If you purchase a Graco Travel System for infants, one component that is included is the Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base. This base is also available for separate purchase. I received the Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base as part of the Sterling LiteRider Travel System and we also purchased one separately for use in an alternate vehicle.

The base is available in a variety of colors, sold to match your Graco Carseat. Our base was Navy Blue with a red foot and lettering. I've seen it in tan and also white or black.
Additional bases are considered "accessories" for your carseat and are sold most places that carry infant seats. We got ours from Babies 'R Us and it was under $30.

For Safety Reasons
With the Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base installed in your vehicle use of your infant carseat becomes a convenience. Carseat installation can be a major pain in the butt and is not something you want to mess around with. This is your child's safety! With this base you only need to install the carseat base one time and then infant carseat carrier literally "clicks" in and out the base with a one hand release mechanism.

In addition the Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base allows your Graco Infant Car Seat to be adjusted to proper recline. Infant carseats need to be at a 45 degree angle, and rear facing. The Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base has a "foot" on it that can be raised or lowered so that your carseat is installed at the proper angle.

For Convenience Reasons
Do you use more than one vehicle on a regular basis?

Will you have a babysitter,nanny or Grandparents be transporting your child?

If you answered yes to either of the above questions consider purchasing a Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base. An extra base is inexpensive (compared to the cost of an entire seat) and will save you the hassle of re-installing your infant carseat over and over from vehicle to vehicle.


Ease of Use
To install, it was as simple as running the seat belt through 2 slots and tightening the belt. A significant amount of pressure needs to be applied so that the seat is secure and does not move. Inspection of your carseat installation is also recommended and can be done at most Fire Departments.

To use, simply sit the carrier seat into the base. If you hear a click then it is secure. To release, press in on a one hand release mechanism and lift out the seat. It sounds pretty easy and it is! However, the CLICK is important. If it doesn't click, then the seat is not secure. I always pulled up on the seat and gave it a little tug after the click to make sure it was secure. On a few occasions it didn't CLICK on the first try and I was glad to have checked.


Compatibility
The Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base works with any Graco SnugRide carseat. For questions on carseat compatibility please check with the manufacturer. Different brand infant seats will not safely work with this base. Don't even think about it.

Overall

The Graco Stay In Car Adjustable Base is a great accessory to have for your Graco SnugRide Infant Seat.
It bears mentioning, however, that if your child is larger (as ours was) you may not be using your infant carseat for very long. The seat that this base works with is the Graco SnugRide. The SnugRide is a popular seat suitable for infants 0-20 pounds in the rear-facing position. However, if your experience is anything like mine, you will most likely find it easier to move your child to a convertible carseat before they hit the 20 pound limit. My son outgrew the SnugRide seat very quickly. For more info about the SnugRide carseat see my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_33225674372

However, during the time we did use our infant seat- the base was great to have. The base allows for you to deal with all the muss and fuss of getting the baby wrapped up and buckled into the seat indoors and then just snap the carseat carrier into the base in the car. This was a major convenience and asset during the cold winter months (which my son was born in).

For more info:
www.gracobaby.com


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 30
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months