I'm so confused about strollers and carseats!

So, I'm looking at carseats and strollers all over the innernets, and I have so many questions.
1) How do you know which carseats will snap into which strollers? A reviewer on Target said that her Graco carseat fit her Peg Perego stroller--how did she know it would fit?
2) It seems like there's no way around dropping a lot of $$ on travel systems, as a baby will need a new carseat as it grows, making the one that comes with the travel system useless after a few months. Has anyone found a good carseat/stroller combo that worked for a long time?

well if you are goign to buya stroller and car seat sometimes it will cost you more to buy them separately. some babies dont grow as fast as others, so the travel system is a good investment for at least a year, then afer that the stroller is still good. its a little bulky, but nice to have because you have the tray underneath for your bags, and cup holders and the seat reclines for the child if they are sleeping, etc. its so nice to have atravel system because you dont have to wake them up to go anywhere when theyre first born. after they get older they usually wake up anyway but you can just use the stroller at that time.

look on www.gracobaby.com for ideas as graco can be the cheapest and is one of the better brands. and all their carseats fit all their strollers so you can mix and match.

If you buy the gracco travel system with the safeseat instead of the snugride it will also last longer. To 30# I want to say, but I'm not sure? You could always do what they did before, buy a convertable carseat and a stroller, but you won't have the carseat as an infant carrier. . . So you'll make that sacrifice, also you'll have to wake baby up to move from carseat to stroller.

I would go with the travel system it's honestly cheaper that way and you will still get at least a good 6 months out of the ccarrier and then Evenflo makes a carseat that you can use FOREVER i swear! And that's more when you should invest in the carseat that lasts for a long time! http://www.target.com/Evenflo-Triumph-Advance-Convertible-Barley/dp/B000PD55OI/qid=1214685379/ref=br_1_9/601-0784500-7758550?ie=UTF8&node=3579961&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

And the stroller you can use really until you don't want to anymore! lol

This woman rocks for all carseat questions!
She knows her stuff and is totaly sweet!
http://members.baby-gaga.com/member267168

What is your budget? Do you want an infant seat? Do you care if the infant seat is out growen in a few mos. or would you like it to last longer? What type of stroller are you looking at? 3 wheels, 4 wheels, jogger type, travel system type. I know alot about car seats and strollers.

Just to let you know most hospital will not allow you to take baby home unless it's in a infant seat and gracos safe seat goes up to 30lbs, My daughter is 7months, weighs close to 20lbs and is in her mid 20" in height and I still use it espicaly since she's a light sleeper. I use her car seat on her graco thinner black and pink stroller even though car seat is green.

I have the black one in black and pink and I have the travel system similar to the one underneath, I got the slimmer one for when we fly as hubby being stationed in Tx, his family in Md and mine in England it works out great.

Quoting english_mommy:“ Just to let you know most hospital will not allow you to take baby home unless it's in a infant seat ... [snip!] ... since she's a light sleeper. I use her car seat on her graco thinner black and pink stroller even though car seat is green.”

You do not have to use an infant seat. Hospitals can not tell you you may not take you baby home in a convertible car seat. They are just as safe as an infant car seat as long as the fit the baby, and are installed right.

i got the graco quattro tour travel system. the stroller is good for baby to 50 lbs and car seat to 30. Most infant carseats are only good to 22 lbs so the one I chose was about $260, but it will last longer than something I could have paid $20 or so less for.

I got it at babies r us.

No most hospitals wont allow you depends on which states, as most hospitals if you preregister supply you with an infant seat, because most convertible seats don't support the baby properly. As I've heard alot of people say they weren't allowed to take baby home until they got an infant seat. my hospital made me take the one they supplied home even though I had my own.

Quoting darlenesmommy..:“ You do not have to use an infant seat. Hospitals can not tell you you may not take you baby home in a ... [snip!] ... in a convertible car seat. They are just as safe as an infant car seat as long as the fit the baby, and are installed right.”

the hospital my baby was at did a "car seat check" prior to us leaving to make sure the baby did fit properly. Most hospitals do, because GOOD hospitals want to make sure your baby is in the safest seat you can get for them.

Quoting english_mommy:“ No most hospitals wont allow you depends on which states, as most hospitals if you preregister supply ... [snip!] ... to take baby home until they got an infant seat. my hospital made me take the one they supplied home even though I had my own.”

well my hospital didnt even check the car seat or care if the baby was even in one or in it right, or if it was installed right. and all car seats are tested and approved, so theres no difference if you have a convertible one thats approved for babies as small as 5lbs, or if you have an infant carrier.

Quoting Toby has arrived:“ the hospital my baby was at did a "car seat check" prior to us leaving to make sure the baby did fit ... [snip!] ... fit properly. Most hospitals do, because GOOD hospitals want to make sure your baby is in the safest seat you can get for them.”

my hospital was a good hospital. i wasnt in a skank hospital. they have one of the best birthign centers in MI.