SnugRide Lite LX Infant Car Seat

1) Travel with as little as possible by having a full set up in both homes. It's very easy to get young kid stuff second hand. 2) If you need an inexpensive but safe option for sleep, a pack-n-play works. It's not as convenient as a crib (more bending down for the parent) but it's an option that gets the job done for young kids if needed. 3) For travel, I love this very simple and light infant car seat - I think it was this one. [https://www.target.com/p/graco-snugride-35-lite-lx-infant-car-seat/-/A-79436026?preselect=76908019#lnk=sametab](https://www.target.com/p/graco-snugride-35-lite-lx-infant-car-seat/-/A-79436026?preselect=76908019#lnk=sametab) I ended up liking it more than my expensive, fancy car seat. It was so light. My kid liked it way more as well. 4) My experience is that I'd rather fly with an infant than road trip. 5) If you are going down a path of pumping milk you are going to dramatically increase the logistical challenge of travel. I recommend you do not do this (I did and drove myself insane). But if you must...invest in a good quality cooler and ice packs and learn the TSA related rules.

we got this [graco](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y5S4VWT?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_t_fed_asin_title) model. baby gear lab gave it super good reviews for testing just as well in crash tests as more expensive models did

We got the Graco SnugRide Lite for when he’s super tiny and we have the Grow car seat for when he gets a little bigger

I have a graco snug ride 30 lite with the outpace LX stroller travel system. Car seat clicks right into stroller and then when she’s old enough she can use the stroller as normal. It’s super light and the stroller is heavy duty for all terrain, super easy to push. With that stroller, any graco infant seat will fit in it so you can buy the stroller and car seat separate if there’s one you like better. I have a graco 4ever dlx 4 in 1 for when she grows out of her infant seat.

Some of my favorites at different price points (as a NICU based CPST): - Evenflo LiteMax (specifically [this one](https://www.evenflo.com/products/pivot-modular-car-seats-and-stroller-travel-systems) because I prefer this insert style, though the standalone versions also offer an excellent fit). If you expect a preemie or a smaller newborn, Evenflo seats have adjustments to give a truly excellent harness fit- but even for average or large babies they’re great. - Chicco Keyfit 30 or Keyfit Max: very user friendly- the only adjustments you have to make over the life of the seat are removing the infant insert at 11lbs and adjusting the harness height. The bases are also very easy to install. Lots of stroller options from Chicco as well as high end stroller brands with adaptors. Among the more compact seats for front to back space. - Joie Mint Latch: what I used for my youngest baby, and one of my favorite seats I’ve ever used. It’s baseless and has rigid latch anchors that attach directly to the vehicle’s lower anchor points. This is both convenient and very safe - rigid latch is a great energy management feature in a crash and the install is practically foolproof (and the safest car seat is the one that is always used and installed properly!!). The only adjustments necessary are harness height and removing the infant insert. Without a base, it has a very small front to back footprint. - Graco: the NICU nurse in me strongly prefers the higher end ones (with [this style](https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/car-seats/infant-car-seats/snugride-snugfit-dlx-infant-car-seat/SAP_2120493.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ba_grco_DTCSearch_2024&utm_term=conversion&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Greco_US_2024_National_NB_Shopping_Pmax_Asset-Less&utm_term=_-_&utm_content=19593340556_-_&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19593345500&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqs-ClufmkgMVakxHAR2G8hsZEAQYASABEgJSC_D_BwE)of headrest) because the body insert gives an overall better fit for newborns. Realistically any of the Graco infant seats are user friendly and reliable and if you’re on a strict budget, the Snugride Lite seats are a good deal and are usually easier to use than other options in the same price range. - Clek Liing: another seat I used for my own kids. The base is amazing, with features like rigid latch and a load leg that extends to the vehicle floor to help absorb crash energy. The recline adjusts without uninstalling the base, which is fairly unique. The seat itself is sleek, very user friendly (like the Chicco seats and the Mint Latch, the only necessary adjustments are removing the infant insert and changing the harness height as baby grows), and in my opinion comfortable to carry. Lots of stroller compatibility with Nuna/Maxi Cosi adaptors. Also very compact front to back. - Nuna Pipa Urbn: another baseless seat with rigid latch, like the Mint Latch. It has all the same benefits as the Mint Latch, as well as a slightly better fit for newborns under 7-8ish pounds, if you expect that may matter for you. Its biggest drawback is the fact that it only comes as a travel system with Nuna strollers - it’s a huge bummer because I really liked using this seat with the Bugaboo Butterfly (better than the stroller it came with) but I also recognize that most people don’t have extraneous baby gear laying around like I do. - Nuna Pipa RX: this seat has similar base features as the Liing - rigid latch, load leg, adjustable recline without uninstalling the base. The biggest drawback imo is that it can be pretty upright at maximum recline if your vehicle seats are sloped steeply. Otherwise it’s a really user friendly seat with a pleasant user experience. And it also has a huge range of stroller availability. Alternatively, some seats I’d personally avoid: - Baby Trend. Any of them. More trouble than they’re worth, and anything by Graco/Chicco/Evenflo in the same price range will be easier to use. - Uppababy Mesa V2/V3: I really dislike the way newborns are positioned in this seat (admittedly more experience with the V2 than the v3) and do not find it to be a pleasant seat to use in general. If you must have Uppababy, go with the Aria V2; but if you have an Uppababy budget (or stroller), go with a Clek or Nuna seat. Chicco seats are also compatible with some Uppa strollers with the right adaptor.

I want that Doona infant car seat with the wheels attached so bad but its $600 and you might use it for like a year? I keep seeing them everywhere and everyone says its a game-changer. I just don't want to get a used carseat just to afford it. I decided on a Graco infant seat to snap into my BOB jogger (used but mint condition and love it) and then will get one of those transitional ones that rotate for after a year old. My friend just got the rotating one for her 2 year old and she loves it.

Keep in mind you really might not use the infant seat for very long. My baby boy was 16 lbs at 4 months and it just got too heavy to carry inside. I ended up switching him to a convertible because he’s much more comfy in it and it’s easier to put him in/take him out. I personally hold not splurge on an infant car seat, my graco was absolutely perfect