Best Infant Seat for Medically Fragile Infants?

[Blondie87]

So soon we will be taking in medically fragile infants. It could be up to 6 months from now, but I want to be prepared in case it is sooner. In a couple months I will be buying an infant seat and I want to find one that will work the best.

I could get just an average newborn, or I could get one that is medically fragile. Some are preemies, some are drug effected, some need breathing tubes or feeding tubes, etc. I would normally get one at 2 days old and have them for up to 1 or 2 years.

I do have 2 Boulevards and a True Fit. I am not sure if the True Fit will fit a preemie that well but I would probably prefer a bucket anyways.

I am assuming that the Chicco Keyfit would be the best to fit a preemie or small newborn. Should I get a Keyfit 30 or just a normal Keyfit? I know that the SS1 doesn't fit small babies great. Any other suggestions?

[Blondie87]

Do they even sell the regular Keyfits? I couldn't find any. And if the Keyfit 30 is my best option, where's the cheapest place to find one?

Oh.. and I just thought about it. I would need a carseat that would fit with a double stroller since I will have a toddler and a baby at all times. I don't have a double stroller right now, but I will get one soon. Does the Valco stroller fit the kefit at all? I know that you can take off the seat part and put the bar on so you can put an infant seat on there. I just don't know what infant seats it would fit. Ahhh.. so much to think about!

[featherhead]

I think the regular Keyfit is only sold in a travel system, but I'm not sure (since I live in Canada and we only have the regular Keyfit:rolleyes:). Anyway, I definitely think the Keyfit would be a good option. I just got mine a week or so ago, and I love it! I haven't actually put a little baby in it (gotta wait till April for that) but it looks like it would support a little baby very well. I think if I were you I would go with the Keyfit30, just so you have the option to use the infant seat longer. The seat is pretty much exactly the same, I'm pretty sure it's not any heavier or bigger.

[thepeach80]

I would go w/ the Keyfit, though there are some other premie seats out there. I just like this one b/c it installs so nicely and has the nice inserts etc.

[Blondie87]

That's what I figured.. but is there any double strollers that are compatible with it?

[Shaunam]

The only advice I have is to be aware that infant seats may not work for babies with feeding tubes. DD's was placed right in a spot where the buckle on the infant seat hit it. All of the infant seats I looked at had longer crotch straps that placed the buckle higher up and brought the hip straps around the belly instead of the hips. She fit great in the EFTA and the buckle was nowhere near her tube. However, my friend used an infant seat with her baby with a feeding tube and never complained that it interfered, but then again, I never saw her in the seat so it's possible they just kept the straps loose (I have no idea how well she does the car seat thing :o ).

[BW1426]

I actually really like the Britax Companion for smaller babies and you can get the foam insert for low weight babies. IME the Companion also lasts quite awhile even though it only goes up to 22 lbs. You should be able to find a good deal as well since it is being discontinued. And, it has awesome SIP.

The Keyfit30 is the exact same size and everything as the regular Keyfit and I find it doubtful that as many babies will make it close to the max as will in the Safe Seat.

I'd be tempted to get a Companion and a Safe Seat later on if you decide you want a bucket that you can use longer. Safe Seats are pretty inexpensive, especially if you get one on swap :thumbsup:

[Blondie87]

So the Chicco Keyfit or the Britax Companion. Are either of those compatible with any of the double strollers that are out?

[Pixels]

Just thought I'd throw this one out, since Shauna mentioned the buckle placement for babies with feeding tubes. The BabyTrend has an adjustable crotch strap. Here it is on my DD at two days old (8 lbs, 19.75" at birth). Shauna could take a look at it and let you know if this one is low enough to be out of the way. It is a 22 pound seat though. It would definitely be compatible with at least the BabyTrend Sit n Stand stroller (I only have one DC so I haven't looked at double strollers, sorry I can't be more help).

Sorry I don't know how to make the pic smaller.

http://car-seat.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3287&d=1228240163

[BW1426]

So the Chicco Keyfit or the Britax Companion. Are either of those compatible with any of the double strollers that are out?

Double jogger or just any old double stroller? Side by side or one seat behind the other?

Bumbleride Twin Indie fits both Britax and Chicco http://www.strollers.com/Bumbleride-IT-108R-BV1153.html#ProdDetails

I'm not sure if you can use the Bumbleride Queen B with the toddler seat and a carseat at the same time.

