Graco SnugRide 8649 - Lotus Infant Car Seat

Pros: Secure, easy to use, lightweight, compatible with other brands of strollers
Cons: None!

I have a new baby and have just bought all of the new baby necessities. An infant carrier/car seat was a major item, we could not leave the hospital without it! We researched many infant carriers for months but ultimately decided on the GRACO ...

Pros: Stroller Compatible, Excellent Safety Ratings, Easy to Use
Cons: Seat Fabric not Soft, Babies Grow out of it WAY before 1 year of age

I did a lot of homework before buying my car seat, and I'm REALLY glad I did for many reasons. This seat is in the top 3 seats on Consumer Reports for safety ratings, so I skipped past all of the rest of them to decide between the three (SnugRide, Peg ...

Pros: Convenience, Price, Weight
Cons: None

We got this seat for our new son in the Emerson pattern which is no longer available :(. We also got the Metrolite stroller in the same pattern. We have been extremely pleased with this seat! We did our research before deciding on a car seat and found ...

Pros: sturdy, reliable, strong, easy to carry, works with mostly all strollers including snap-n-go
Cons: Maybe a little bulkier than some

I received this as a gift. I didn't originally have it on my registry as i had another model in mind. I couldn't have been more pleased with this seat. My child loved to be in it. IT is light weight and very sturdy. It worked so well with all ...

Pros: Safety!
Cons: Heavy with a 15 lb infant in it. Only goes to 22 lbs

We have this Graco SnugRide in the Emerson pattern which is unfortunately no longer available. This is a great seat. We definitely feel that our infant is safe in it. I really researched my options before my son was born. I know that some seats go ...

Pros: Everything
Cons: Haven't found anything yet

I've used two separate Snugrides and an Evenflo since I had my two children. I would pick the Snugrides again hands down.

I loved the 5 point harness over the 3 point. I don't see why anyone would think the 3 point harness was easier, and a 5 point is so much safer.

I loved the front adjuster option it was so easy to keep the harness tight.

Love the chest clip it was less bulky than the Evenflo clip and much easier on a newborn.

Love the headrest that came with it, any rest that is bought separately is considered an aftermarket product and should not be used. This one is more than adequate to keep a newborns head upright.

In the car the carrier handle can be left upright which is not allowed by ANY Evenflo seat. That's a plus when you drive a Focus as the Evenflo also requires 1.5" clearance between the seat back and car seat handle.

Pros: Adjustable features, trustworthy brand name
Cons: Could use a lighter fabric

The SnugRide Lotus is specifically for infants up to 22 lbs. Since I have very limited experience with babies and care seats I got this because the price was reasonable, the adjustability of the headrests and shoulder straps and the ease of cleaning. Plus several baby-related websites said this model (made by Graco, a pretty reliable name in all products useful to children and parents) was a best-seller. But the blanket fabric is a little too thick for use in the area where we live. I think my daughter gets a little overheated on warmer days. On the other hand, the Lotus is easy to use, lightweight and will be donated to either Goodwill or another friend's child as soon as she grows out of it! One thing I definitely wasn't anticipating about a baby is that she gets too big for nearly everything so quickly!

Pros: Color, Safety, Weight
Cons: Sunvisor won't stay straight.

This is my second child so I knew a little more about what exactly I wanted in a car seat. I fell that I made the CORRECT decision with this car seat!! I love it. It is not only lightweight, but I fell that my little boy is very safe in it. The description SnugRide is correct. It fits around him perfectly, making for a very safe and comfortable seat for him! The fact also that it fits many other strollers is a great point. I have a 3 year old as well so I decided to go with a Graco 2 seater stroller and this carseat fit perfectly! The only problem I have encountered is that the sunvisor won't stay straight.