Seat Progression

So my sister is expecting (not 'til July,) and I get to be an auntie for the first time I told her she can not purchase a carseat without my approval

So here's my dilemma. I don't know what seat to recommend her! She wants an infant seat for the beginning, and I'm wavering between the SS1 and Snugride. Why am I wavering? I'm concerned her new baby will spend too much time in the carseat if she gets a SS1 (with the Snugride, when the baby outgrows it she'll HAVE to carry him/her around.) We've haven't actually spoken about babywearing yet, but if I can get her on board, the SS1 won't be such a concern for me. I'm also thinking about progression.

I figure the end seat (depending on what changes in the market between now and then) would be a Nautilus. Either way, I think she'll need a convertible in the middle. How likely is it that her baby will fit in the SS1 until 30lbs? Could s/he really go from that to the Nautilus? If not, wouldn't it make better sense to do a Snugride, then convertible, then Nautilus? Finally, if you think a convertible is necessary, what would be an economical choice (since that seat would have shortest timespan.)

She drives a 2007 Equinox and her DH has some GM late model pickup (not likely to carry the baby much in there.)

We're talking Canadian here too, eh?

While we're at it... any thoughts on the Graco Mosaic travel system?

Thanks for your advice!

Oh, another thought... maybe it's the Nautilus that's hanging me up. If she went from infant seat to MA/Radian, then to a dedicated booster, would that be a better progression?

Mikkel would have fit into an SS1 until 22 months old... so I think it's entirely possible to go from SS1 to Nautilus.

The SS1 will *generally* fit babies somewhere between 18 months - 2 years old. There's no real way to predict if you are going to have a tall torsoed child though that will outgrow the SS1 earlier.

If your sister wants to do extended RFing, she may need a convertible after the infant seat. If there's no way that she will ERF, then she can easily go from SS1 to Nautilus.

Either way... I'd be getting an SS1 for the ease of installation and the better fit on babies. Just my :twocents:

Thanks, aidensmom! Should I have any concern about the larger front-to-back size of the SS1? Can she adjust the recline to a more upright position as the baby gets older?

I would get the SS1 (Sears carries one with harness covers) and see how long the baby fits. I think it is possible to go from the SS1 to the Nautilus depending on torso length. My ds would have fit until about 20-22months and by that time he was almost 30lbs which is the max rf weight currently available in Canada.

There isn't a whole lot of difference between the SR and the SS1 so I really don't think that front to back space will be an issue.

Yes, as the baby gets older she can adjust the recline to be more upright.

unityco said:

Thanks, aidensmom! Should I have any concern about the larger front-to-back size of the SS1? Can she adjust the recline to a more upright position as the baby gets older?

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I think there's only 1" difference front to back between the snugride and SS1 so kind of a non-issue.

Yes, it can be adjusted more upright as baby gets older.

I had the Mosiac stroller in Green Tea. I didn't have the matching SnugRide though. I had a SnugRide to match my Graco Coachrider. My SnugRide was the one that only held up to 20lbs and NO EPS foam. Ickkkkkk! I bought my CoachRider system well over 2 years ago NEW but the DOM was late 04? I just love my CoachRider BUT I hate my Snugride. This is what the ChoachRider looks like http://strollers.baby-gaga.com/graco-coachrider-chauffeur/review3.html

I love my Mosaic and I use it more than the Coach Rider. We took it to the shore with us on vacation. It folds like an umbrella stoller but has all the extras. It reclines, nice size storage basket, cup holder, 3 or 5 pt harness, canopy, light weight.

FYI: You can buy a Mosica and Buy a SS1 separate. The SS1 is compatable with the Mosiac.
Sara

PixieEMT said:

FYI: You can buy a Mosica and Buy a SS1 separate. The SS1 is compatable with the Mosiac.
Sara

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Thanks for your stroller review, Sara. Buying separately is what I was thinking of doing. (I think I saw somewhere though where you could buy a SS1/Mosaic package so they matched. My sister is all about the fashion )

I just checked Gracobaby.com they have a newer Mosaic style stroller the CLEO. Which has 2 cup holders. The pattern Meteor has the matching SS1. http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/pr...uctID=1337&tab=features&CategoryID=&subCatID=

This looks like an updated version of the mosaic. I see it has a child snack tray on the front. The mosaic didn't. Just a padded bar. Which didn't really matter to me b/c he don't eat on the run often.

PixieEMT said:

I just checked Gracobaby.com they have a newer Mosaic style stroller the CLEO. Which has 2 cup holders. The pattern Meteor has the matching SS1. http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/pr...uctID=1337&tab=features&CategoryID=&subCatID=

This looks like an updated version of the mosaic. I see it has a child snack tray on the front. The mosaic didn't. Just a padded bar. Which didn't really matter to me b/c he don't eat on the run often.

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I don't see it on the Graco Canada site although you can buy the stroller where-ever but the seat has to be bought in Canada in order to use it legally. I'm not sure if there would be a stroller that perfectly matched the SS1's available here.

Did you see this snap and go it might be a good alternative to the matching stroller and carseat

Jewels said:

Did you see this snap and go it might be a good alternative to the matching stroller and carseat

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Hmm, I have to suggest that to her and see if that's something she'd be interested in.

Thanks for the tip! :thumbsup: (Any idea where melniemi is?)

unityco said:

Thanks for your stroller review, Sara. Buying separately is what I was thinking of doing. (I think I saw somewhere though where you could buy a SS1/Mosaic package so they matched. My sister is all about the fashion )

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I was actually at Sears the other day and there was a SS1 with a stroller. Sold as a pair. I will look online to see if I can find it

Misty-Bug said:

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000LS8O5Y/sr=1-11/qid=1199820179/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=16340351

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That's a Quattro tour stroller. There's quite a variety of patterns with the SS1 and the quattro tour travel system.. I think the mom wants a mosaic though.

unityco said:

I'm concerned her new baby will spend too much time in the carseat if she gets a SS1 (with the Snugride, when the baby outgrows it she'll HAVE to carry him/her around.)

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One comment about this: It gets REALLY uncomfortable to carry around a 20+lb baby and a monster of an infant seat.. Most people stop carrying their babies around in their infant seats well before they even max out the SnugRide, let alone the SS1. Just provide her with a link on plagiocephaly to make sure she's aware of the issue.

-Nicole.