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10-13-2011 at 9:39 PM
JubeeChit
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Lightweight Infant Car Seat

I'm looking for a nice lightweight infant car seat.  I stumbled upon the Graco SnugRide which weighs in a bit below the 10 lb mark.  I'd be interested in hearing what your first hand experience is with the SnugRide as well as any other lightweight infant car seat.
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10-13-2011 at 10:39 PM
gimmietimm...
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You are referring to the infant car seat (a carrier is like an Ergo/wrap/sling/etc). Check out this link, all the current stats for all the infant car seats are listed there.

Which Snugride are you meaning, the Snugride 22 - weighs 7.5lbs, holds an infant to a max of 22lbs and 29", or the Snugride 35 - weighs 9.7lbs, holds an infant to a max of 35 lbs and 32"? Obviously, the 22 is a lighter seat, but the cons are it will be outgrown sooner, and the features are basic. I prefer the 35 because of the lock off on the base and the front adjust on the harness and the longer harness straps (just to name a few things).

 What is it you are looking for in a seat (aside from weight)? Are you going to be using it with a stroller (and what brand)? What type of vehicle do you drive? And what's your budget?

I have to P & R, but if I don't catch your answers, katcarls can help.

Also, the linky I posted is also a forum hosted by car seat techs, they have all the answers!
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10-13-2011 at 11:09 PM
JubeeChit
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JubeeChit is not online. Last active: 01-13-2013, 1:18 PMNewbie
gimmietimmies:

You are referring to the infant car seat (a carrier is like an Ergo/wrap/sling/etc). Check out this link, all the current stats for all the infant car seats are listed there.

Which Snugride are you meaning, the Snugride 22 - weighs 7.5lbs, holds an infant to a max of 22lbs and 29", or the Snugride 35 - weighs 9.7lbs, holds an infant to a max of 35 lbs and 32"? Obviously, the 22 is a lighter seat, but the cons are it will be outgrown sooner, and the features are basic. I prefer the 35 because of the lock off on the base and the front adjust on the harness and the longer harness straps (just to name a few things).

 What is it you are looking for in a seat (aside from weight)? Are you going to be using it with a stroller (and what brand)? What type of vehicle do you drive? And what's your budget?

I have to P & R, but if I don't catch your answers, katcarls can help.

Also, the linky I posted is also a forum hosted by car seat techs, they have all the answers!

I've actually seen the terms car seat/carrier used interchangeably. Regarding which SnugRide, I'm not referring to a specific one. Just looking for anyone's experience with any of the SnugRide models, or perhaps those that have tried multiple SnugRide's and perhaps preferred one over the other. I plan to use the car seat with a car seat frame stroller rather than with a standard stroller. I drive a honda accord. I'd like to stay under $200 but would be willing to spend more if the car seat is nice and light. The weight of the car seat will carry the most weight so to speak in my decision as to which one to purchase (for my own medical reasons). Hope that helps clarify. I appreciate any guidance you can provide.
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10-13-2011 at 11:12 PM
CrazyToast
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I was also confused by the "carrier" and was coming here to recommend the Ergo!

I wish I could recommend a lightweight infant carseat, but I don't think you'd want the one my mom bought us.  It was an Evenflo.

 
10-13-2011 at 11:20 PM
JubeeChit
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JubeeChit is not online. Last active: 01-13-2013, 1:18 PMNewbie
CrazyToast:

I was also confused by the "carrier" and was coming here to recommend the Ergo!

I wish I could recommend a lightweight infant carseat, but I don't think you'd want the one my mom bought us.  It was an Evenflo.

Thanks-I noticed that Evenflo makes a lightweight car seat as well and was curious about the quality. P.S. I've now changed any references of "carrier" to "car seat" in my original post to help prevent any future confusion :-)
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10-14-2011 at 5:37 AM
JillBean78
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No matter which way you go, that car seat is going to eventually be heavy once you are carrying a baby around in it whether the car seat weighs 7.5 lbs or 10 lbs.  I would go with the one that fits your needs best, gets good ratings and is going to fit best in your car.  Don't get stuck on finding the lightest seat.

