WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

So I guess DH trusts the advice I get on here from you ladies

We have a new infant car seat and two new bases that go with it, one for each of our cars

My mom will be watching baby 1.5 days a week and her friend gave her a used car seat and infant carrier

SO I was thinking we should just buy her a new base because we shouldn't use a used base right? I mean, am I being paranoid, or following what I think is good advice...anything I've heard or read says not to used a car seat...

My DH doesn't disagree with me, but wanted to make sure (from you ladies lol) that this is a good idea before spending $70 on a base.

Your advice please ?

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

unless you can prove beyond a doubt that the car seat was never ever in an accident (whether the child was in it or not) i would not accept a used car seat. it's just not worth the risk.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I would totally use a used BASE...you're not talking about the seat, right, just the base?

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I wouldn't use either a used base or car seat.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I say get a new one.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I say buy a new base for your mom, and just have your infant carrier click into it when needed.

I would not use a used car seat or base unless I knew it wasn't in an accident for sure.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

It's also not just being in an accident that makes it less safe. The plastic ages and deteriorates. That's why they have "expiration dates" on them. As soon as the seat (or base) is manufactured, it starts to age and degrade. If you get a used base, you're already partway into that degrading cycle.

It's probably OK, especially if you check the manufacturing date, but I always err on the side of caution, and I would buy a new one.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I too would not use a used car seat. On top of being in an accident would make the seat less effective... I've read that you should not use a car seat for more than 5 years. Do you know how old this one is?

Even though your mom got the seat from a good friend... where, when and from whom did the friend get it from? My MIL buys car seats at garage sales for when her grandson comes up from FL and that's a no go for me and our baby. I'd buy a new seat that comes with the base.

You never know if the new base may have one new latching thing that's not fully compatible with older seat.

I'd get a new less expensive seat over using a used one. I read in Baby Bargains, that any car seat, be it the top of the line at BRU for $300 or the great deal at Walmart for $90, still has to pass the same safety regulations rating. The price bracket difference comes from the available patterns, fabric washablility, extra features, non twisting straps, etc... and for a secondary babysitter's seat, I think that would be fine.

Graco Snugride at Walmart... $83



So for $10 more, you'd get a new seat and base all together. All safety guaranteed.

Re: WWYD--car seat related, DH asked me to post :-)

I probably would not use a used car seat. You need to know 2 things for sure---was it ever in an accident? how old is it? If it was ever in an accident, it's not safe. If it's older than 5 years, it's not safe. (please double check the 5 year rule..I think that's it, but it may be less.) I would probably only use it if it was from a very close friend, who I know for sure had never been in any type of accident, and the car seat is still very new--like no more than a year old.