Which is the best baby stroller/car seat and why?
Tatiana S asked:
I’m trying to decide on a lightweight stroller & convertible car seat or travel system with an infant car seat, and I was just looking for some opinions. thanks!
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I’m trying to decide on a lightweight stroller & convertible car seat or travel system with an infant car seat, and I was just looking for some opinions. thanks!
January 25th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
The best stroller for YOU is the one that has the features you want.
How big is your trunk? Do you want an easy one hand fold or are you more worried about how flat it folds? Do you want your child to have a cup holder in their reach? Do you want a cup holder up top for you? Are you worried about the stroller being practical or do you want a designer one? Do you want a sturdy basket on the bottom that you can load up when you shop or will the basket only be for your diaper bag?
There is no one stroller that is perfect for everyone.
I never understood the whole travel system concept. Strollers can recline back to flat for a newborn, why does your baby need to be in a car seat and in a stroller at the same time? After 3 months your baby is going to want some freedom to move… I wouldn’t buy a travel system… I just don’t see the point.
Car seats also vary by what your personal needs are. Britax usually gets the best safety rating BUT all car seats have to pass the same safety standards to be sold on the market. Do you want an infant seat now and a convertible seat at 8 months? Is the ability to carry the infant seat that big of a deal to make it worth buying 2 car seats? Do you want one that converts and is good from birth-100 lbs? Do you really honestly believe one car seat will last your child 7 years? I don’t. When my daughter turns 3 I plan to get her yet another car seat… they can only take so much wear and tear and toddlers are rough and cause a lot of stains.
So in the end, decide what features are important to you and how long you expect the stuff to last… then compare features online and make the decision for yourself.
January 26th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
What I usually recommend to parents who come in and ask me this question is a Graco Infant Car seat and the Graco Snap and Go. Why? Graco has good quality products without the ridiculously high price tag. If you’re registering, who is going to spend $700 on a stroller for you? Can you afford to pay that much? The Snap and Go is VERY lightweight, and folds down with ease. It is a stroller without all of the heavy, clunky plastic parts. The car seat will attach on and click so you hear that it is on securely. Many Graco infant car seats now go up to 30 or even 32 pounds so you can use them for a while.
By the time the baby is out of the car seat (weight wise or otherwise), you can invest in an umbrella stroller (McLarens are the best…excellent quality). The next step for car seats is a convertible car seat that can go rear facing or forward facing (many also can do booster set positions later on). For this, Britax is the best, and the Evenflo Symphony are a good, cheaper (but still safe) alternative. Some people say that you should keep your little one rear facing longer than the 22 pounds and 1 year that is required by law, if you agree with this sentiment, look for one that suits your preference.
Having said all this, you should really go to the store and play around with the products. See what you think of them and if they will work for you.
I do not under any circumstances reccomend Evenflo, Eddie Bauer, or Combi for strollers. They are VERY lousy in quality. Combi car seats I would be leary of because their strollers are so bad.