At first we didn't want an infant car seat. "We'll just get a convertible," we said. But even though our son arrived 11 pounds and 22 inches long, he would slump down in the top-rated car seat we had. After slumping would come the screaming. And once the screaming started, I was crying - desperate to find the nearest parking lot to stop in and calm my poor child.

The Chicco-KeyFit 30 is a top-rated car seat by Consumer Reports, which I found somewhat useless - as they only evaluate it on how easy it is to install. Granted, it took like 30 seconds to install, and was very easy, but is that all there is to a car seat? Not for me.

This seat comes with a level marker so you know the base is installed correctly, it comes with an infant insert - no more slumping, it's easy to carry, and when off the base can be set up to rock or stay still, depending upon what you need and where you put the handle.

It is so easy to change the base that we're not getting one for our second car. When we need to take the other car, we just move the base. It takes longer to get to the other car than to install the base in it.

Easy to install (!)--has built in levels, so you know you're getting it right. With the Chicco Cortina stroller, you've got a safe & good-looking travel system in a non-annoying color palette.

the best to have...hands down.