[~*Max*~]

Should I just get an inexpensive convertible and booster for now and wait to get better ones when I am placed? An infant seat and one of the ones that is for 20 lbs-100lbs? Any brand recommendations? I want to have them in the car and inspected by the police station so unless I have to turn a seat around, I am good to go.

Thank you!!

[Lamaena]

I would recommend you visit online sites about car-seat safety and find out which brands and/or models are the safest for your future child/children.
Hope you get a placement soon.

Good luck!

[WorkingOnAFullHouse]

I bought a convertible car seat (fits 5-100lbs) because we were going for 0-2 years old. Well, we received our first placement late Sunday night and she's 5...so Im glad i bought the one I did because we just made it into a booster seat.

[~*Max*~]

Originally Posted by Lamaena

I would recommend you visit online sites about car-seat safety and find out which brands and/or models are the safest for your future child/children.
Hope you get a placement soon.

Good luck!

I have done some homework on that front - there are inexpensive ones that are highly rated that would do till I knew exactly who was going to be in my home - I mostly want to know if people would recommend an infant carrier and a combo booster seat (the one that kids go straight from the infant seat to and are used till either 80 or 100 lbs) or a convertible and a booster seat. Of course, even then, I could get two who need booster seats. I don't want to be caught with my proverbial pants down again on something so important!

[cgreagor]

I would skip the infant car seat and get the convertible one. They can be place re-facing for infants who are younger than one and then turned around for children older than one. Then get a combo booster in case you need to have a booster for children over 40lbs and you can also use it with the straps for children under 40lbs. If you will be fostering many young children at different times it would be wise to invest in both car seats. You can find these inexpensive but still great car seats.
If you choose to buy one from a re-sale shop or from family or friends...just know the history of the seat (if it had been in a accident) and also check the experation date (yes they have them too!)
Good luck

[wrekdiver]

We have an Eddie Bauer's car seat that was purchased at Big Lots for 30.00!! It's rated for infants - 100lbs. Needless to say, we will not be purchasing another seat for quite some time.

Our DMV and local firestation both have car seats available just for the asking.

Also, our DSS will let any fp borrow a car seat if they need one in a pinch. They will just give us the car seat the child came in and we have to return within 3 days.

I wanted to be sooo ready when our first placement came home. Now my basement is full and I can't possibly store everything a child age 0-5 would need. I won't hesitate to let the sws know I need a few wipes (which dry out and turn to dust when stored) or formula if I'm getting that middle of the night phone call.