Deciding on New Infant Seat

[Vinjari1990]

Need to replace infant seat that was in minor car accident. It was a 2014 Britax B Safe so not the current version. I will be reimbursed by insurance at that seat retailed for $169.99 so I am hoping to stay right around that price point and am hopeful to take advantage of good pricing this upcoming black Friday. I need some help.

I am involved with foster care and only foster infants. I don't currently have placement. I need a seat that can fit a preemie well as that is always a possibility. I also need a seat that installs fairly easily in car without base since baby would go various DCF workers to visits with birth family and it's not practical to move base back and forth, etc.

I have read a lot of negative reviews about the new Britax B Safe, mainly it being so deep bigger babies not being very comfortable so I plan to avoid that seat. I've seen some sales on the Chicco and I love this brand so it's on my short list. Graco seats confuse me, there are so many but it seems like the click connect 35 (?) Gets good reviews for preemie fit?

I have a Britax stroller but am not concerned about stroller compatability because my son would be in that, he is 2, and I would wear baby until older and eventually invest in double stroller.

Any recommendations?? I have a 2016 Ford Escape so I am not concerned about fit to vehicle. I am 5'5 and seats seem to work well in my car. Just feel overwhelmed with too many options and I have zero experience with preemies but I know it's a very common scenario with fostering so I want a seat that can work well

 

[Brianna]

I would start with the list of recommended seats for preemies here http://carseatblog.com/9813/recomme...ies-multiples-carseatblogs-list-of-best-bets/ the only seat on that list I've had hands on experience with is the Safety 1st OnBoard 35 which I found to be a dream to install baseless. I found it fit larger babies well, my friends twins stayed in them until 15 months when their heads were nearing the 1" limit.

 

[Vinjari1990]

Thanks I was actually just looking at that list and did take a quick look at that seat. Seems like the main negatives were stroller incompatibility and width of seat being large. Neither are major concerns on my end I just don't have any experience with that brand. I'll look at it again though.

 

[happymom]

I second the onboard air. My boy still fit in it when he was 2, it fits preemies and bigger kids well. It is really easy to use and move from car to car.

My friend had it for her son and would let me use it for mine when we'd go out together.

 

[Vinjari1990]

Ive been reading more reviews on the Safety First Onboard seat....some sites mention it can't be installed without base?? Was this once the case or is it now? Or possibly a misprint?? My biggest need is easy install without base in various cars because of fostering and transports etc.

 

[Brianna]

It can be installed baseless. There are instructions in the manual for how to do it.