Key Fit 30.

From what I can tell, the biggest drawbacks of the Chiccos are that they don't fit other non-Chicco Strollers and the fabric doesn't breathe (making hot for baby). Other than that, they seem safe, well made.

The biggest drawback of the SnugRides seems to be they don't have side-impact protection. This is my biggeset concern, but given that they are the most popular carrier (per the 8th edition of BB), it looks like that's not a concern for most people.

Can anyone help me understand the side-impact issue, and provide any other feedback on these models to help us make the best decision for our baby?

Thank you!

[o_mom]

Don't have a bunch of time, but the Snugrides all have EPS foam in the head area which is as much side impact protection as the KeyFit.

Also, the KF with the 22 lb limit is only available on a travel system, but it is the same size and everything as the 30.

[Joolsplus2]

I've seen a few Chiccos fit on non-chicco strollers, like I saw one on a Baby Jogger City Mini yesterday, and it fits in the snap n gos or snugriders, too. I don't see why it wouldn't fit in something like a Pliko P3 or Zippy, but our experts on the stroller board would know .

The fabric is as polyestery as any other seat...some babies sweat like crazy in gracos, too. Chicco at least has the option of the www.bokoocovers.com if you want something more cottony that's been crash tested with the seat and is approved by the manufacturer.

Any rearfacing seat with EPS or EPP foam is going to provide exceptional side impact protection, no worries about that particular issue.

Since you're expecting in December, your choices may end up being the Snugride 30 (coming out very soon, much like the Snugride 22 but with a lot more adjustments to fit small and large babies better), Snugride 35 (32 is discontinued, though it's the same seat, just higher weight limits, no other differences), and I don't know if the Key Fits are destined to change, but O-mom's right, they are exactly the same seat in every measurement, except for the weight limits.

What kind of car will you be installing in? Do you have LATCH? Do you need a lot of space in front for comfortable driving positioning? How much trunk space for a stroller?

We want to make sure whichever seat you get will fit in your car, and that YOU will fit with it in there!