A good infant car seat should easily remove from its base and be as light as is safely possible (baby weight + car seat weight= back pain). I considered many brands, but chose a Graco Snugride 35 for our house, and a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 30/30 for my parent's house in Colorado. I did a lot of research on these two carseats, and chose the Graco for home use mainly because it was compatible with my stroller (a very important detail!). I also considered Maxi Cosi and Orbit carseats. The Orbit would have been my ideal choice, however, Orbit carseats are only compatible with Orbit strollers and this system did not appeal to me. One tip: buy an extra carseat base for your spouse's car (and maybe your mom/babysitter/nanny too), it will make your life much easier!
The Graco Snugride 35 is the most popular infant carseat sold currently. It is very reasonably priced, has a good safety rating, and is readily available. I am not a huge fan of this seat; it is very wide and would not fit well into many smaller vehicles. Because of the width, it also will not fit in an upside-down high chair, which many restaurants use to "prop" carseats to the table. The belts are not easy to adjust to baby's size, the shade is a little flimsy, and the LATCH system (installation mechanism) is not the best. After saying all of this, I do not dislike this carseat enough to justify spending $200-$300 on a different one, but I would have made a different choice in hindsight.
Graco SnugRide 35
Product Rating: ♛♛
Price: $139-$179
Eco Option?: No
Where to Find: From Babies 'R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and most baby gear retailers
Peg Perego is an Italian brand that has recently become popular in the United States. The Primo Viaggio 30/30 is a great carseat and lacks many of the issues that I encountered with the Graco. The LATCH system on this seat is top notch and very easy to install (my favorite feature), the shade is a little more durable, and the belts can be adjusted a bit easier. The fabric on this carseat is also much more breathable, making for a more comfortable baby. My biggest drawback with this carseat is that it is a bit heavier than the Graco, and although 1.3 pounds is not a lot of difference, it is definitely noticeable when toting a 6 month old baby.
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 30/30
Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛
Price: $249-$319
Eco Option?: No
Where to Find: From BuyBuyBaby, some Babies R Us locations, and many online retailers
Must Have Accessories for Infant Carseats:
Padalily Car Seat Handle Cushion: This is an ultra plush cushion that wraps around the handle of the carseat, making it more comfortable to carry. Padalily car seat cushions are reversible, and contain two loops for hanging toys. $24.99/each, available at Buy Buy Baby and other retailers.
Carseat toys: Many companies make carseat toys which can be hung from the handle (or Padalily!) to keep baby's interest when driving.
Brica Day & Night Light Musical Mirror: A Child View Mirror is a such a simple invention that is so helpful. These mirrors are hung from the headrest in the back seat of the vehicle and allow the driver to see baby from the rearview mirror (hopefully you are still following me). The mirror also allows baby to see themselves and keeps their interest for at least a few minutes of any ride. The Brica Day & Night Musical Mirror is great because it has a light that illuminates the mirror at night. The light is controlled by a remote (looks like a garage door opener) that turns the light or music on easily with the push of a button. The music has been a great help at times with an upset Kennedy! $24.95, available at Target, Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, and many online retailers.
Kennedy in her Primo Viaggio, August 2012
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