Watch Out: How 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel system with car seats offers parents the convenience of a car seat for their infant, as well as a stroller which work together. However they can be costly.
These combos let parents easily transfer a sleepy child from the car to the stroller and reverse the process, without disturbing them up. This is an excellent option for families that are constantly on the move.
Comfort
Travel systems with an infant car seat are a great way to make the transition from car to stroller easy. Contrary to stroller-only systems, all-in-ones usually have an infant car seat as well as a stroller that can be linked, and are suitable for toddlers as well as newborns. Many of the car seats and strollers combos on our list have a bassinet attachment as well which is a safe alternative to a traditional stroller for walks during naptime.
A two-in-one travel system that comes with a car seat will cost more than buying the items separately, but you'll save time and money by purchasing them together. If you decide that the stroller and car seat aren't right for your family later the majority of brands have adaptors that allow you to use the car seat with another stroller.
When looking for a travel set keep in mind that most of these sets include an infant car seat and a stroller that are designed to work together. They are intended to be used in the first year. If you plan to keep the seat after this point, choose a model that features a convertible car seat that can be used by toddlers and has a greater maximum weight.
Some travel systems also feature an additional seat that can serve as a booster for older kids. This is a wonderful feature, but it may not be suitable for your particular lifestyle.
Check out our top picks of car seats and strollers if you're looking for an budget-friendly travel system that can last for several years. Editor-tested favorites like the UPPAbaby PIPA stroller and car seat combination have numerous features that will keep you and your child in a comfortable position. These products have springy all-wheel suspension to smooth the ride and the PIPA car seat comes with an integrated drape canopy to shield a sleepy child. They also have rigid LATCH connectors that can be used with vehicles that do not have a base, making it a perfect choice for families who frequently use ride-sharing services or have two cars.
Convenience
Car seat/stroller combos are great for parents who regularly run out for errands or take their child out on public transportation such as trains and buses. It is easy to transfer your baby's sleeping body from the car to a stroller without disturbing or waking them.
Some of the most effective stroller-car seat combinations can be turned into a double as you have a growing family. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo is an amalgamation of a stroller and infant car seat that can be clicked into position to instantly transform into chariots for two. This is especially important if your car seat is the sole vehicle seat for your baby.
Other stroller-car seat combos may have more complicated conversion procedures. You may need to manually connect the car seat to stroller or strap it to base to secure it. In our testing this method was generally more difficult to master than one-step process of the Doona. It can pose dangerous when you forget or misplace the straps to attach the straps before using the travel system.
While a combo of a stroller and car seat is convenient, you should be aware of whether the stroller and car seat for your infant can work together for as long as you require them to. Most car seat/stroller combination products use rear-facing only infant car seats that are designed to be used until your child is 1. The car seats do not attach to strollers when they're no longer required in the car. Some all-in-one car seat/stroller products such as the Doona, can be used as a toddler car seat with a seat belt booster after your child is no longer in the car seat that was designed for infants, but is too tall to fit into most traditional strollers.
Car seat/stroller combos are ideal for babies through early childhood. Once your child outgrows the infant car seats and you are looking at buying a separate stroller and replacing the travel system with a larger model that can be used by older children and toddlers. Always make sure your infant car seat has been fitted correctly. Do not remove it from your car without first removing the straps.
Safety
The combination of the car seat and stroller allows you to easily transfer infants from the vehicle to a stroller, and vice versa without disturbing or waking them up. This is especially helpful when you're running errands or traveling, says Rothman. To ensure extra safety, select a car seat that is attached to a stroller using an incredibly strong LATCH system or click-on system. This will ensure that the car seat is safe while used and will not fall off or fall off during transport. Car seat and stroller combos that be used with or without a base are also good options for ride-share vehicles.
When shopping for a stroller, make sure you know the weight and age limits of both the car seat as well as the stroller. Most infant car seats that are included in these systems are rear-facing and are only designed for use during the first 12 months of your child's life. These car seats can be transformed to a forward-facing car seat which can either be used in a vehicle, or snapped into a stroller. Stanton says it's crucial to be aware of all labels and directions particularly when it comes time to make sure your child's weight and height requirements of both the car seat and the stroller.
While some parents prefer to buy separate products and design their own travel system, it's not unusual to see companies offer pre-packaged car seat and stroller combination sets. They're usually cheaper than buying the products separately. For example, UPPAbaby's popular Vista stroller that comes with the Mesa infant car seat is a sought-after set. The stroller features a smooth ride with suspension that is all-wheel and springy, and a large basket to hold all your baby's gear. The car seat is low profile and features a SafeCell crumple zone for added protection. The SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to set up. The car seat has an adjustable headrest with four positions, four harness heights and a padded insert to ensure your child's comfort. It is easy to clean, and it folds with one hand.
Style
While it's tempting to purchase a travel system for the convenience of moving your child from stroller to car and back without waking them up, that's not the only reason to look into one. You should also look for a model with a stylish design, which is easy to maneuver, and that has many other features for your child's safety and for your own.
The best travel systems include an infant car seat, stroller, and car seat base, all in one package for a seamless transition from vehicle to street. They usually come with a single-piece infant car seat that snaps easily into a stroller compatible with it and some include a bassinet attachment for strolls to nap (safety research shows that babies sleep best in reclined positions).
Strollers and infant cars seats that are compatible with 2-in-1 travel systems are light, durable, and easy to maneuver and fold. Choose models with rubber tires, a swivel front wheel for urban streets, and a spacious cargo basket that can accommodate many shopping bags. Also, you should consider how compact the car seat and stroller can be folded to make it easier to store them.
Certain travel systems let you replace the included infant car seat with a toddler one when your child outgrows it, which gives you an additional two years of use. That's a great option if you plan to use the car seat for more than one year, or your partner regularly uses ride-sharing services or commutes by train or bus.
The All-in-1 Car Seat and Stroller is a top choice for families who want an all-in-one solution. It's simple to transfer from a car seat to a stroller and back again, with the built-in LATCH system that secures the seat quickly and safely in your car. It's also certified for air travel, so you can board and get off public transport in peace. The All-in-One Car Seat and Stroller can also be converted into a double stroller, allowing you to take your baby on global adventures. pushchairsandprams 's also available in a variety of vibrant colors to complement any wardrobe.