Infant bucket or convertible?

[2goingon2]

Baby boy #5 will be here sometime in December and we have no carseat for him. With my other 4, I always used the infant bucket-type. Times and safety concerns have changed so I'd like to get some more advice: what has worked best for you? Is there a safety concern regarding the bucket seats?

[Marissamom]

I'm not aware of any particular safety concerns with bucket seats other than they are outgrown before most of us want to put our kids forward-facing. with my DD (and I plan to do the same with the next one) we used a bucket for the first 6 months because it was so much more convenient when she would fall asleep in the car all the time. when running errands if she fell asleep in the car I could just move her carseat to the stroller and not have to wake her. she's outgrown her bucket by length now, but is still under 20 lbs, so even if we were just going to the legal limits we would have needed a convertible. but hopefully it will be the only seat she uses until she's ready for a booster.

[TheGirls]

There are convertibles that safely fit most newborns from birth, and you'll need a convertible eventually. However, infant seats are convenient and equally safe (used properly, of course). It is really a matter of preference & budget. If you prefer an infant seat and can afford one (or are gifted one, or can borrow one from a trusted friend) then it's fine, safety wise!

I don't love the infant seats personally, and didn't plan to use one with #2, however it turns out we're having #2 & #3 together, and in the middle of winter, in a cold-weather climate. So, we're using DD's infant seat and borrowing a second one. I'll probably put them in convertibles in spring though.

[2goingon2]

Thank you both. I too like the convenience of the bucket seats during cold weather. I think I'll stick to one of those and move to a convertible when height/weight allow.

[jellybeanandkids]

We got a bucket seat for DD, but it's one of the bigger ones that go p to 30lbs, so it lasts longer. She is still using hers (at 16 months), although I will be getting her a convertible soon.
I don't carry her in the bucket anymore, haven't done that in a long time, I just leave it in the car like I would a convertible seat.

[clarinetb]

The safety concerns I know of regarding infant bucket seats are around SIDS, not car seat safety. Infants sleeping in a more upright position, like infant bucket seats, are at increased risk of SIDS. There is also concern that it is the fact they are deeper and so worse airflow and you run into the recycle air problem that is linked with SIDS. These are more of an issue with keeping them in their seats beyond a car ride, people who move them inside and let them continue to sleep in the seat.