Stroller travel system or separate convertible car seat

nboone22

My husband and I are starting to look for car seats and strollers. He likes the travel system for right away since we don't want to always wake the baby to put in a car... But would then have to buy new car seats when she's older.. (Our house needs 3 or at least 3 bases for each of us and the mil) any suggestions on what's the better deal? I'm leaning towards the system since that will grow with her too and then get car seats for front facing when the time comes... 1st pregnancy and I'm a saver and planner... Suggestions?

ambercakes92

I feel like travel systems are the best deal, but I'm a ftm as well. Although... my mother is the one who recommended that I do that (knowing my tight budget), and she's had six!

egraves4

I'm a FTM and was planning on going the travel system route.  My friend has the Britax B-Safe/B-Agile and she loves it.  However, I was gaga for Baby Jogger strollers (but they were out of my price range) so I actually found a used Baby Jogger City Elite off of Craigslist that is in completely perfect condition.  I think if you compare the costs we will be spending at most $20 more (we will be getting a brand new Britax B-safe with the adapter) and will instead be using a stroller worth $430 rather than $200.  I guess what I'm getting at is that if you want brand new, I don't think it's smart to go with anything other than a travel system.  But if you are willing to search and care about having a better stroller, maybe what I did is a better option. 

satuttle1014

I'm going with a travel system, I'm a FTM as well but right now it will work for me. They have some really nice ones out there. Once my LO grows out of the carseat that comes with the travel system I would just buy a different carseat for the car since the stroller holds up to 50lbs in the travel system I picked out. 

marajay6

I have an 11 month old - here is my insight. we went with the Britax b-safe/b-agile system. I believe that this stroller design is near identical to the city select. I find the stroller to be bulky and the basket underneath isn't big enough for our diaper bag. Otherwise, the system works fine.

Infant bucket seats that detach from the base are wonderful and convenient. We just upgraded LO to a convertible that stays in the car full time.

If I were to go back in time, I probably wouldn't get a system. I would consider getting a one of those stroller frames that the car seat snaps in (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005JDOYF0/ref=s9_al_mh_bBI3EB_g75_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-11&pf_rd_r=1BVDZDPS6FGE6GG6QAS3&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=2237065762&pf_rd_i=166842011) for the first 4-5 months.

Then for an older baby and the toddler years, a versatile light weight stroller. I would also want a jogging stroller to use for both exercise and rough terrain.

Parker16772

I am a 2nd time mom and used a chicco keyfit with the travel system for DS1. I liked the travel system but it was only used for a few months and is big and bulky and doesn't even fit in the back on my Tahoe with the 3rd row up. We switched to a lightweight strolled once he was able to sit up.  If I had to go back I would just do an infant seat with a cheaper stroller frame like a snap and go.No need to spend all that money on the travel system. Once your LO outgrows the infant seat you can get rear to front facing convertibles to use until you turn them front facing (which is recommended to be at least two now). 

dragonfly321

You're due in winter- I would strongly consider getting an infant seat- whether you get a travel system or not. Keeping baby covered up and out of the cold is imperative in winter months and doing that is a LOT easier when you can just remove the seat from the base. Having to take newborn baby out of a convertible seat every time you get out of your vehicle just seems like such an inconvenience to me.
Also, if you add the convertible to your registry, you can either get a percentage off of it with your completion OR save some money on it with the money back card from BRU.

ecwk

We are getting the Graco modes travel system. What I love about it is that you can remove the seat part of the stroller so it is just a light frame that the infant seat can snap into. It seems very versatile and has wonderful reviews. I'm also crazy about the design.

Edited to try attach image to show versatility but it won't let me so I'll post below.

ecwk

Graco modes travel system

Pepper6

Definitely go with an infant seat. Newborns sleep a lot, so unless you want to be confined to your house before baby can sit upright, it's a lifesaver to be able to just take the whole carseat with you.

I also have the Britax travel system and while I like it as a whole, it probably would have been a lot easier to use the stroller frame and buy a more compact stroller later. And definitely agree with the under basket being worthless on the stroller. That being said, I love the Britax car seats. Both the infant and now the marathon click tight convertible.