Also check out the Valco and Chicco strollers. I don't know how Pegs do with other carseat brands.

IME more carseats fit in strollers than they might necessarily tell you. You really have to try them out to see if they fit in a way that you are comfortable with. I honestly didn't use the snap and go feature that much with the stroller. I didn't really like him being in the carseat that much, but that may be different if you end up with a medically fragile infant.

[serabi]

I loved my Britax Companion for my 24 weeker. My only complaint about it was that the chest clip is that old style paperclip style and I cannot STAND those. :o

ETA: she didn't have a feeding tube at the time, I don't know how it'd fit a baby with a g-tube. She's got one now but at 23lbs and 32" tall she's not fitting the Companion anymore for me to see ;)

I have a double stroller that I love too. My kids are 18 months apart and it works perfectly for me. It is the Kolcraft Contours Options Double (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3121487) It will fit both a Keyfit 30 and also a Britax Companion (plus the Graco infant seats, etc).

The pros of the Contour:
-you can turn the kids whichever way you want them to face - so if you want to be able to see both the baby and the toddler, you can turn the toddler to face you, too
-when they are bigger, you can have them both facing out, both facing in, both facing you, both facing away from you
-the seats recline
-the seats detach for storage or for putting in the back of your car
-HUGE basket, which you will need if you get a child on oxygen, pulse ox, or ventilator dependent.

The cons:
-the seat backs aren't very high so it isn't exactly going to be the kind of stroller your toddler is going to take a nap in, probably.
-This sucker is HEAVY and a PITA to fold up and down, up and down...

If you want, I can take pictures of my Companion and my kid(s) in the Contour later if that'd help.

[Blondie87]

That's the stroller I was talking about.. not the Valco... lol. So that fits the Chicco and the Companion? Yeah it'd be great if I can get some pics! I will have to go try that stroller out at Baby Depot. Does it turn and handle well? I love Graco double strollers. They are so easy to manuever.

[serabi]

That's the stroller I was talking about.. not the Valco... lol. So that fits the Chicco and the Companion? Yeah it'd be great if I can get some pics! I will have to go try that stroller out at Baby Depot. Does it turn and handle well? I love Graco double strollers. They are so easy to manuever.

It manages fairly easily. It definitely manages easier than my DuoGlider, that's for sure. It's just as long as a Duoglider though, it definitely is not a short stroller.

Both of my kids are asleep but tomorrow I will pull it out and the car seat out and snap some pictures for you :thumbsup:

[Kat_Momof3]

I'm actually going to throw out another option... the Safety 1st Onboard.

it starts at 4lbs, too...and fits small babies great (the blog had info on it from the abc expo and it was so cool)... it even has an adjustable length crotch strap!!

[Blondie87]

Dang.. Are we sure that the SS1 does not fit smaller babies? I really love the Graco Quattro Duo Stroller, I had one before and I loved everything about it. And the SS1 goes with it.. :(

I do love the Keyfit 30 though and since the Kolcraft stroller can fit one that would be nice. But I read alot of the reviews on it and my biggest concern is what kids would fit into it. I could have anywhere from a 0-3 year old, and all different sizes. I would want to be confident that most any child I get would fit in the stroller.. Otherwise it looks great...

[mum2two]

I had the Combi Connection and used it with my Combi Tandem Stroller, when DS was born he was on oxygen for 2 months, boy that second seat was useful for putting the o2 tank and oximeter! With a medically fragile infant you might not be doing too many activities with another child as they may not be able to be out in the "germy world" too much so maybe a double won't be the breaking point. I loved my connection infant seat though, the tandem stroller was fine, nice and narrow, very very light...hm...has me thinking though I probably don't need it anymore as DD is now 5 1/2 and too tall to sit in it.

[tanyaandallie]

The SS1 really is not a good fit if you are going to have preemies. You really need something not as big and something with more support. I have not seen the Onboard irl but have heard it fits preemies well.

[An Aurora]

I really love the Combi seats. They have great low bottom slots and the insert really hugs babies :)

[rodentranger]

FWIW, the Contour didn't fit in the back of my Pilot unless I had the 3rd row flat. I know you have the MDX, so I thought I'd throw that out there. I couldn't get a Sit n Stand in there either. The P&T Sport buggy with a double kit fits with the 40 side down to accommodate the wheels.

