| I remember very clearly the first day we | | | | I try out an Eddie Bauer model. Still others |
| brought our oldest daughter home from the | | | | looked at me and laughed when I told them I |
| hospital. Lucky for me my husband is a car | | | | wasn't going to buy a travel system that came |
| seat technician, so I had no worries that we | | | | with a car seat and stroller. Others |
| had installed our Graco infant carrier | | | | suggested starting right off the bat with a |
| correctly. Interestingly, my husband | | | | convertible car seat. And everyone, I mean |
| procrastinated installing the seat until the | | | | EVERYONE was positive their opinion was the |
| day I was scheduled to go in for my induction | | | | best.Eventually we decided to stick with the |
| (my baby was a week overdue).I think until | | | | Graco infant carrier because it was |
| that point the idea of having a baby wasn't | | | | convenient. Of course, we had a porky 8 pound |
| real. Reality sure struck like a hammer | | | | baby that outgrew her seat within 8 months. |
| however a few days later, when we packed our | | | | Actually, technically she probably outgrew it |
| bags up and prepared to bring our bundle of | | | | closer to seven. After that we decided to go |
| joy home. The nurse in the maternity ward | | | | with a convertible car seat. While many |
| was insistent about checking to make sure our | | | | parents suggested starting out with the |
| baby was nestled safely into her carseat. | | | | convertible seat, I am actually glad we did |
| She took great care to coach me about how to | | | | have the infant carrier to start with. For a |
| put the baby in the carseat and support her | | | | few months anyway, I started developing |
| head. She also told me of the steps I should | | | | enviable biceps from carrying around my |
| take to make sure the straps weren't too | | | | large, bouncing baby girl. I sort of missed |
| tight and adjusted properly. Of course, she | | | | that once we changed to the convertible.There |
| knew of my husbands experience but still | | | | are many things to look for when deciding the |
| walked down to make sure we had installed the | | | | right carseat. Here is what I learned from |
| car seat properly. She wanted to make sure | | | | my car seat shopping adventures: |
| the seat was in the middle of the backseat.My | | | | |
| husband and I smiled at each other. Once we | | | | You may change your mind midway through. We |
| got in the car however we realized how | | | | thought the infant carrier would last us at |
| terrified we were. That was the first time I | | | | least a year. As it turns out, we had to |
| have ever seen my husband drive 20 miles an | | | | shop for another carseat much sooner than |
| hour down the highway back home. Normally | | | | expected. If you think you will have a large |
| the drive was about 25 minutes to the | | | | baby (hint, your size or your partners, or |
| hospital. It probably took us close to an | | | | even your mothers history might clue you in) |
| hour to get home that day. Looking back, we | | | | shop for an infant carrier with a higher |
| are lucky we didn't get into an accident for | | | | weight range. Some only carry a baby to 20 |
| driving too slow!Selecting The Perfect | | | | pounds, while others go to 22 (and two pounds |
| Carseat | | | | is a world of difference for a baby). |
| | | | |
| Of course, that was the fun part of the | | | | Keep in mind the advice of others, but |
| story. Actually finding a car seat was a | | | | remember you know best when it comes to your |
| mindboggling task. As first time parents, | | | | lifestyle and preferences. You should select |
| everyone and their mother had an opinion | | | | the carseat you are most comfortable with, |
| about the best type of car seat for us to | | | | not the one someone insists you buy because |
| use. There were loads of fans of the Graco | | | | they like it. |
| brand (which we finally settled on). I had | | | | |
| one friend drag me to Babies R Us and insist | | | | Consider a convertible seat. |