The Ultimate Glossary For Terms Related To 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel set-up 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 expensive.
These combos allow parents to easily move a child asleep from the car to the stroller and in reverse, without disturbing them. This is a great choice for families who spend a lot of time on the go.
Comfort
Travel systems that include a stroller and an infant car seat are a great option to make the transition from car to stroller simple. These are different from stroller-only models because they usually come with an infant car seat and the stroller. They can be used for both infants and older children. Many of the car-and stroller combinations that we have listed include a bassinet and can be used as an alternative to a traditional stroller for walks during naptime.
While a 2 in 1 travel system with car seat could cost more than separate products however, you'll likely save time and money if you buy them as a set. And if you decide later that the car seat and stroller aren't quite right for your family, many manufacturers offer adapters that allow you to use the car seat with a stroller (provided it is tall and weighs the same requirements).
One important thing to remember when you are shopping for a travel system is that these sets usually comprise an infant car seat and a stroller designed to work together, and is intended to be used for the first 12 months. If you intend to keep the car seat and using it beyond this period, look for a model that has a convertible car seat that can also be used as a toddler seat and has a higher weight limit.
Some travel systems come with an additional seat that can be used to help older children. While this is a nice option, it's not a necessity and might not be practical depending on your life style.
Take a look at our top picks of strollers and car seats If you're looking for an affordable travel system that will last for several years. Editor-tested favorites like the UPPAbaby PIPA stroller and car seat combo have many features that will keep your child and you comfortable. These products have springy all-wheel suspension to smooth the ride and the PIPA car seat has a built-in drape canopy for protecting a snoozing child. They also have rigid LATCH connectors that can be used with vehicles without a base making it an ideal option for families who regularly utilize ride-sharing services or two cars.
Convenience
Car seat/stroller combinations are great for parents who regularly run the errands of their children or take them out on public transport such as trains and buses. They let you easily move your sleeping newborn from the car to the stroller without disturbing them or waking them.
A few of the top stroller-car seat combinations can be transformed to a double as you have a growing family. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo is a combination of a stroller and a baby car seat that can be pushed into place to instantly convert them into chariots that can accommodate two. This feature is particularly important if you plan to use the car seat as your baby's only car seat.
Other stroller and car seat combination models have more complicated conversion methods that may require you to manually connect the infant car seat onto the stroller, or use the straps attached to the base to fix it. This method was more difficult to master in our testing than the Doona's one-step conversion. If you forget or lose the straps, it may be a danger to your safety.
While a combination of a car seat and stroller is convenient, you must also consider whether the stroller and infant car seat will work as long as you need them to. The majority of car seat/stroller combos use rear-facing only infant car seats that are designed to be used up until your child turns one. These car seats do not connect to strollers once they're no longer required in the car. Some all-in one car seat/stroller products, like Doona can be used as car seats for toddlers with the seatbelt booster when your child is no longer in the infant car seat, but it is too big to fit into traditional strollers.
The ideal combination is the combination of a stroller and car seat for babies to early childhood. When your child is no longer in the car seats for infants and you are looking at purchasing a stroller that is separate and replacing the travel system with a larger model that can accommodate toddlers and older children. Always make sure your infant car seat has been properly installed. Don't remove it from your car without first untying the straps.
Safety
Car seat and stroller combos allow you to easily move infants from the vehicle to the stroller and back without disturbing them or having to awake them. Rothman says this is particularly useful when you're running errands and traveling. To ensure extra safety, choose a car seat which attaches to a stroller via a rigid LATCH system or click-on system. This will ensure that the car seat is safe when used and won't come loose or fall off during transport. Combinations of car seats and strollers that can be used without or with the base are an excellent option for vehicles with ride-sharing.
When you are looking for a travel system, be sure to check the age and weight limits of both the car seat as well as the stroller. Typically, the infant car seats 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 converted to a forward facing car seat which can either be used in the car or converted into the stroller. It's important to read the labels and follow all instructions with care, says Stanton, especially when it comes to ensuring your child is in the proper weight and height limits for both the car seat as well as the stroller.
While some parents prefer to purchase separate items and build their own travel system, it's not unusual for companies to offer pre-packaged car seats and strollers set-ups. These sets are usually cheaper than buying them separately. For instance, UPPAbaby's Vista stroller that comes with the Mesa infant car seat is an extremely sought-after set. The stroller has smooth riding with springy all-wheel suspension and a large basket to hold all your baby's gear. The car seat is slim and comes with a SafeCell crumple zone for extra protection. The SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to put in. The car seat has an adjustable headrest that can be adjusted in four positions, four harness settings and an insert that is cushioned to ensure the comfort of your child. It is easy to clean and folds in one hand.
Style
While it's tempting to buy a travel system to enjoy the convenience of moving your child from car to stroller and back again without waking them up, that's not the only reason to consider one. You should also consider one that is stylish, maneuvers well, and has a number of other features to make it comfortable for both your child and yourself.
Travel systems that are the most efficient include the infant car stroller, car seat, and stroller base in one box to make it easier for you to transfer from your vehicle to the street. These systems typically include a single car seat that can be easily snapped into a stroller compatible with it. 2 in 1 pram pushchair come with a bassinet for naps (safety studies have proven that babies sleep better when they are in the reclining position).
pushchairs 2 in 1 and infant cars seats that work with 2-in-1 travel systems are lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver and fold. Find models with rubber tires with a swivel wheel on the front for urban streets, and a big cargo basket that can fit several shopping bags. You also want to check how compact the car seat and stroller can be folded for ease of storage.
Some travel systems let you replace the infant car seat included with a toddler car seat when your child has outgrown it. This allows you to enjoy an additional 2 to 3 years of use. This is a great option when you're planning to use the car seat for longer than one year, or if your partner is frequently using ride-share services or commutes via bus or train.
Graco's All-in-One Car Seat and Stroller is a top option for families that want an all-in-one solution. The rigid system built into LATCH lets you easily switch between car seats and strollers and back. It's also certified for air travel, so you can hop on and off public transport with confidence. The All-in-One Car Seat and Stroller can also be converted to a double stroller, which allows you to take your baby on adventures around the world. It is available in a range of vibrant colors that match any outfit.