[Blondie87]

We never use our 3rd row so they are always down. But yeah.. nothing fits back there when it's up.. lol.

[serabi]

OK, here we go, I finally took the pictures. Sorry I didn't get them yesterday!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump146.jpg
Companion in front, 11 month old in back. Lots of leg room, even for a much larger child. I should have the Companion buckled in with those red straps but I don't since there is no baby in it. LOL

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump147.jpg
Another view

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump130.jpg
That is the basket with the seat above it, a kid in the back seat and then a pulse oximeter and a small oxygen tank in there. Lots of room left

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump131.jpg
Oxygen, pulse oximeter, and a huge diaper bag. Haha.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump133.jpg
My kids facing each other in the stroller. Sydney is 28 months, 23ish lbs, 33ish inches tall. Levi is 11 months, 20ish lbs, 30ish inches tall (I think). For size comparison.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump134.jpg
the basket with all that stuff still in it

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump136.jpg
Both seats facing the adult

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump137.jpg
Seat tipped back. This is my one major complaint about this stroller, low seat backs. If you have an older toddler who likes to sleep in the stroller, this one won't work well for that.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump138.jpg
seats facing away from each other

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/ksmilligan/car%20seats/decemberdump139.jpg
both facing out




And then here's a blog that I read, she's got two Keyfit 30's in her Contours: http://addisonandriley.blogspot.com/2008/11/finally-have-pic-of-stroller.html

[Blondie87]

Yeah.. I think I'll probably get the Kolcraft stroller with a Keyfit 30 seat. It seems like the best and cheapest option. What keyfit pattern do you think would match well with the red in the stroller? What pattern does the blog lady have? Is it Race?

[thepeach80]

That's the stroller we have and I really like it. It's a monster, but for a double I really like all it does.

[Blondie87]

I love it too. I just wish the seatback was higher...

[An Aurora]

My vote is for a Mountain Buggy Urban Double, or a Baby Jogger City Series Elite. Those things rock my socks off, and you can get a car seat bar.

[Blondie87]

My vote is for a Mountain Buggy Urban Double, or a Baby Jogger City Series Elite. Those things rock my socks off, and you can get a car seat bar.

Maybe I should have mentioned I want a double stroller around $200? We don't have much money.

[serabi]

I love it too. I just wish the seatback was higher...

I am really hoping that maybe someday Kolcraft will redesign the seats to be higher...because then I'd like the stroller even more.

Yeah.. I think I'll probably get the Kolcraft stroller with a Keyfit 30 seat. It seems like the best and cheapest option. What keyfit pattern do you think would match well with the red in the stroller? What pattern does the blog lady have? Is it Race?

I think it is Race. Although I'm looking at Chicco's website and that new seat - Fuego - might?? match too? I'm not sure. Cubes & Romantic would probably work, too, if you're OK with contrasting as opposed to coordinating, since they are both in the grey/black family.

I really wanted a Baby Jogger City Series Elite too but finances dictated otherwise. :rolleyes: sigh...someday LOL

[Blondie87]

My favorite is Adventure.. but that doesn't totally match, does it?

I know I like Fuego but it isn't out til March tho and I will probably need one before then. :(

[serabi]

My favorite is Adventure.. but that doesn't totally match, does it?

I know I like Fuego but it isn't out til March tho and I will probably need one before then. :(

I'm not sure how the green in Adventure would go with the red.

Do you have an infant seat right now? Or just convertibles?

[Blondie87]

Nope, just convertibles, 2 Boulevards and a True Fit. I sold my SS1 when I found out that we were gonna have to wait a lil while to do babies.

[barnmama25]

I had the Contours when it first came out with a Chicco Keyfit in Explorer. I love love love the Keyfit, hands down my favorite seat on the market. The Contours was an ok stroller, good for shopping and city walks (on nice even pavement) but does not handle the best off road and especially not on the sand (yeah it doesnt work, dont try) The fold up is quick and easy, and more compact than the Quatro Dou. Kolcraft did make the seats bigger, depth wise, but not taller. Really the seat backs are not much shorter (and in some cases they are taller) than most double strollers on the market in that price range. My son never seemed to notice (but then again he would never sleep in a stroller).
Have you looked into the new Chicco Trevi? I thought it was supposed to accomodate a Keyfit?

