As we discussed in a previous post, one of the more frequent questions for new parents is how to choose the best stroller. When first-time parents look at the number of styles, models, and brands available, it’s easy to see why this can be confusing and stressful.Where you live – city vs. suburbs vs. exurban, how active is your lifestyle – are you a jogger, for example, and the current and future makeup of your family are all important decision criteria (see previous post “Choosing the right stroller for your baby starts with you” for more details). We want our customers to understand all of the options before making their choice, so here is a broad overview of one of the types of strollers that we carry, known as combo-carriers or travel systems.
Travel systems offer a good combination of safety and convenience for newborns.
Travel systems are a common purchase for new parents. A baby travel system is a set that includes a baby stroller, an infant car seat and a car seat base. The infant car seat has a handle that allows it to be easily used as an infant carrier. The car seat base can be seat-belted into a vehicle, then the car seat carrier snaps onto the base for travel, making it easier for the parent to move baby from car to destination all while strapped into the same carrier.
The travel system is particularly handy for newborns and sleeping infants, since it eliminates the need to actually remove the baby from the car seat when placing your child into the stroller. The car seat carrier also snaps onto the travel system stroller frame for added convenience.
Choose your car seat first.
When buying a baby travel system, we recommend that you choose the car seat first. While strollers add convenience, the car seat will keep your new baby safe in the car. All car seats sold in the U.S. must pass the same federal crash tests, but some have extra features that you may find appealing. Some car seats may have extra features that make them easier to install correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-twisting straps. Because proper installation is a key in car seat safety, these installation helpers can add an extra layer of safety for your baby and peace of mind for you.
The most expensive, feature-rich car seat is not safe for your baby if you don't take the time to read the directions and install it properly every time it is used. Check the car seat manual to be sure you can install and use the car seat as it is intended. Can you adjust the harness to secure baby in the car seat? Choose a car seat that you will use according to the instructions.
A good question to ask is “Does the car seat fit your vehicle?”
With so many vehicle seat styles – straight bench, split bench, buckets, and captain’s chairs – not all car seats will fit in every vehicle. Our sales associates will help you test the size and fit of the car seat with your family car. It is essential to find a car seat that can be installed tightly, with the proper angle and less than an inch of side-to-side wiggle. You can narrow down your choices quickly by selecting travel systems with car seats that fit tightly in your vehicle and that you can easily install and use.
Choose your travel system stroller to fit your baby and your car.
Travel system strollers come in all shapes and sizes. You can choose from lightweight strollers, full-size feature-packed strollers and jogging strollers. If you plan to keep the stroller in your vehicle, check to see how well it will fit and how much space is left over. If you prefer a larger stroller, consider where you will use it and whether it will be hard to navigate cramped spaces with a wider stroller. Jogging strollers handle any terrain, but don't always fold as easily for trunk storage.
We offer complete sets, but if can't find a ready-made travel system with a car seat and stroller that you love, you can create your own travel system with separate car seats and strollers. Different brands may not snap together when putting the car seat on top of the stroller, but many parents don't use the travel systems that way. You'll still be able to carry baby in the infant car seat carrier and use the stroller as usual.
Do You Need a Travel System at All?
Some experienced parents say they wouldn't buy another travel system because the strollers are bulkier than they prefer, and were difficult to maneuver and store. Other parents find that they'd rather carry their baby in a backpack carrier or sling than in a stroller or infant car seat so they didn’t really take advantage of the travel system. Obviously, you do need an appropriate car seat for your baby, but a stroller and infant carrier car seat combination isn't required. You may want to buy a car seat now and decide on a separate stroller or baby carrier later.
The most important thing you can do is take your time and think through all of the possibilities before you buy. We’ve seen too many parents buy strollers that aren’t ideal for their needs, and end up buying multiple strollers. By the time their child no longer needs a stroller, they have extras they didn’t use or didn’t really need.
We encourage all of our customers to try the stroller out in the store before purchasing. Our sales associates are trained to help you with the right questions. We’ll even ask you to take the stroller for a walk in the parking lot and practice folding and storing the stroller in your car before purchase to make sure it’s right for you. Our goal in everything we do is to work with you to make the right choice for your personal situation.
