When information technology comes to traveling with a baby — whether information technology's a large route trip or only a few quick errands effectually town — convenience is everything. That'due south where a travel organization stroller comes in handy: These car seat-stroller combos make getting from signal A to indicate B with your little 1 so much easier. Not to mention, travel systems let you knock two big items off your babe checklist with one swipe of your credit card (and you tin can often save money by purchasing both at once).
What is a travel system stroller?
A travel organization is basically a full-size, stand-lone stroller and a compatible infant automobile seat that clips into the stroller when you're on foot or into the car when you're on (big) wheels. Machine seat-stroller combos allow yous travel with baby from infancy right upward through the toddler years.
Not only do travel system strollers brand traveling with baby easier, they can also exist a smart mode to salve money (kind of similar when you buy a vacation package instead of paying for airfare and hotel separately).
Not in love with a motorcar seat and stroller from the same make? That'due south okay! You lot can buy the verbal stroller you want, the exact car seat you desire and tin can often get an adapter to make them work together.
Is a travel system stroller right for my babe?
A travel system stroller allows yous to switch your babe from car to stroller easily. Well-nigh seats in infant stroller travel systems recline all the style to safely hold the car seat (with your baby tucked inside). Go along in mind that fifty-fifty though your little one is reclined, a automobile seat isn't a safe sleeping space. If your little one starts snoozing in a auto seat, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that you motion your baby to a business firm sleep surface on her back ASAP. Once your baby is big enough, he tin sit in the stroller equally is (without the machine seat). If y'all've already invested in a full-size stroller, or you accept a universal automobile seat carrier (a bare-bones frame with wheels that a car seat snaps into), a travel system isn't necessary.
Withal, although a travel system can come up in handy, there are some downsides:
- The car seats that come in travel organisation strollers are for infants only (read: your baby will abound out of them fairly quickly). So, yous'll often need to invest in a toddler machine seat afterward, in addition to the travel organization. However, an infant stroller travel system withal provides the just stroller you lot'll ever need. Once your infant outgrows the infant motorcar seat, the stand up-alone stroller goes solo for the long haul.
- Fifty-fifty the best travel system stroller (read: the lightest-weight models) can be bulky, making it tough to load into and out of your trunk.
- Infant stroller travel systems may non be good for dirt and gravel roads, since they're heavier than most strollers and tougher to push on uneven surfaces. They can also be tight squeezes through narrower grocery-shop aisles.
- You can only apply the car seat that comes with the stroller (and not all companies sell actress auto seat bases separately from the travel system). So if y'all have more than than one car, you'll demand to buy a second automobile seat if you don't want to unhook and reattach the one base of operations the stroller comes with.
How to use a travel stroller system safely
Take these steps to ensure that your fiddling one's secure:
- As you put the system together, be sure to include all the pieces. There may be a lot of them, simply every last one has a purpose.
- Practice clipping the automobile seat into the stroller and unclipping information technology again before your baby's sitting in information technology (so y'all're a pro before y'all add together a wee wiggler to the mix). One time your baby'southward in the car seat, gently milkshake the handle to make sure the seat'south fully attached to the stroller before you striking the road.
- Check the car seat'south expiration appointment. Sounds odd, just they do take these, most effectually six years from the time the seat hits the shop. And for good reason: Older models might not have the advantage of the latest safety features. It's also important to notation that plastic and webbing wear out and may not perform equally expected if your car seat is by its expiration date. So check the transmission to brand sure your seat doesn't expire before your infant grows out of it.
- Await for a label that reads "This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. This restraint is certified for use in all motor vehicles and shipping." This label means the seat has passed rigorous federal condom standards.
- Ever remember that baby automobile seats should not be used for routine sleep, according to the AAP. The safest sleep position for a babe is flat on her dorsum.
Different types of travel system strollers
At their core, travel system strollers have a few things in common: They allow you lot to nestle infant's machine seat right within and wheel away. Merely at that place are a few dissimilar types out there:
- Jumpsuit travel system strollers. These convert the auto seat into the stroller, vs. having a split up stroller.
- Two-piece travel system strollers. Most stroller systems are designed this style, with a separate automobile seat and stroller that work together.
- Adjustable travel organization strollers. These stroller systems allow y'all to change the height for your comfort — and baby's.
- 2-seat travel system strollers. While many travel stroller systems are designed for 1 car seat, some can fit 2 to accommodate twins.
How to choose the right travel stroller system
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right travel stroller system for you:
- Extra features. Some travel arrangement strollers are basic, and focused on getting baby from point A to point B; others have additional features, like cup holders and special suspension systems for a polish ride.
- Storage. If you tend to tote a lot of gear with you, yous'll want to expect for a travel stroller organization that can handle your stuff, too.
- Toll. Travel organization strollers aren't cheap in full general, just there is a wide price range with these. Depending on your needs, more expensive doesn't ever mean improve.
- Number of children. If yous take multiples, yous'll need a travel stroller organization that can handle more than one infant at a time.
How we fabricated our picks for the best travel stroller systems
Several factors influenced What to Expect's choice of the best travel stroller systems: Offset, nosotros ensured that the auto seats and strollers met the guidelines to a higher place, and federal constabulary requires that all carriages and strollers follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety guidelines and that car seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
From there, our editorial squad conducted research to focus on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of utilize for travel system strollers. We also sought feedback from pediatricians and other relevant experts. Finally, the What to Wait staff and contributors road-test products at habitation with our own families, and nosotros asked real parents in the What to Await community nearly the travel systems they use and love the most.
If y'all think a travel system is right for yous, check out a few of our favorite options beneath.