Graco Car Seat Question

I'm sorry - I know this is not a medical issue, but I was hoping some of you mommies and mommies-to-be could help me with my decision.  I'm due in June, and I'm registering for car seats/strollers.  We are set on the Graco Snugride or Graco Safeseat infant car seat (and matching quattro stroller), BUT, the person at Babies R Us told us that the Safeseat was crashtested around 60 mph - the only American carseat tested at that high of a speed.  He did not say anything about success, and of course, the Consumer Reports article on infant car seats was retracted in January, and I see nothing online about this crashtest.  Is this BS?  Are both pretty comparable?  I know the Safeseat is a bit longer and takes babies up to 30lbs (which is awesome for staying power but bad for my DH's Subaru - it's already snug).  Just wondering if anyone has a preference, because I'm agonizing over this decision.  Thank you!!

[cantwait4baby]

This is the one I got from babies r us SnugRide

[jenniferolivebridge]

i also got the SnugRides from Babies R Us, they got good ratings before the consumer reports were retracted and i have heard many good things about them.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I also have the snugride, I love it.  I had one for my ds in 2003, gave it away and bought the newest version for this baby.  You can buy a frame that runs any infant seat into a stroller.  You do not have to buy one of the systems.  I have the frame and an all-terrain stroller for when the baby is older.

[Hulahut]

Thanks for the advice.  While I was offline, my DH and I had picked a different Graco Safeseat.  Ugh - I don't see any reviews about the Safeseat, though, that aren't based on scientific fact - only Snugride.  This is tough!!

[AndiJ78]

A little heads up, you don't really want as baby in a carrier when they are 30lbs!! My  I am a strong gal and it is difficult to lug my 19 lb baby around in his carrier! I cannot imagine doing it up until he was 30 lbs.

I have the pooh themed snugride. I love everything about the carseat and it faired good in the crash test before the retraction.

And I also agree about bagging on the travel system. Those strollers are notorious for being pieces of dung. They are difficult to steer and forget pushing them on unever terrain or gravel. I have a crappy pooh stroller from my first born and I had one heck of a time trying to take CJ for a family walk the other day. I have been meaning to buy a jogger/all terrain on for a few years, now living in the woods i have even more reason!

[low22]

Hi girl!

I thought it was the Snugride that passed the test with flying colors.  Also, the safeseat is much heavier.  We got the Snugride in Windsor.  I'm also going to do one of the strollers where the carrier just snaps in and not do a travel system.  

[JJety]

I have just a regular Snugride and love it.  Andi makes a good point, too.  A 30 lb baby in a carrier would be REALLY heavy and awkward to carry.  Your back and arms are going to be much better off switching them to an upright and just carrying the baby by themselves, when they start to get up there in weight.

[4my3boys]

Ok I looked up on this alot and this is what I found.  The only seat to pass the crash test they he was talking about was the Graco Snug Ride with EPS.  Let me see if I can locate the website that can give you an insight on what all took place.  Ok so this is all I found because they got in trouble I guess for posting it.  Some carseats actually came off the base.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/child-car-booster-seats/reports/child-car-seats-ratings/ratings-child-car-seats/latest-ratings/index.htm

[lauraandbill2001]

I would like to comment on the weight of the car seat and carrier.  Thy say that until a baby is 1 year old they should be in a rear facing seat.  i think that is why they go up to 30 lbs.  I do not think that they expect you to carry your little one aroung up to that weight.  By the time a child reaches that weight (Some do before they are 1, my first child was) they would be able to sit on their own on a stroller or old enough to be picked up out of the car anyway.  (So I would think)  This is one of the reasons I chose a car seat up to 30 lbs.  Plus, most of the next step car seats are good for 30+ pounds.  I would rather just need to buy two seats that three as my child grows.  I did get the grack snug ride as well for my little one due on 4/11.

[4my3boys]

Here are some of the links that I found

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16473196/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/index.htm

[4my3boys]

Here is a better one sorry for so many posts

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/child-car-booster-seats/how-our-car-seat-tests-went-wrong-5-07/overview/0507seat.htm

[AndiJ78]

I personally like the security that a convertable one provides. I don't mind buying 3 seats. The carrier is great in the beginning, it allows them a little "bubble" to sleep in and one that people don't generally invade. Once they hit the 20 lb mark (mine hit that well before 6 months) I switch them to the rear facing convertable. Once they hit their 1st birthday, they turn around and stay in that until they hit 40 lbs, from there they get their high back boosters seats.

Actually, you will need a convertable anyway, there is a 10 lb gap between when they reach the weight limit on the carrier and when they can go to a booster seat.