It is the Graco Ashleigh 4-in-1. Graco is made by parent company Bonavita, which scored an "A" rating in Baby Bargains and is their top pick for a budget crib. It has a drop side, cherry finish, and retails for around $160. Graco's customer service also frequently gets very good reviews, so I'd trust them to rectify any unfavorable situation quickly.The car seat I'm planning on going with is also a Graco. The Graco SnugRide retails around $80 and has a somewhat low weight limit - 22lbs. However, I plan to keep our child rear-facing until at least age 2, so we will be moving him/her immediately to a convertible rear-facing car seat once he/she outgrows the weight limit. Graco was also rated "A" by Baby Bargains and was also rated highly by Consumer Reports. I also like that the seat can be used with different strollers, since I do not plan to purchase a travel system, and that it's pretty light (7lbs). Since no one publishes crash test ratings, it makes it difficult to determine the "safest" car seat, but I'm confident this one will work for our family.
The best part about the Graco over the Chicco car seat that I was also considering is that the Graco is compatible with the stroller we'll be getting. I didn't want to go with a travel system because they can be so heavy and bulky, and I wanted one that can be used with an infant seat, can be used easily in a variety of situations, and has a true one-hand fold. Oh yeah, and I also wanted a tray, and didn't want to spend over $300. Guess again if you think that's easy to find. However, Baby Bargains again rated this brand (Baby Jogger) an "A", and it fits all of my requirements. For only $220 (plus the cost of accessories), the Baby Jogger City Mini has all the bells and whistles. My only gripe is that the Mini does not have an available jump seat for when baby #2 comes along - we'll have to get a Mini double or upgrade to a Classic or Elite version. 
Do any of you mommies have any of these items? I'd love to hear your personal stories! Audrey, I look forward to your e-mail on the great Graco/Chicco debate :)
6 comments:
Hey!
I got the Graco Lauren crib - it has great reviews and came highly recommended both by friends in real life and girls on the Bump boards. So I bet the Graco crib you picked out will be good too. And yes, it has a dropside!
I went with the Chicco over Graco for a few reasons, but really they both seem like good options and it totally just depends on what you are looking for.
Wow, I totally didn't recognize that as a Graco, it looks much nicer in your photos than the stock ones on BRU/Walmart. I think I like the Ashleigh the best, but now looking your Lauren, I'm up in the air again!! :)
Can I ask why you chose the Chicco vs the Graco? We're not doing the travel system, which seems to be pretty much the standard, so I think that may be skewing the way I look at using an infant seat.
lol the Great Chicco/Graco debate... aye aye aye!
1. I liked the Chicco patterns/colors better (okay, not really a valid reason - but the rest are valid, I promise!)
2. I'll have to find the link but there was an article published with crash test videos of all the major carseat brands - the Chicco was one of the only infant seats that stayed attached to the base - the Graco flew right off. Granted, I know that this was just a one time thing and could've been a fluke for the Graco but upon further reading I found out that the Chicco has an extra secure latching system from the carrier to the base - this is why their carseats only snap into their strollers.
3. Jumping off of #2 - I originally did not want a travel system because like you, thought they were too bulky and would be a PITA to deal with...BUT I had only seen the Graco ones. I actually really like the Chicco stroller that comes with the travel system, it definitely seemed lighter and smaller than the similar Graco models and it collapses and assembles quite easily - I've practiced more than a few times in our living room and I think I could do it one handed if I had too (granted, I haven't tried holding a baby in the other arm yet...)
4. Reading reviews from moms on The Bump and from mom friends IRL, there seemed to be less complaints and more praises overall about the Chicco - the only big complaint I've seen is that some babies get too hot in the infant carrier in warmer temps (something I don't really worry about living in AK, haha!) and the whole it not being compatible with other strollers. But for Aaron and I and what we'll use a stroller for, the one that comes in the Travel System is just fine.
5. It did get slightly higher ratings in consumer reports, which I did not know until after we had settled on and bought it - not sure it would've made the final difference for us but it was nice to know :)
They are both a good bet and both have pros and cons depending on what you are looking for though!
Just read this on my local bump board:
The Chicco Keyfit 30 fits with the Baby Trend "snap n go" stroller frame - it doesn't "click" in, but a few of the moms who have it say it fits in nice and snug and there is a strap to secure it as well. So I guess there is at least one lighter stroller option that will work with it! Thought I'd share :)
Thanks Christie!
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