Do people steal baby car seats?

I've recently ended my research stage on the damn car seat issue. (I'm due in early February.) I didn't run across this permanent car seat that you speak of, but it's rather a moot point since we don't have a car. These days kids have to be in car seats/booster seats until 80-100lbs. I decided it makes the most sense to get a convertible car seat. They often work backward facing until 30-40lbs, then forward facing till 70lbs, then some of them convert to a booster seat for the time until 80-100lbs.

Even though we don't have a car, I'm assuming we are going to have to get in one any number of times before Zygote reaches the 5th grade so I am looking to get one of these now. It won't be a snazzy little infant seat that can be carried around, but damned if I'm buying two car seats while living in this city.

The stroller search alone nearly did me in. I made spreadsheets and nearly hit my head on the wall numerous times while realizing my life was now dedicated to watching peppy women extol stroller virtues on youtube. I finally decided on one and then found out recently that the 2012 model is coming out soon. Having to choose to buy the on-sale 2011 version or wait for the '12 has me depressed. If you want my spreadsheets and research I can pm that to you if you want.

But to your actual question, I don't know if people still break into cars to steal car seats. I know they sure used to. In the late 80's/early 90's in particular my parents used to post a sign in their car that said "No Carseat, No Radio, No Nothing. ALARM" But these days people leave radios in their cars, so maybe it's not so bad anymore? I wouldn't risk it myself.

Our car was just broken into and they left the two booster seats. They took our gum.

Well, that edit went poorly.

Also on the subject of transporting babies, a Baby Bjorn or Ergo carrier has far greater utility than a stroller for infants. You can use it around the house as well as outside, and it can often help soothe a cranky baby while leaving you with two free hands to do stuff around the house or use a computer. I'm guessing strollers become more important when they get too big to carry around.

We (including the baby) prefer the Ergo, at least for the infant stage. Best of luck to all of you, and let me be the first to say it's not as bad as people make it out to be

Congrats to both of you! I'm the father of 4 year old twins, and like everyone is probably telling you, it changes your life, largely for the better.

I'm sure everyone is giving you advice, so here's some more. Everyone's experiences & circumstances are, of course, different, so take it as it is.

If you own a car that you plan to transport the baby in frequently, one of those car seats with a base is the way to go. It takes a few minutes to properly hook in a car seat, which can be a hassle when it's raining, the baby is crying, etc. With a base, you just snap in the seat and go. You can take the seat like a bassinet with you so you don't disturb the baby. We had seats that snapped into a frame (I think it was "Snap and Go") & turned into a stroller.

Had car seats in our car, which is parked on the street every night, for 5 years. Never had an issue.

Really? I can't open that site from work. Must be a slow news day in Park Slope.