DrillSergeantCat

I'm going with a Graco Fast Action 2.0 travel system because he should be able to use the car seat at least a year and the stroller for a long time. 

2-Step

I would skip the travel system. First of all, my kids were big and by the time they were 5 months old I could not carry them in that car seat anymore so I was buying new carseats almost immediately. Yes the seat goes to 35 pounds, but no one in their right mind is carrying a 20+ pound baby around in that thing, plus they start to look uncomfortable. I actually only know one mom that made it to a year with the infant seat and her baby was tiny at birth. 

The only downside I can see to not having the infant seat is that when you go to restaurants, peoples houses etc it is REALLY nice to have that little container for them to sleep in or set next to your chair for those first months so you aren't always holding them. If you wanted to really invest in good stuff and still have that option you could easily purchase a used infant seat just for taking along and using as a carrier and not a carseat, probably for very cheap. Buying 3 bases and a seat to use for 5-10 months is ridiculous IMO. 

Also, I personally am not a huge fan of the travel system strollers for long term use. What I would recommend is investing in higher end gear and go with the basics. My favorites are Britax convertible carseats and a heavy duty stroller that reclines all the way so you can use it with an infant. I used my BOB right away with both boys without the seat attachment and just used one of those infant positioned inserts with the seat all the way reclined. 

I've had almost every combination - infant seat, travel system, snap n go, convertible, booster, jogging stroller, city mini, umbrella stroller. 

The only ones that have survived the donation pile or craigslist are the infant seat (just because I already have it) and snap n'go, BOB stroller and Britax convertibles. All there rest I felt had worn out by my third or were not ideal for me and kind of just taking up space. This time around I feel like I have it all dialed in.

If you do the infant seat I much prefer the snap n'go frame to a bulky stroller and then get a high end regular stroller/jogging stroller because you will use that for years and years as opposed to the months you will use the infant seat. I had a c-section and most of the travel system strollers I couldn't have lifted during the first two months postpartum. The snap n'go's are super lightweight, have huge baskets and you can get them used in perfect condition for around $35. 

redfallon

Make your own travel system. We had the Baby Jogger City Mini GT with an adapter to use with the Chicco Keyfit 30.

mruda

2-Step said:

The only downside I can see to not having the infant seat is that when you go to restaurants, peoples houses etc it is REALLY nice to have that little container for them to sleep in or set next to your chair for those first months so you aren't always holding them. 

This is why I like the infant car seat route. 

nboone22 said:

(Our house needs 3 or at least 3 bases for each of us and the mil) 

How often would you use each vehicle? Infant seats can go in the car without a base; the base just makes it a lot faster to click the car seat in. I think 3 sounds like a lot of bases, and sounds expensive. However, still cheaper than 3 convertible car seats.

Also, you can go with an infant seat and adapter rather than a travel system. My H and I spent a lot of time looking at different strollers. As much as I didn't love the cost, nothing was as good as the city mini gt for our needs. We tried to like some of the cheaper options but after testing them, decided none compared. We are just going to get the car seat adapter for the infant seat we like. 

egraves4 said:

However, I was gaga for Baby Jogger strollers (but they were out of my price range) so I actually found a used Baby Jogger City Elite off of Craigslist that is in completely perfect condition. 

I also loved the Baby Jogger strollers. We went used on a few other big items (crib, dresser, etc) so decided to register for the stroller. However, will probably checkout craigslist if we don't receive it as a gift. 

jrouge12

Went for the system. The ease of bringing baby to and from car in the middle of winter won me over.

I mean this in a more joking spirit than anything: Having three vehicles to cart baby around and put car seats in seems like a first world problem.

celainev

My SIL tried to convince me to get a convertible car seat right from the get go, but my mom and MIL strongly suggested I go with an infant car seat.

So, we went with the Peg Perego book pop up and the primo viaggio car seat. They are both such good quality and I'm so excited to use them. The car seat snaps into the frame of the stroller for ease of use. And it is extremely easy to fold with one hand. And, well, it's made in Italy.