I had the Graco Safeseat, which they quit making a year or so ago.  I think it is now the Snugride 32.  It weighed about 9 lbs, I rarely carried it around, I had a stroller with a bassinet and I didn't care, I used that stroller constantly, everywhere we went, the doctor, stores, etc...  I also had a Graco stroller frame that was a lifesaver for hauling the baby in the car seat.
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10-14-2011 at 7:22 AM
julygal
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We have the snugride 22.  It has served us well through the 3 kids.  It feels light to me now, as it with the baby in it weighs less than DS who I carry around a lot.  However, I know it gets heavy towards the end,but I just leave it in the base in the car and take the baby out unless baby is sleeping.  It is a basic car seat, easy to install, and outgrown by height for my previous kids around 8-9 months.  I would recommend it, but I have not tried the newer/larger models, as they weren't available at the time I purchased.  If I were buying now I probably would look at the larger models, as they can last longer and have different features that might make life easier.  
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10-14-2011 at 7:30 AM
mjbabby
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The best (safe) car seat is not the most lightweight one but  Graco SnugRide seems good.


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10-14-2011 at 7:59 AM
SuperCuteB...
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I thought the Snugride 22/Keyfit 22 were being discontinued?

To the OP, I think all infant seats are heavy once you put a baby in. I have owned 2 Snugride 22s and 1 SafeSeat and honestly I couldn't tell the difference once the baby was in.

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10-14-2011 at 8:44 AM
katcarls
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I would stick with a Graco or Chicco.  They're the better infant seat options and their features will make up for any negligible weight differences of a lighter seat.  I had no issues carrying our Chicco Keyfit 30 when DS was 20 lbs. but if it reaches a point where it's too heavy, just leave it in the car like a convertible seat.
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10-14-2011 at 8:48 AM
Kimee13
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katcarls:
I would stick with a Graco or Chicco.  They're the better infant seat options and their features will make up for any negligible weight differences of a lighter seat.  I had no issues carrying our Chicco Keyfit 30 when DS was 20 lbs. but if it reaches a point where it's too heavy, just leave it in the car like a convertible seat.

This - we researched carseats for months and went with what we considered to be the safest - Chicco Keyfit 30.  Once he became too heavy we switched him out to the convertible carseat, Britax Boulevard CS.
 
10-14-2011 at 9:10 AM
LittleAppl...
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Check out the Britax B-Safe.  It is pretty light and holds a baby up to 30 lbs.
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10-14-2011 at 9:41 AM
CrazyToast
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JubeeChit:
CrazyToast:

I was also confused by the "carrier" and was coming here to recommend the Ergo!

I wish I could recommend a lightweight infant carseat, but I don't think you'd want the one my mom bought us.  It was an Evenflo.

Thanks-I noticed that Evenflo makes a lightweight car seat as well and was curious about the quality. P.S. I've now changed any references of "carrier" to "car seat" in my original post to help prevent any future confusion :-)

 

Our Evenflo was light-weight to a point (they're all awkward because of their design) until DD started to get heavier.  I don't think I would have picked the Evenflo if it had been my decision, but we were trying to just do a convertible carseat at first, and that lasted 4 weeks.  My mom bought us the infant seat to help us out and get me out of the house to keep my sanity.

 
10-14-2011 at 11:10 AM
lynn97
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Sorry, there isn't really a "lightweight" infant car seat, IMO - it's kind of like trying to find a unicorn. I'd just buy the seat you like best. A lot of what makes them suck to carry is the weight plus how you have to hold it out from your body (even the ergonomic handles).

It's off-subject but the carriers (like the Ergo mentioned earlier) solve some of this as you can carry baby on you when running errands. I do this far more than I ever thought I would.

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10-14-2011 at 11:17 AM
h0b0girl
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We checked out the snugride and chicco but utlimately decided to go with the peg perego infant car seat.  The peg is a bit heavier than that other 2 but I liked it the best so just went with it. We are not planning to use it often with our Uppababy vista stroller but we did but the attachment so that we still have that option.
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