Which Carseat to Buy?

Babytrend makes light carseats. Go to the store and carry them around. The people won't think you're crazy! They expect it!

I'm not sure light is what you are looking for in a protective seat for your little one. I have a Britax for each of my kids and I love them! My 21 month old has been using her Britax since we brought her home from the hospital. Goes from 5-65 lbs. Talk about savings. Britax's website has a cool feature that will help you select the best seat for your little ones based on your wants/needs and size of the child.

I would definitely suggest Britax - my daughter and my nephew both love each of theirs! And they have several different models depending on what your price range is :o)

Congratulation on baby # two! I loved the graco Snugride. This seat was also rated the safest at the time (Two years ago.) Also, to help with trips to the mall, etc, I bought the snap and go stroller frame. The frame is very light (since just a frame) & very inexpensive. You just snap the car seat into the frame and viola', you have a stroller. This way the baby ususally doesn't wake when making the transition. There are many brands. I chose the one with the largest, most accessable basket. I can't remember the brand (I think baby trend) but most baby stores will have a variety to look at. I remember these snap & go frames had much larger baskets than 'regular' strollers.

Best wishes with your new bundle

Britax..but not the huge ones

I've had two, both Graco. They are fine, but I am not in love. If I were looking for an infant carrier/car seat again, I'd want to find one that I could move the handle with only one hand (if there is such a thing). When I put my child/car seat into the back seat and snap it into place, I always have to put down my keys, phone, or whatever is in my hand to flip the handle back (does everyone know that the handle is supposed to be behind baby's head and not over him/her?)

Also, my Graco supports 20 lbs. My baby is 14-15 lbs now and it is heavy already. I bought the 20 lb seat vs. 30 lb seat on purpose as I knew I would not be lugging him around in the seat when he was even close to 30 lbs. He'll outgrow the carrier/seat in about 2 months anyway. So my advice is no need to go to 30 lbs.

Really, once your child gets past 15lbs or so, the infant seat WILL be heavy regardless. The Chicco seats are smaller and lighter, and really nice seats.

If its too heavy, get a sling and take baby out of the car seat and put him in the sling to carry around. We used an infant seat, but my boys never used one outside the car. It was just way more convenient (and safer when shopping) to have baby in a sling.

I loved my Peg Perego. So disappointed when she outgrew it.

I liked the Eddie Bauer seats that I had my daughter in when she was a newborn and then a toddler. They looked nice, were easy to clean, not too hard to install and she found them to be comfortable. We travel alot for my husband's business so she spends alot of time in her car seat. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Britax seat that she has now as a 5 year old. It is larger than the other seat, but lighter and super easy to install, and she finds it very comfortable. First and foremost - when it comes to car seats SAFETY should be the prime concern. Please please watch the video on you tube. I'll include the link - but if it doesn't work for some reason - simply go to youtube and search "5 point car seat" - and watch the first video posted by kcmillerfamily. I have no connection what so ever to the poster - but found it very informative. My father and husband are both retired law enforcement officers - and have both seen first hand the aftermath of the forces that occur in accidents. Good luck! here is the link - please watch it to the end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

I would research the SAFEST seat and also invest in some great baby carriers! Slings have gotten some bad press lately, but that is for only one KIND, the 'bag' slings that are 'commercial'

www.thebabywearer.com/forum is THE place to learn all about slings!

as for carseats, really research for safety- go here:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Graco Snugride with Metrolight stroller. Great, safe and durable seat. Made it through 2 kids and ready for me if we are :-) Both girls were in the seat until they were 12 months old. Stroller is great, but it depends on if your older child still needs to be in the stroller too. If so, a cheaper frame option might be better for you before getting a double stroller.
Congratulations!

I highly recommend the britax. It's the best car seat I ever brought. My daughter love it a lot.