Car Seat/ Stroller Help!

I think it is probably going to be pretty difficult to use a car seat of one brand and get it to fit well into a stroller of another brand.

Also, have you checked the expiration date on your older daughter's car seat? If she is 4 years old, then it is very possible that her car seat has expired or will expire soon. If it has expired, you should look into Babies R Us' trade in...I believe they will give you 25% off a new item if you bring in the expired car seat.

If I were you, I would probably purchase the Chicco infant seat to fit with the stroller you just purchased. I would look into one of the newer Chicco seats that will fit your infant in a rear-facing position for longer (some will accommodate higher weight and height limits). Studies continue to show that the longer a child is rear-facing, the safer it is for him/her. Bring YOUR stroller into a place like BabiesRUs so that you can TRY OUT the car seat in your stroller (to see how it fits).

Good luck!

Added: Even with Gracco's 6-yrs-from-manufacture-date-before-expiration, you MIGHT have a car seat that will expire soon....be sure to check. Here's what I'm thinking: That particular car seat could have been manufactured and sat on the shelf for 6+ months. Then, depending on how far into the 4's your oldest is (4 yrs? 4 yrs 3 mo? 4 yrs 6 mo? etc.), AND the fact that you have another approx 11 weeks before your due date, this will bring you a lot closer to expiration. Anyhow, new car seat, old car seat, just make sure to CHECK to see that it hasn't expired. =)

3 moms found this helpful

What about getting just a stroller frame (like the Snap and Go by Graco) that fits the car seat. It is cheaper than a full size stroller and lighter. I was able to find a used one for maybe $35 but they are around $65 new last I checked. Once the baby is out of the baby carrier seat and sitting well you can use the stroller you like. I went through so many strollers with my 2 kids--none was perfect for every situation.

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I second Rachel Y's suggestion of getting a snap'n'go-type frame for when you use the infant car seat (graco infant seats typically have a 6-years-from-date-of-manufacture expiration date so if it was new when your 4YO used it, it should still be ok to use). Check consignment stores, craigslist, etc. for secondhand ones - since they're only used for as long as the baby is in the infant seat, secondhand ones generally still have quite a lot of life left in them.

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Another snap and go here. Try Freecycle for a snap n go. I love my Chicco (rides REALLY smooth) but it's large and I told my sister that if I had a do-over I'd get a snap n go for the months before she's just in the stroller itself. The stroller itself is good, IMO. We've had ours for 3 years and I still use it when we do long walks with the playgroup or go to the zoo. You might also see if a bungee cord can help keep the seat on the stroller better.

If the other seat has expired, I highly recommend the Keyfit 30. It has a higher weight limit, though it still fits the stroller. The bases are super easy to put in a car (just remember to put your knee in it to push it into your seat), too. My DD outgrew hers in height before weight, but it's a good seat.

I have a Chicco travel system and LOVE the stroller (love the carseat, too!!). All of them are big, but I can open it with one hand!! Keep in mind, you only use the system together for a few months--I thankfully found a system that I loved separately, but I don't think I would make that my number one reason for buying them.

You could always save a little by getting the stroller used and a new carseat, both Chico. Who cars if the fabric matches?

Snap and go!! I got one with my second baby and loved it. Just sold it for $35 on Craigslist, after only 6 months of use.You could find one used and in good condition pretty easily. No sense in buying a new car seat, they grow out of them so quickly! Save the stroller for when you move the baby to a convertible.

Why dont you just buy the snap and go graco stroller so it will work with the car seat and then buy the stroller later when you have more money? They sell the snap and go at Target and Babies R Us. You can even get one of those at a consignment store or on Craigslist.

If it doesn't fit into the stroller, I wouldn't use them together. I would just put the baby in the stroller in the reclining position. GL!

M