Car seat issues for foster children

Well, the infant carrier and base will see you through a year if you get the newer ones. But you can also get one car seat that will likely take them from 5lbs. through age 3 by turning it from rear-facing to forward. It doesn't have the convenience of a carrier, but then you could also use a body carrier when they're small (a Moby wrap or Baby Bjorn--whatever) and then it wouldn't matter. For us, we already had both because we had a bio son. I will say this: if you go with the infant carrier that snaps into a base, keep an eye out at garage sales, etc. for a Snap-N-Go because these are a dream. ;) I have it, plus a double version and the sit-n-stand (which is enormous and I really don't recommend it--far less useful than I thought it would be). And if you get caught off-guard, DYFS can always get a car seat for you even if it's temporary (although I've heard of them just giving it to you sometimes--maybe it depends on the office?)