Help! Baby sling/travel system/stroller dilemma?
MJ MCK asked:
Hi,
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Hi,
My first baby is due in early July, and I’m wondering what to do about a stroller. I’m leaning towards using a sling most of the time, and wondering if I would need to buy a travel system with the car seat, or just a stroller and car seat separate…wondering if I could please have the opinions of parents with experience with these?? Thanks!!
March 24th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
If I were you, I would get both… I would have either a sling or Baby Bjorn type of carrier as well as a travel system (stroller and carseat combo). There are going to be some circumstances when it’s going to be easier with the sling and other times when you are going to want to use the stroller. So, if you can, have both available to you.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I like the travel systems, mainly because when the baby is newborn she will almost always fall asleep in the carseat, all you have to do is take it out of the car and snap it into the stroller, they fit together perfectly. I have evenflo, graco is also nice. my SIL had comfi and HATES it, i have to admit, it looks kinda flimsy next to mine. slings are great it you find one that fits you and once you get the hang of it, i dont like them though
March 27th, 2009 at 1:06 am
I love my sling. I stil carry my one year old in it.
We also have a Graco travel system that I feel is invaluable.
When he was a baby and fell asleep in the car seat it was really convieient to just pop out the seat and into the stroller and go. Also while I love my sling, if we are going to be walking a lot (like a museum or amusement park) I always take the stroller because it is tough to carry the baby AND a diaper bag AND lunch and everything else I’ll need and the stroller makes it really convieient.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I use my sling and ONLY used the sling when she was small. Say until about 8 months of age. Thereafter she went in the Mei Tei.
My friends bought us a travel system with the attached car seat and after pricing them out- it was cheaper to do it that way.
However, when we went out, the car seat stayed in the car except to carry her to and from our home. She rode in the sling when shopping and eating out.
Price them out and see what you think. She is 19 months old and her stroller looks brand new still. It is just now getting more use because she is heavier.
Good luck!
Edit: as an aside- when you use a sling or a mei tei- prying eyes and hands stay OUT. Likewise, it is much easier to walk with a baby in a crowded area. Just make sure you keep one hand over the front of your sling. Many did not know that I was carrying/nursing a baby and nearly ran into her with their carts!
March 30th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I hate those “travel systems.” They look bulky and ugly, and no newborn would ever, ever choose to be in one over a parent’s arms or sling…
Get a convertible car seat and leave it in the car, get a sling, and hold off on getting a stroller.
I have a seven-month-old and have yet to buy a stroller. I will if my back gives out, but it is SO much nicer just toting her around in a baby carrier (usually an Ergo carrier these days). I can go anywhere I please without worrying about a stroller, and my daughter is ALWAYS content and happy. And safe.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:27 am
I use tha sling with our 6 1/2 month old at least once a day. When she was really little I used a Snugli, but wish I had discovered a sling earlier. I always wear her out in public — at the mall, grocery shopping, at the airport during a recent trip, etc., unless she’s sleeping where I put the whole car seat in the shopping cart. I’ve only used the stroller part of her travel system a few times.
Now with the gift of hindsight, I wish I had bought the carseat only, several slings and wraps, and maybe got a stroller down the road. The stupid one that came with the travel system doesn’t even fit in my trunk, and therefore has to go in the backseat.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:02 am
I have to say as for myself I like the travel system. I have a sling and my daughter hates it. But the travel system is awesome. I can just put the carseat right on the stroller and not wake her up and keep going. You don’t have to buy a travel system but just remember too that at some point your little one is going to get bigger and you aren’t going to be able to carry them in a sling. I know the system I have can be used until they are I think it’s 50 pounds. Really it’s up to you but I would definitly recommend it. Good luck and congrats to you.
April 4th, 2009 at 2:51 am
We got a travel system as a shower gift, and I also have a ring sling, baby wrap, and mei tai. I almost always left the carseat and stroller in the car. It’s so much easier to wear her and she’s a million times happier that way. The only time I used the travel system was if she fell asleep in the car, then I’d use the stroller, but it was rare. She also outgrew the infant carrier around 6 months, and we moved her into a convertible seat. I still have the stroller, but the only time I use it is if we are walking at the park, because she loves to look and point at all the kids, birds, dogs, etc. If we are running errands or at the mall or whatever, she’s worn.
If we have any more kids, I’ll get a convertible seat from birth. No sense in buying two carseats when one would have worked fine for us. I find that wearing the baby is easier and makes everyone happier (including strangers, because the baby isn’t crying).
April 4th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I would strongly recomend getting a travel system (infant carseat & Stroller) That why when you little one is nappingyou can just lift the carseat out of tha base and right onto the stroller rather than having to wake him up take him out put him in the sling etc. I have the graco cherry blossom travel system and I love it!!! I also have a sling as well but I don’t use it very much at all!!
April 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
We got a travel system because everyone told us it was essential. We found out that it was not essential! It was handy for the first two months, thereafter it was a huge pain. If we have another baby I will get a convertible car seat and use a wrap to carry the baby in. We bought a Britax Marathon when our daughter was 10 months old. I wish we would have started with one, they are 100% better than the Graco Snugride we had. The Britax seats are much better quality and construction and way easier to install. I am not sure I would use the Marathon from birth, we would probably get the Boulevard instead, since it has a body pillow for smaller babies.
April 8th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I love my Baby Bjorn. I wasn’t into the Sling.. but I hear the Moby Wrap is excellent. I had the Lamaze Sling and only used it once or twice. It seemed like my son’s head was too scrunched in it and it made me uncomfortable.
For the carseat and stoller: I am not into the travel combined systems. I first purchased the Eddie Bauer travel system and I didn’t really like it.. the carseat was almost impossible to get my son in and out of because the button was so tight.. and it was a pain loosening and tightening the straps.. so I thought, what if we were in an accident and I had to get him out quickly. I then returned the system.. and bought an Evenflo carseat.. which I love. It’s affordable, too! I know there are expensie good carseats out there.. but I still love my Evenflo.
I then bought the Jeep Terrain Hiking stroller.. which I LOVE. We like to go on hikes and long walks, this stroller is perfect for it. The front wheel can turn or lock into the straight position.. it also has an MP3/PSP plug in station for music. The only drawback is it’s size.. it’s a little big and bulky and I don’t recommend it unless you have an SUV or a larger car with space for it.