What do you do with car seat when your baby out grows it?

[hiddenknowledge]

I am in a dilemma whether I should buy a convertible or infant seat plus stroller ? I don’t know if I can buy a stroller separately and will be able to fit in a convertible car seat ? Basically I want to make best out of this purchase without having to trash the car seat worth $500 after one year. Sorry if that sounds thrifty. P.S. I don’t have a car and I plan on riding with Uber or public transit. I live in Vancouver, Canada

 

[jonny01]

@hiddenknowledge We bought a stroller/seat system. The baby carrier locked into the stroller. When the baby outgrew the car seat, they still fit in the stroller with no issues.

Our kids were in the baby carrier for a while, over a year.

Not sure how often you plan to be in a car, but it's gonna be more than you think.

 

[hiddenknowledge]

@jonny01 Thank you.

 

[jimfish]

@hiddenknowledge My son was in his baby carrier for less than a year. We were gifted a car seat that is adjustable and can convert to a booster seat later. We bought a stroller separately, and hardly used it. Maybe 10 times in almost two years.

However, it was. Based on need. My son grew fast. He’s 38+ inches tall and he’s not even 2 yet. Buy a cheap stroller and see how much you actually use it. Then go for a nicer one with a matching carrier and car seat base. Sell the old one, or give it to a single mom and help out.

 

[godsgatekeeper]

@jimfish Crazy how different lifestyles are - We use our stroller at least twice a day every day! (but only used the infant car seat with it 2x ever)

 

[hiddenknowledge]

@godsgatekeeper Totally!!

 

[hiddenknowledge]

@jimfish Thanks!! Giving away to single mother— makes sense but I don’t know if they will be hesitant to take it even for free. But yeah noble thought

 

[godsgatekeeper]

@hiddenknowledge Before the PS, I was going to say the most cost effective option is to go straight to a convertible - these work from birth to ~4+ years depending on the model BUT they are bulky and unwieldy. They are not designed to go in a stroller, nor are they meant to be taken in and out of the car - you put them in and then keep them there. The pro is that you don't need to buy an additional seat.

BUT if you're going to be using transit, an infant or 'bucket' seat will be easier. Make sure to get one with a baseless install, so you can install with only a seatbelt and not need to buy or carry the extra piece.

Lastly, they all meet the same safety requirements and a lot of the $$$ is in convenience features more than safety. I would NOT recommend purchasing a used or second-hand car seat since you don't know about its history, but you can get a new car seat that's part of a travel system, and purchase the stroller second hand to save some money that way too.

 

[hiddenknowledge]

@godsgatekeeper Thanks for the inputs. Makes sense.