In preparing for our little girl, I dreaded the car seat search. I hate carrying them around, period. As a petite mama it is awkward, bigger than I am, and my ground clearance is minimal. I don't know about you other petite mamas, but I plan to avoid using it as much as possible. I'd much rather take baby in and out each time after a car trip than lug that thing around. But they are what is best for baby-and not to mention using them is the law.
When we decided to look for a car seat our first question was whether or not to go for an infant car seat or a convertible. We chose infant because that is the time most likely when I'd carry baby in a car seat anyway, and these models are smaller and lighter. Even though it means we have to buy another seat after the baby is a year of age, we figured the extra pound or two we'd save and frustration from lugging it around would be well worth the extra money. With that decision made it was off to Babies R Us to try out their selections, while armed with our Baby Bargains book to make sure we picked a safe model.
When looking at infant seats I wanted the smallest, lightest one possible with the highest safety rating. Turns out that the Graco Snugride fits the bill. In the end we decided to go with the Snugride 32 (height limit 32 inches, weight limit 32 lbs.), as the normal height of 29 inches and weight of 22 lbs. for the limits of the regular Snugride was a bit borderline. We really want to keep our little girl rear-facing for the entire first year as that is what is considered safest. The 32 bought is that little extra breathing room in case our baby was a little big or tall
The car seat is about average in ground clearance (when I pick it up with a straight arm) and weight, although a smidge heaver than the non-32 version. I can carry it, even lift it up into a shopping cart if needed. Do I like it? No, but I think this one is the most comfortable for me to use of all that I tried.
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