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baby trend travel system jogging stroller image
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I'm wanting a stroller that fits an infant car seat as well as the ability to convert for a todder. Also, I'm hoping to keep it under $250 and NOT a travel system. Any thoughts or suggestions would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks!
Sorry, I've read in multiple places that travel systems are mass produced junk and heavy.
Answer
I think the best option is to think out of the box actually. Get a baby wrap or carrier (like the Ergo or Moby Wrap) and wear your baby the first few months until they are sitting up. Once they sit on their own, then every stroller will work with them! If you already have a car seat, this is by far the best option.
Otherwise I'm not sure of what you're asking. If the stroller fits an infant car seat then it's going to be a travel system stroller even if you buy the stroller separately. Your newborn should, by SIDS standards, be laying flat when they're not in your arms until they are a few months old to sitting up age. Before then, their chin tilts forward and that can cause breathing problems. Using a car seat in the car is the safest place for a baby, but out of the car the car seat isn't a great riding spot.
So strollers that come to mind. When I say they fit seats, I mean I remember their user-manual saying that they fit more than one type of seat, you'll have to look up if your seat will fit.
-The Chicco Stroller. Pros: It fits car seats, and it lays flat so you can use it as a flat-laying newborn stroller. You can usually find it cheap on craigslist used and they don't have any recalls that I remember. Cons: Not as hard to push as the Graco travel systems, it's still pretty hard to push especially through sand or up and down curbs/stairs. Also it's more expensive if bought new ($179 without the car seat.)
-Baby Trend 3 wheel jogging/all-terrain stroller. Pros: It fits car seats. Under $100. Higher weight limit and very maneuverable for trail, park, etc use. Cons: It doesn't lay entirely flat... mine says that 4 months up is approved, but you don't want to use it for running until they're 6 months plus. They have a long profile so it's not as great in a store with tight aisles.
-Graco Quatro Tour Deluxe or something like that. Pros: It lays completely flat and fits car seats. Is under $250 even as a travel system. I've found the stroller alone in all sorts of second-hand stores and places. :) Cons: Very hard to push through anything other than on mall floors.
-Britax B-Agile. Pros: Under $200, goes to 55lbs, and I've had good experiences with it. Cons: you have to buy an adapter bar for use with other car seats besides their brand, which is $40, but that STILL comes under $250 with some of the sales going on right now at Target and Amazon. Without a car seat you have to wait until baby is 6 months plus.
Add: I want to say, I like the design of that First Years stroller that was the last one the previous poster gave. There have been studies showing that a baby facing mom in a stroller for the first few years will have better verbal and social skills, more likely to smile, more likely to sleep during a walk, than a baby facing away. So it's a very nice design in that it lets you chose which way to face your baby.
I think the best option is to think out of the box actually. Get a baby wrap or carrier (like the Ergo or Moby Wrap) and wear your baby the first few months until they are sitting up. Once they sit on their own, then every stroller will work with them! If you already have a car seat, this is by far the best option.
Otherwise I'm not sure of what you're asking. If the stroller fits an infant car seat then it's going to be a travel system stroller even if you buy the stroller separately. Your newborn should, by SIDS standards, be laying flat when they're not in your arms until they are a few months old to sitting up age. Before then, their chin tilts forward and that can cause breathing problems. Using a car seat in the car is the safest place for a baby, but out of the car the car seat isn't a great riding spot.
So strollers that come to mind. When I say they fit seats, I mean I remember their user-manual saying that they fit more than one type of seat, you'll have to look up if your seat will fit.
-The Chicco Stroller. Pros: It fits car seats, and it lays flat so you can use it as a flat-laying newborn stroller. You can usually find it cheap on craigslist used and they don't have any recalls that I remember. Cons: Not as hard to push as the Graco travel systems, it's still pretty hard to push especially through sand or up and down curbs/stairs. Also it's more expensive if bought new ($179 without the car seat.)
-Baby Trend 3 wheel jogging/all-terrain stroller. Pros: It fits car seats. Under $100. Higher weight limit and very maneuverable for trail, park, etc use. Cons: It doesn't lay entirely flat... mine says that 4 months up is approved, but you don't want to use it for running until they're 6 months plus. They have a long profile so it's not as great in a store with tight aisles.
-Graco Quatro Tour Deluxe or something like that. Pros: It lays completely flat and fits car seats. Is under $250 even as a travel system. I've found the stroller alone in all sorts of second-hand stores and places. :) Cons: Very hard to push through anything other than on mall floors.
-Britax B-Agile. Pros: Under $200, goes to 55lbs, and I've had good experiences with it. Cons: you have to buy an adapter bar for use with other car seats besides their brand, which is $40, but that STILL comes under $250 with some of the sales going on right now at Target and Amazon. Without a car seat you have to wait until baby is 6 months plus.
Add: I want to say, I like the design of that First Years stroller that was the last one the previous poster gave. There have been studies showing that a baby facing mom in a stroller for the first few years will have better verbal and social skills, more likely to smile, more likely to sleep during a walk, than a baby facing away. So it's a very nice design in that it lets you chose which way to face your baby.
Which stroller/ jogger/ travel system would you recommend for a first time mom?
LondonLou
I have purchased only nursery furniture, clothes and a few toys so far, I am now 29 weeks and it is time to start thinking about baby carriers, transport systems and baby gear but the choice out there is daunting. I know that in a recent crash test on baby car seats they found baby trend and graco to be the safest car seats and bases so thatâs were I think I will start, we need a baby car seat! I was also thinking that I would be carrying my baby in one of those baby Bjorn carriers mostly but not sure if the active or the original is best. Also my Mom is flying in from England for 3 months to help so I want some kind of stroller for her to use as I cant see her using the baby Bjorn. My husband says that if we get a jogger that he will use it to jog on the weekends but I am not sure if they are too bulky for everyday use and at the end of the day when my mom goes home I will ultimately be the one getting it in and out the car and using it as he grows. I canât afford to get one of each
I need advice on the most practical yet safe baby gear. I also need to know if I need to by all this stuff before he is born, my husband seems to think that other than the car seat the rest can wait until our son is born then we can try him out in them but I would prefer to have it on hand before hand. Any advice?
Answer
With so many choices out there it can be confusing trying to figure out what stroller or car seat to buy. My suggestion is to look aroundf or what you feel most comfortable with. Here are a few good things to look for in each item to make sure you get what you really want:
Stroller- Look for these things:
does it fold compactly and easily- with one hand? Can you adjust the handles height if multiple people will be using it ( at 5 ft 1 my needs are very different than my husbands)? can you use it as a car seat combo ( like Graco products)? Do you want a lightweight, mid sized or super delux stroller? Look at the way the child gets strapped into the stroller- is it a five point harness? does it turn easily and can you manage it with one hand not just both?
Car Seats- Obviously safety comes first in this category and it'll depend on if you want an infant seat ( generally 5- 20 lbs.or so)- or a convertable seat ( 5-60 or more lbs.) The advantages of an infant seat are that you can easily take it with you inside where as the convertable seat stays in the car at all times.
Things to think about with a car seat: Take a look at how easily you can buckle the five point harness - is it hard to open and clip? Do the straps adjust easily to make them loose or tight? Some you have to pull apart the whole seat -Will it be easy for you to take your child in and out of the seat - think rainy day here! And the big thing is to test it in your own car! Every car seat fits differently in different cars. What fits in my SUV doesn't work in our mid sized car! Many places will allow you to give them your drivers id and test the seat in your car before you purchase... Babies R Us does this for sure!
My personal favorites from experience are:
Graco Snug Ride Infant Car seat- comes in so many patterns now and is easy to get in and out of the car - always has had a good safety rating - we used them for both children and were very happy with them. You can even purchase an extra base for a second car so it's easier!
Britax on the high end for a convertable car seat- we have the Marathon and LOVE IT- In my opinion it was worth every penny! Easy to instal with the lock off clip once you chnage to forward facing ( 1 year and at laest 20 lbs.)- it stays in the car tightly forward facing - and easy adjustment of straps- plus GREAT safety ratings! I found it easy to use as rear facing seat ytoo - although the placement of the adjustment to loosen the straps was harder in that position - but not awful.
We have a second car seat too- the Graco Safe Seat which I am pleased with as well - it's easy to use and also at a lesser cost has the seat belt lock off clip that keeps it snug against the seat- but this car seat would be the second after an infant seat becuase it is only forward facing.
Strollers - We had a graco stroller for my first daughter that lasted years - great durability, so I can't say a bad thing about Graco. I also have a new Peg Perego Pliko and LOVE it - it folds compactly - it's easy to fold and has plenty of room. My mom has the Combi Cosmo Stroller- only about $60 and it is great- we used it on vacation and I was very pleased - it's a very light weight and compact stroller. Folds so small you won't believe it!
My experience with a jogging stroller is to purchase one that has a front wheel that swivels- I had one that did not and it is extremely difficult to turn or use around corners, etc.. I got rid of it quickly! it is not condusive to shopping or small spaceswithout that feature at all!
Carriers- so many choices too- I useda sling carrier for a while- then wentto the baby bjorn- look online though and search baby carriers- you can get many at better prices than in the stores- and there are lots of choices out there - everything from moby wraps and mei teis to hotslings, etc...
Good luck & have fun shopping!
With so many choices out there it can be confusing trying to figure out what stroller or car seat to buy. My suggestion is to look aroundf or what you feel most comfortable with. Here are a few good things to look for in each item to make sure you get what you really want:
Stroller- Look for these things:
does it fold compactly and easily- with one hand? Can you adjust the handles height if multiple people will be using it ( at 5 ft 1 my needs are very different than my husbands)? can you use it as a car seat combo ( like Graco products)? Do you want a lightweight, mid sized or super delux stroller? Look at the way the child gets strapped into the stroller- is it a five point harness? does it turn easily and can you manage it with one hand not just both?
Car Seats- Obviously safety comes first in this category and it'll depend on if you want an infant seat ( generally 5- 20 lbs.or so)- or a convertable seat ( 5-60 or more lbs.) The advantages of an infant seat are that you can easily take it with you inside where as the convertable seat stays in the car at all times.
Things to think about with a car seat: Take a look at how easily you can buckle the five point harness - is it hard to open and clip? Do the straps adjust easily to make them loose or tight? Some you have to pull apart the whole seat -Will it be easy for you to take your child in and out of the seat - think rainy day here! And the big thing is to test it in your own car! Every car seat fits differently in different cars. What fits in my SUV doesn't work in our mid sized car! Many places will allow you to give them your drivers id and test the seat in your car before you purchase... Babies R Us does this for sure!
My personal favorites from experience are:
Graco Snug Ride Infant Car seat- comes in so many patterns now and is easy to get in and out of the car - always has had a good safety rating - we used them for both children and were very happy with them. You can even purchase an extra base for a second car so it's easier!
Britax on the high end for a convertable car seat- we have the Marathon and LOVE IT- In my opinion it was worth every penny! Easy to instal with the lock off clip once you chnage to forward facing ( 1 year and at laest 20 lbs.)- it stays in the car tightly forward facing - and easy adjustment of straps- plus GREAT safety ratings! I found it easy to use as rear facing seat ytoo - although the placement of the adjustment to loosen the straps was harder in that position - but not awful.
We have a second car seat too- the Graco Safe Seat which I am pleased with as well - it's easy to use and also at a lesser cost has the seat belt lock off clip that keeps it snug against the seat- but this car seat would be the second after an infant seat becuase it is only forward facing.
Strollers - We had a graco stroller for my first daughter that lasted years - great durability, so I can't say a bad thing about Graco. I also have a new Peg Perego Pliko and LOVE it - it folds compactly - it's easy to fold and has plenty of room. My mom has the Combi Cosmo Stroller- only about $60 and it is great- we used it on vacation and I was very pleased - it's a very light weight and compact stroller. Folds so small you won't believe it!
My experience with a jogging stroller is to purchase one that has a front wheel that swivels- I had one that did not and it is extremely difficult to turn or use around corners, etc.. I got rid of it quickly! it is not condusive to shopping or small spaceswithout that feature at all!
Carriers- so many choices too- I useda sling carrier for a while- then wentto the baby bjorn- look online though and search baby carriers- you can get many at better prices than in the stores- and there are lots of choices out there - everything from moby wraps and mei teis to hotslings, etc...
Good luck & have fun shopping!
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