Yes, they are higher priced, but I know I will get a lot out of both of them, since we are planning on having more kids soon after this one joins us!

Stroller: https://pegperegocanada.com/baby/book-pop-up

Infant Car Seat: https://en.pegperegocanada.com/baby/primo-viaggio-4-35

Gingermom15

We're using an infant seat until he is a little older. I couldn't imagine having a newborn in the dead of winter and waking him up to the cold and snow just to take him into a store. Also, the car seat may have to be approved by your hospital/birth center and convertible seats may not be on their list. They aren't approved for use with mine.

jess9802

DS was a June baby and we went straight to a convertible seat and out of the car used a City Mini stroller (reclines flat for newborns) and a Moby wrap. It worked fine so we are going straight to a convertible again. DS always transitioned well when being taken out of the car. I see so much misuse of infant seats (on top of grocery store carts or flipped over high chairs in restaurants) that I question how convenient the infant seats really are.

ashton2190

We're going with the Chicco keyfit 30 and the liteway plus because it will work with the infant seat and then can be used as a toddler stroller. DH wants to be able to carry her in the car seat, although I'm planning on wearing her as much as I can. I agree about it being nice to keep her in the seat since it'll be winter and you can keep her covered up

nboone22

Thanks for all the opinions... We have a ton to think about

DrillSergeantCat

jess9802 said:

DS was a June baby and we went straight to a convertible seat and out of the car used a City Mini stroller (reclines flat for newborns) and a Moby wrap. It worked fine so we are going straight to a convertible again. DS always transitioned well when being taken out of the car. I see so much misuse of infant seats (on top of grocery store carts or flipped over high chairs in restaurants) that I question how convenient the infant seats really are.

Do you ever say anything to the people with the car seats on top of the cart? I've noticed it a lot lately and I've thought about saying something, but I'm not sure if I should or if it would be seen as mom shaming. 

delujm0

I did the Chicco KeyFit seat with the lightweight lock-in base (can't remember the name) for now, and then will change to a separate lightweight umbrella stroller when LO can sit up unassisted (we'll probably also get a dedicated jogger, likely used), and a convertible car seat when she outgrows the infant seat (probably before one year, as she's in the 95th percentile for length).

 

With the bases, OP, you say your MIL will need one...is she your child care?  If your baby will only be in her car every so often, you can just strap in the infant car seat.  Bases are not required, they just make life easier in cars that the seat will be in frequently.  However, if MIL will be driving around with the baby often, I'd consider if you really need a seat in both your and your husband's cars...I mean it's one thing to buy multiple bases for an infant seat, but once you move up to a convertible seat, bases are no longer a thing - you actually need to buy fully separate seats for every car, and they're not easy to move around.  I'd assess that situation ASAP because I'd want to buy as few convertible seats as possible personally.

missemmawoodhouse

jrouge12 said:

Went for the system. The ease of bringing baby to and from car in the middle of winter won me over.

I mean this in a more joking spirit than anything: Having three vehicles to cart baby around and put car seats in seems like a first world problem.

Really? Because in some houses, both spouses have to work and sometimes a grandparent helps with pick ups when parents are stuck at work.

redfallon

jess9802 said:

DS was a June baby and we went straight to a convertible seat and out of the car used a City Mini stroller (reclines flat for newborns) and a Moby wrap. It worked fine so we are going straight to a convertible again. DS always transitioned well when being taken out of the car. I see so much misuse of infant seats (on top of grocery store carts or flipped over high chairs in restaurants) that I question how convenient the infant seats really are.

I don't see what correlation the misuse of them has to do with convenience. :-/

I've never put an infant seat on the top of a grocery cart or on an upside-down high chair. I still find them very convenient. Also, I wanted to babywear with my daughter, but she had an epic meltdown any time I tried it until she was closer to 2 or 3 months old. I am still going to try to babywear with the new LO, but am realistic in my expectations this time that it may not happen.