[serabi]

ok, my DH is a BRU manager and came home tonight and corrected me. He says Extreme matches the Contours almost perfectly. The reds are slightly off though. He said if that bugs you, he'd recommend going with something like Cubes.

He says BRU carries the Extreme, the Cubes, and one other color in just the car seat, plus they have the Contours, if you want to see them in person.

[An Aurora]

Maybe I should have mentioned I want a double stroller around $200? We don't have much money.

Sorry, I just brought those up since you mentioned the Valco in a previous post, which are more than the MBUD.

[Blondie87]

Yeah, later I mentioned that I mean the Kolcraft, not the Valco. I don't know what I was thinking. :rolleyes:

[barnmama25]

ok, my DH is a BRU manager and came home tonight and corrected me. He says Extreme matches the Contours almost perfectly. The reds are slightly off though. He said if that bugs you, he'd recommend going with something like Cubes.

He says BRU carries the Extreme, the Cubes, and one other color in just the car seat, plus they have the Contours, if you want to see them in person.

The Extreme is orange?? The Race is red.
Here are a few pictures of the three colors.
The Extreme (sorry only have it in the stroller)
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/abluhm/S4300599.jpg
The Contours
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/abluhm/S4300222.jpg
And the Race (edited to add a different picture)
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/abluhm/06-18-08_1336.jpg

I personally think the Cubes pattern would look cute with this (http://www.albeebaby.com/kolcraft-contours-options-plus-tandem-twilight.html) model.

[serabi]

I think the Cubes pattern would look adorable!

I'm asking DH again. I think he's wrong and you're right. :whistle: He's having an associate check right now ROFL

OK he was thinking of the Synergy :rolleyes: see if I ask him again about car seat colors!

Sorry about posting bad information :o

ETA: Amy, what's that third infant seat in that last picture?

[Blondie87]

We don't have a BRU by us, I think it's like an hour away...?

We have Baby Depot. They have the stroller but they only have the Adventure Chicco.. :( So I'd just have to order it online...

[serabi]

I know when I was looking for it, there were a few places with free shipping...I think Walmart had free shipping if you did site to store (don't know your opinion on Walmart).

GL! and I hope you get another little sweetie soon to fill that second seat :love:

[Blondie87]

I know when I was looking for it, there were a few places with free shipping...I think Walmart had free shipping if you did site to store (don't know your opinion on Walmart).

GL! and I hope you get another little sweetie soon to fill that second seat :love:

Wal-Mart doesn't have Chicco... :confused:

[barnmama25]

ETA: Amy, what's that third infant seat in that last picture?

It's the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 from USA Baby, I was doing a comparison shot of all 3 of the 30lbs infant seats. The Peg and the Chicco are my favorites.

[serabi]

Wal-Mart doesn't have Chicco... :confused:

I meant the Contours, sorry.

[henrietta]

http://www.overstock.com/Baby/Zooper-Tango-Twin-Double-Stroller-in-Wheat/3447750/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11523168


check out the zooper tango--there are a few at overstock.com for $300 (they are usually about $400-500). we have an older, single zooper. aside from 2 things that are minor, it's really nice and comes w/all the accessories--rain cover, sunguard, carseat strap, etc). it was a great stroller for our preemie, even when not using the carseat, and it's great for him now, too. (he's over 3 now!). every carseat i put in it has worked fine--peg, fisher price siv, and compass.

i'd stick w/the chicco 30 probably, but it would be worth looking at the safety first on board, also.

[Blondie87]

Would the Baby Trend be a good a good seat for smaller babies?

[An Aurora]

They have a 5 lb limit, so no not really.

[Blondie87]

I will most likely not be getting any super small babies. Most of the babies we get are medically fragile because they are drug effected. I have a friend that has taken over 30 medically fragile babies, and she's only had one 4 lber. All of the others were bigger.

[An Aurora]

If you get an under 5 pound baby are you going to be able to purchase another seat?

[Blondie87]

I dunno... doubt it. My friend had to do that once, go out and buy another seat.. the hospital told her she had to get a carseat that's bottom slot was only so many inches high, cuz the one she brought was too big.

I wish someone would post a Keyfit on swap.. :whistle:

[An Aurora]

Lol, I hear you!

[Blondie87]

There are TONS on my local craigslist right now. But I know the dangers of buying used... :thumbsdown: