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NYchic
Girl & boy
Member since 6/09 2357 total posts
Name:
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Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Silly question but everyone on here talks about getting car seat installed...I've had some trouble getting an appt anywhere (I don't live in NY) so I googled installing Graco snugride carseats and up came a ton of youtube videos...looks like my 8 yr old nephew could do it himself. We have a newer car so can do the LATCH install...really seems simple.
Just curious if anyone did it themselves and did not have it checked? I feel like the hospital staff checks it anyway when you leave with baby and won't let you go if it's not in right? Is that true?
TIA!
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Posted 6/2/10 8:23 AM  |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
We will be. I have never heard of having it installed until LIF. I also live in Queens and I know that people have had trouble finding places that do it here. I have nine nieces and nephews  after DH puts the car seat in ( installing sounds so technical LOL ) my brother or sister will just check it out for us.
ETA: Also wanted to add that it doesn't make sense for us since we only got one base since the seat will be in MY car the majority of the time BUT we will be transferring it back and forth to DH's car when needed.
It will be in DH's car for the hospital ride home, not my car - so if we got it "installed" it would only be in that car for the first few weeks until I was cleared to drive.
Message edited 6/2/2010 8:34:05 AM.
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| Posted 6/2/10 8:29 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
My husband would DIE before letting anyone else install a car seat.
He has built decks, done full brake jobs on cars, re-wired our home, done full on plumbing jobs- I think he can handle a car seat install.
ETA- he is also a cop- but for the record- cops are NOT trained on proper car seat installation in the Academy.
So going to the preceint with your car seat to get the install checked is really a waste unless they happen to have someone there specifically trained to do it.
Message edited 6/2/2010 9:07:36 AM.
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| Posted 6/2/10 8:35 AM |
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springsandra
Baby girl has a baby brother!
Member since 11/09 7155 total posts
Name:
Sandra
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
We've been taking my niece and nephew in our car since they were a few months old and we just pull the seats out of SIL's car and stick them in ours and it takes about 30 seconds to hook them in. It seems way too simple, almost.
Maybe put the seat in the way it says on the installer and then go over to a local precinct and see if an officer will double-check what you've done?
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| Posted 6/2/10 8:56 AM |
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
I didn't and to be honest I wish I did. It seemed so easy but we found out later on it wasnt in right. Our car has latch but not in the middle seat.
The hospital didn't check ours at all.
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| Posted 6/2/10 9:00 AM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Personally, I think it's key that everyone knows how to install their own car seat because you never know when you will have to switch cars, get a rental, etc. That being said, I think it's a good idea to get it checked because something like 8 or 9 out of 10 car seats are put in incorrectly.
When I was being discharged with DD, Good Sam did not check the base at all. They did check that she was in the infant car seat correctly, but the base could have been totally wrong for all they knew!
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| Posted 6/2/10 9:09 AM |
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jennarose023
Jack's gonna be a big brother!
Member since 11/08 7769 total posts
Name:
Jenna
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by NervousNell
My husband would DIE before letting anyone else install a car seat.
He has built decks, done full brake jobs on cars, re-wired our home, done full on plumbing jobs- I think he can handle a car seat install.
ETA- he is also a cop- but for the record- cops are NOT trained on proper car seat installation in the Academy.
So going to the preceint with your car seat to get the install checked is really a waste unless they happen to have someone there specifically trained to do it.
sounds like my DH (he's not a cop) but he does everything you could think of...g-forbid someone else did it for him! lol...it really was not complicated at all and we gave it some good tests.
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| Posted 6/2/10 9:10 AM |
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babyonthebrain
Brotherly Love!
Member since 1/08 6209 total posts
Name:
Rafaela
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Hubby did it. He had no issues.
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| Posted 6/2/10 9:18 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by Karen
Personally, I think it's key that everyone knows how to install their own car seat because you never know when you will have to switch cars, get a rental, etc. That being said, I think it's a good idea to get it checked because something like 8 or 9 out of 10 car seats are put in incorrectly.
When I was being discharged with DD, Good Sam did not check the base at all. They did check that she was in the infant car seat correctly, but the base could have been totally wrong for all they knew!
I agree.
If your car breaks down or you need to switch cars. You should be able to remove/install the car seat.
We install ours and it was easy.
Infant seat we installed & was installed correctly.
Convertible we were having trouble with, had it checked, we had done it wrong.
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:04 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
I dont know that any hospital checks the installation of the car seat. They just confirm that the child is leaving in an infant car seat.
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:05 AM |
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BellaRock
I am all the Me I will ever Be
Member since 5/06 9746 total posts
Name:
She who shall remain nameless
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
DH will be installing ours. He doesn't even want to hear about taking it somewhere and having someone else do it.
He put in our first DS car seat and my 2 nieces. He says he's a pro. 
We will only have one base since we have only one car so it wont be coming out.
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:25 AM |
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shelby34
Love being a twin mommy!
Member since 5/07 2934 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
We will be installing our car seats. My hospital does have someone who checks to make sure the seat is properly installed, so that makes me feel better.
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:27 AM |
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MrsSpring
I'm a lucky mama
Member since 1/10 7585 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
dh did it himself. we have graco snugride.
i dont think hospital checks the part in the car
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:51 AM |
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mommy2B3
2 boys 2 girls!!!!
Member since 7/08 3324 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
80% of carseats are installed incorrectly. I would never not get it checked by a professional. Also the hospital does not check to make sure it is in right, they just make sure you have one.
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:51 AM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Out of curiosity, what makes a car seat installer a "professional"? Arent all models of car seats/bases different? Do they have to get certified?
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| Posted 6/2/10 10:57 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
It's not brain surgery - You read the directions and lock it in and tighten it as much as possible - and that's it.
I did it myself for both cars and now for the regular carseat. - I had my cousin's husband check them (only b/c they have twins so he'd BTDT, and my DH and I wanted to be sure we did it right) but I really don't see any reason to have somone actually install it for you ..........
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| Posted 6/2/10 11:14 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by melbalalala
Out of curiosity, what makes a car seat installer a "professional"? Arent all models of car seats/bases different? Do they have to get certified?
Yes, they do have to get certified. Certification is a 5 8-hour per day intense classroom and hands-on course that goes over different types of seats, different types of seat belts, crash dynamics, use of tools like locking clips and belt shortening clips when necessary...
It's much, much more than just reading a manual. The number of car seats that are installed incorrectly is between 80 and 90%. Incorrect installation can be as simple as having the angle of the seat incorrect, not having less than 1" of movement at the belt path, incorrect location for the seat (such as installing in the middle when the car doesn't allow for it), use of aftermarket accessories, "borrowing" outboard LATCH anchors, using LATCH when the weight limit has been exceeded... some seats/vehicles don't allow for the carseat to touch the seat back in front of it.. there's a ton of things for each seat and car combination..
A good CPST will not just install it for you, they will review the seat with you, show you how to use it properly (reviewing things like proper harness tightness/positioning, chest clip position etc), teach you how to install it etc.
If you are in Nassau, you can contact Carseatsafety (Chris) at 516 571 1893. In Suffolk, you can call Hassell Auto Body in West Babylon 631-587-5500
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| Posted 6/2/10 11:14 AM |
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Newly1
I love my baby boy!
Member since 6/08 2804 total posts
Name:
H
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
we were told that the hospital will not check that the seat is installed properly or even that the child is properly secured in the seat b/c of liability. Something must have happened somewhere so they are not allowed to do it anymore. They do however require that you have a carseat installed.
DH installed our carseat and had it checked. He said it was pretty easy and he ended up doing it correctly.
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| Posted 6/2/10 11:45 AM |
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Karebaby
Precious
Member since 10/06 5304 total posts
Name:
Karyn
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
We installed ours ourselves. We have LATCH and it is really simple to figure out. We never had it checked because I know we did it right, and when we try to wiggle the base it doesn't budge.
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| Posted 6/2/10 11:53 AM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
I installed my own. Honestly, I DID do it incorrectly at first with each of my seats (snugride and a britax). I'm a pro at it now but that's only after reading the manuals, installing other people's car seats and watching videos. And doing it wrong.
FYI, I live in Brooklyn where there are relatively few, if any, inspection sites.
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| Posted 6/2/10 11:55 AM |
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NYchic
Girl & boy
Member since 6/09 2357 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
ok thanks for all the responses everyone.
When it comes time for the convertible seat I will probably take that to get installed or checked.
The infant base just seems like a piece of cake...going to try it with DH later. I mentioned the having it checked/installed to friends and siblings with kids and they all laughed in our faces....agree not many people have heard of having this done outside of LIF.
If we have any issues I will definitely find a place to have it checked out.
Thanks for all the responses.
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| Posted 6/2/10 1:38 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by tarabelle99
Posted by melbalalala
Out of curiosity, what makes a car seat installer a "professional"? Arent all models of car seats/bases different? Do they have to get certified?
Yes, they do have to get certified. Certification is a 5 8-hour per day intense classroom and hands-on course that goes over different types of seats, different types of seat belts, crash dynamics, use of tools like locking clips and belt shortening clips when necessary...
It's much, much more than just reading a manual. The number of car seats that are installed incorrectly is between 80 and 90%. Incorrect installation can be as simple as having the angle of the seat incorrect, not having less than 1" of movement at the belt path, incorrect location for the seat (such as installing in the middle when the car doesn't allow for it), use of aftermarket accessories, "borrowing" outboard LATCH anchors, using LATCH when the weight limit has been exceeded... some seats/vehicles don't allow for the carseat to touch the seat back in front of it.. there's a ton of things for each seat and car combination..
A good CPST will not just install it for you, they will review the seat with you, show you how to use it properly (reviewing things like proper harness tightness/positioning, chest clip position etc), teach you how to install it etc.
If you are in Nassau, you can contact Carseatsafety (Chris) at 516 571 1893. In Suffolk, you can call Hassell Auto Body in West Babylon 631-587-5500
See, to ME, all of the things you described as possibly being done incorrectly are easily avoided by reading the manual and following instructions. - I'm not arguing the statistics, but the manual told me the correct way to do all of those things, and how the seat should/shouldn't be etc .........All I had to do was pay some attention.
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| Posted 6/2/10 1:49 PM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by NYchic
ok thanks for all the responses everyone.
When it comes time for the convertible seat I will probably take that to get installed or checked.
The infant base just seems like a piece of cake...going to try it with DH later. I mentioned the having it checked/installed to friends and siblings with kids and they all laughed in our faces....agree not many people have heard of having this done outside of LIF.
If we have any issues I will definitely find a place to have it checked out.
Thanks for all the responses.
The trickiest part with the infant base is getting the angle right. You think it's right until you put the baby in and his/her head flops forward. That's definitely not right.
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| Posted 6/2/10 2:14 PM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
We installed DD's carseat ourselves before she was born. We followed the directions to a "T"
My county did a Saftey Expo a few months later, which included car seat checks. I brought my car over just as a double check and it turned out it was NOT properly installed
When we switched DD to the regular car seat, we took it to be installed rather than do it ourselves.
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| Posted 6/2/10 2:28 PM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Anyone install their own infant car seat?
Posted by MarisaK
Posted by tarabelle99
Posted by melbalalala
Out of curiosity, what makes a car seat installer a "professional"? Arent all models of car seats/bases different? Do they have to get certified?
Yes, they do have to get certified. Certification is a 5 8-hour per day intense classroom and hands-on course that goes over different types of seats, different types of seat belts, crash dynamics, use of tools like locking clips and belt shortening clips when necessary...
It's much, much more than just reading a manual. The number of car seats that are installed incorrectly is between 80 and 90%. Incorrect installation can be as simple as having the angle of the seat incorrect, not having less than 1" of movement at the belt path, incorrect location for the seat (such as installing in the middle when the car doesn't allow for it), use of aftermarket accessories, "borrowing" outboard LATCH anchors, using LATCH when the weight limit has been exceeded... some seats/vehicles don't allow for the carseat to touch the seat back in front of it.. there's a ton of things for each seat and car combination..
A good CPST will not just install it for you, they will review the seat with you, show you how to use it properly (reviewing things like proper harness tightness/positioning, chest clip position etc), teach you how to install it etc.
If you are in Nassau, you can contact Carseatsafety (Chris) at 516 571 1893. In Suffolk, you can call Hassell Auto Body in West Babylon 631-587-5500
See, to ME, all of the things you described as possibly being done incorrectly are easily avoided by reading the manual and following instructions. - I'm not arguing the statistics, but the manual told me the correct way to do all of those things, and how the seat should/shouldn't be etc .........All I had to do was pay some attention.
I missed this before I posted.
DH and I read the manual - car AND car seat. We paid attention, we are intelligent people. As I wrote in my previous post, the car seat was not properly in, even though we did follow the instructions and it SEEMED like it ws in.
For us, it was just peace of mind to just make sure it was correct.
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| Posted 6/2/10 2:30 PM |
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