10 Healthy 2 In 1 Stroller Car Seat Habits
Car Seat and Stroller Combos The most effective car seat stroller combos are so simple to attach that it almost feels like they do it themselves. “Look for the base and the carrier that click together easily,” advises Stanton. This will reduce the risk of mistakes that could occur during installation and detachment. Doona is one option that allows you to accomplish this. It easily converts from a car seat to a stroller, and it lets you free up space in your trunk. Online reviews have noted that it feels sturdy, but they also love its user-friendliness and functionality. Easy to Assemble Parents who don't want to change between strollers and car seats often find a combination of both appealing. It's also a great option for parents who use rides or public transportation frequently and who switch caregivers. “These are a single product and the wheels are connected to the car seat, meaning they're more easily portable,” says Stanton. However, she notes that it's crucial to ensure that your car seat is securely secured when you use it with the travel system. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and your vehicle owner's manual to ensure a secure fit, she says. In our tests, we found that the best stroller-car seat combinations have a simple click-in connection, which requires little effort beyond moving the stroller from one location to the next. These models scored better than those with more complex connections, since they require less pressure and provide fewer opportunities for mistakes (intentional or accidental). For instance, we love that the UPPAbaby Vista Combo has a simple, drop-in attachment that requires no straps—and that there's an indicator on the base of the car seat that indicates when it's properly leveled. Similar to the Doona All-in One Infant Car Seat Stroller is simple to set up and move from vehicle to stroller. It's a seamless change that frees up trunk space for shopping and errands. It also has a swivel steering wheel in the front, which allows for excellent mobility even when the seat attached. Another alternative is Britax B Lively & B Safe Gen2 Travel System. It features an elongated chassis that is springy and an enormous one-hand fold chassis for easy storage. It has a large basket as well as plenty of cups to hold snacks, drinks and baby gear. The cushioned seat makes it ideal for long journeys and the smooth, tagless knit fabric can be machine washed. It's FAA-approved and comes with a safety harness that locks at or below the shoulders of your baby and includes a SafeCell crumple zone that protects your child in the event of an accident. A good travel system should also be simple to push. Our top picks feature rubber tires and a single, swivel wheel on the front for navigating busy sidewalks and streets. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo, the BOB Alterrain Pro, and the Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 Combo all glide effortlessly and come with useful features, such as one-hand braking and a spacious storage basket. Easy to store Car seat stroller combinations are a great option for parents who want to keep their baby as comfortable as they can, whether they're doing errands or going on an extended family trip. Stroller-car seat combos are simpler to move around than separate items, and a number of models have convenient features that distinguish them from other strollers. It is important to note that the car seat and stroller must be compatible to work together. The car seat manufacturer must provide guidelines for strollers that are compatible with their products. A quick search on the internet can help you narrow your choices. Some strollers and carseats have an immediate attachment that snaps in place without the need for additional straps or complicated assembly. This kind of simple attachment is a major selling point for families that frequently utilize public transportation or ride-share vehicles. The Doona is a good example. It is an FAA-approved infant car seat that can be converted into a stroller at the click of a button. This is a great time-saver and lets you avoid having to check your stroller's gate on planes (assuming you've purchased an airline chair for your baby) or to get in and out of taxis. Other stroller-car-seat combos such as the Nuna TrVL let parents remove the infant car seat from the stroller base and fold it into a compact package which fits inside the trunk. This is a fantastic feature for families with busy schedules and the stroller has a sleek design with high-end fabrics and smart touches, like a built-in drape canopy that can protect a sleepy baby. The ideal 2 in 1, stroller/car seat combination for your family depends on your lifestyle, plans for growth and your budget. The most affordable options are likely to be frame strollers that fit in a car seat and have the smallest amount of space. On the other hand, higher-end combos may include a toddler seat or twin strollers, and include more advanced features. Either way you can be sure that the stroller and car seat will meet the highest safety standards. Easy to Carry Car seat/stroller combos are a great choice for families who are looking to avoid the hassle of gate-checking an infant car seat when flying, and they're also perfect for those who utilize public transportation and ride-shares frequently. These strollers and car seats are easy to transport and maneuver in a hurry and are perfect for parents who want their hands free when traveling with their kids. Choose a light and compact 2 in 1 stroller/car seat. These models tend to move more smoothly, which could make them easier to push through different terrains. The smaller frames allow for easier placement of the car seat into a trunk or the back of a car. Many of the most sought-after and highly rated car seat/stroller combos are lightweight, compact and have wheels that fold to make it easy to store. For example, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is an easy-to-use seat that converts from a five-point harness that is rear-facing to a booster for kids who are no longer in an infant carrier. It's light (12 pounds) and has LATCH straps that are simple to use. Other 2 in 1 stroller car seats include the Doona that is unique because it's a single piece of equipment that converts from a rear-facing infant car seat to a stroller with just a few clicks. This lets you skip the step of getting your car seat removed from its base, and also makes it easier for you to navigate stairs or get in and out taxis without having the car seat in the. Doonas are a fantastic budget-friendly choice, especially for new parents. It's cheaper than a year of gym membership, and provides parents with peace of mind knowing their child is safe traveling. Many families choose a two-piece car seat/stroller system if they're set on an infant carrier from a certain brand or are planning to have several children. If that's the scenario, be sure to review the specifications of the product to ensure that the stroller you choose and car seat will work in tandem. You may want to consider purchasing an adapter to fit your preferred combination. Easy to Fold Car seat and stroller combos are an excellent choice for parents looking for a single piece of baby gear which can perform multiple functions. They are able to effortlessly switch from a car seat to a stroller, and back again, and they're usually easier to maneuver than two-piece travel systems. Stanton says that they are made to be lighter and more portable. “They have a lot less moving parts, which means they're easier to fold, carry and use.” These strollers and car seats for infants are also lighter than the two-piece options and are easily transported in small trunks. They also come with more space for cargo and more convenient features like sun shades and cup holders. Some models have a swivel wheel at the front, which is ideal for navigating busy sidewalks and stores. Some brands, like Doona offer an all-in-one infant stroller and car seat. These can be particularly helpful for parents who plan to use rideshares or public transportation, or who switch between caregivers often. This model is essentially an rear-facing car seat with wheels. The wheels lower to make an infant stroller when you decide to use it. Other brands, like the Evenflo Shyft DualRide, allow you to click on the car seat and fold it up into the shape of a stroller. This model is not as sleek as Doona however, you can remove the car seat without needing to click into its base. Consider whether 2 in 1 pram stroller and infant car seat combination you're considering fits your preferred brand of car seat. If the stroller and infant car seat are compatible, then you can anticipate a longer-lasting product as it will work with your child even after they have outgrown the infant car seats. However, it's important to know that certain stroller and car seat combos aren't performing well in our tests of ease-of-use. This could be because of a design which makes it difficult to navigate stairs or because the weight and size of the stroller/car seat could make it harder to push. In either case, it's worth checking through our reviews to find the best solution for you.