DrillSergeantCat

redfallon said:

I don't see what correlation the misuse of them has to do with convenience. :-/ 

I've never put an infant seat on the top of a grocery cart or on an upside-down high chair. I still find them very convenient. Also, I wanted to babywear with my daughter, but she had an epic meltdown any time I tried it until she was closer to 2 or 3 months old. I am still going to try to babywear with the new LO, but am realistic in my expectations this time that it may not happen.

Maybe she means that because they're so convenient lends itself to misuse? 

edited for words

mruda

missemmawoodhouse said:

Went for the system. The ease of bringing baby to and from car in the middle of winter won me over. I mean this in a more joking spirit than anything: Having three vehicles to cart baby around and put car seats in seems like a first world problem.

Really? Because in some houses, both spouses have to work and sometimes a grandparent helps with pick ups when parents are stuck at work.

If grandparents are only picking up a child sometimes, they don't need a base. Infant seats can strap into the car safely without the base. The base just allows for faster access. It is not common that a child will be in 3 cars that frequently that all 3 cars need a base. 

redfallon

DrillSergeantCat said:

redfallon said:

I don't see what correlation the misuse of them has to do with convenience. :-/ 

I've never put an infant seat on the top of a grocery cart or on an upside-down high chair. I still find them very convenient. Also, I wanted to babywear with my daughter, but she had an epic meltdown any time I tried it until she was closer to 2 or 3 months old. I am still going to try to babywear with the new LO, but am realistic in my expectations this time that it may not happen.

Maybe she means that because they're so convenient lends itself to misuse? 

edited for words

I suppose so.

jess9802

redfallon said:

jess9802 said:

DS was a June baby and we went straight to a convertible seat and out of the car used a City Mini stroller (reclines flat for newborns) and a Moby wrap. It worked fine so we are going straight to a convertible again. DS always transitioned well when being taken out of the car. I see so much misuse of infant seats (on top of grocery store carts or flipped over high chairs in restaurants) that I question how convenient the infant seats really are.

I don't see what correlation the misuse of them has to do with convenience. :-/

I've never put an infant seat on the top of a grocery cart or on an upside-down high chair. I still find them very convenient. Also, I wanted to babywear with my daughter, but she had an epic meltdown any time I tried it until she was closer to 2 or 3 months old. I am still going to try to babywear with the new LO, but am realistic in my expectations this time that it may not happen.

Just my opinion, of course, but I think if the people I see misusing infant car seats were informed how dangerous these types of practices are, they might not find the infant seat as convenient as they do. It's harder to do a full grocery run if the baby is in the cart rather than on top. 

I realize I'm in the minority by using a convertible from birth and I honestly don't really care what other people do, but I never found not having an infant seat inconvenient.

jonesl12

This is an honest question because I really have no idea... If you don't use a infant carrier type seat what do you do when you go out to eat or travel ? Do you just bring a stroller or hold the baby the whole time. What if baby is sleeping and you arrive to where you are going? Just wake them up and move them ?
I'm thinking about a convertible seat but have no idea what to do with baby when it's time to get out of the car other than a stroller or one of those baby carriers you wear.

jess9802

jonesl12 said:

This is an honest question because I really have no idea... If you don't use a infant carrier type seat what do you do when you go out to eat or travel ? Do you just bring a stroller or hold the baby the whole time. What if baby is sleeping and you arrive to where you are going? Just wake them up and move them ? I'm thinking about a convertible seat but have no idea what to do with baby when it's time to get out of the car other than a stroller or one of those baby carriers you wear.

Those are pretty much your options. We had a Moby wrap that I used when he was pretty little and it worked well, especially since it left both of my hands free. We also used a stroller that reclined flat so it could be used with newborns. When he was in the super-sleepy newborn stage he transitioned to and from the car seat just fine and would fall back asleep quickly. Once he was past that stage he stopped sleeping in the car, really (and to this day rarely sleeps in the car, unlike my stepson). That wasn't a reason we skipped the convertible - I was expecting DS to be a big baby and figured he would outgrow the infant seat quickly or that it would become too heavy to carry within a matter of months. Joke was on me as he barely cleared 20 lbs by his first birthday. Nonetheless the convertible worked fine for our lifestyle, but YMMV.