Those who already have kids...

mrs.cam · October 2009

So obviously I'm getting way ahead of myself at this point but I'm curious!

I've been looking at strollers and I am having a hard time figuring out what I like/want. I really like the pram/toddler strollers (the kind that convert?) like the Bumbleride Queen B rather than a traditional travel system. Now it does have an attachment for an infant carseat but that looks like a pain in the a$$ and it is an extra you have to buy/install.

So my question is...do you really need to snap the infant seat into a stroller a la travel system? Or couldn't I just put baby into the pram? Obviously I'd still have the infant car seat so I could take the sleeping baby out of the car...

So travel system... do you really need it, like it, or use it?

radiokate · October 2009

I LOVE my travel system, and I wouldn't have it any other way. They are so sleepy early on, I think it is an absolute must to be able to transport them everywhere in the carrier without having to get them up and move them. I honestly don't get how people do it otherwise.

FWIW, it's just a Gracco, not too pricey, and it works great!

Qmommy · October 2009

You're going to spend close to $500 on a stroller?

mrsfrank · October 2009

personally, I think snapping the car seat in a stroller is a must have! We live in OH and so it's cold from Oct-May and the thought of taking a baby out of the seat, in the stroller and back in would be a pain in the butt. I had DS in his infant seat for about 6 months and that whole time I snapped it in. We are now looking for a double stroller that I can snap the infant seat in and room for DS

mrs.cam · October 2009

sure! I budgeted about $700 actually... It is not about price though, just what works best.

Qmommy · October 2009

mrs.cam:
sure! I budgeted about $700 actually... It is not about price though, just what works best.

wow.

EMR11 · October 2009

Personally I agree with previous posters. Having a car seat that snaps right into your stoller to me is a necessity!! Its so nice to not disturb them when they are sleeping and it is SO easy when your running into a store or something. I have the Chicco travel system and I love it. Sometimes I wish I had a "cooler" stroller, because I must admit, I get stroller envy

However, the travel system is just so practical I wouldn't do it any other way.

kdiguise · October 2009

We have a Graco travel system and it cost about $100-$150. It was the carseat/base and the stroller. It's nice because you can just pop the carseat off of the base and pop it on the stroller. In my experience, it is a must to be able to transport without them waking up!

EMR11 · October 2009

$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Raffes484 · October 2009

I prefer our travel system, or anything that I can snap the carseat into for that matter. I would have hated waking a sleeping baby to put him or her into a stroller, it was much easier just to move the infant seat!

AutumnGirl07 · October 2009

FWIW... DD hated being in the car seat and screamed the entire time. If we could get her to fall asleep while driving, she woke up immediately if we took her infant car seat out of the car, so having an entire travel system would have been a complete waste of money. If DD was awake, she wanted to be worn. I DO own every wrap and sling known to mankind.

mrs.cam · October 2009

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

mleah · October 2009

I have 3 strollers. ?1st I bought a peg preggo (think I misspelled that) travel system. ?Cost around $300 and I loved it. ?Second I got a small stroller for when she got bigger (cheaper, maybe around $50) third I needed a double stroller so I got a sit and stand (around $400). ?Just remember what ever you get, changes are your needs will change and you'll need to get another. ?But I agree with PP, travel system are the BEST for young children!!!

Raffes484 · October 2009

mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

That's awesome that you can afford to be that extravagant with a stroller, but I'd rather only spend $100 and use the other $600 to buy over 3000 diapers.

mrsjenni · October 2009

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't waste my money on an expensive travel system. I'd buy a good infant car seat (which came with our Chicco travel system) and then a Snap and Go. DS moved up to an umbrella stroller when he was 4 months old, so we barely used the big bulky stroller that came with our travel system.

Although, I do love my Chicco Courtina travel system, I would just opt for a good umbrella stroller (We LOVE our Maclaren Triumph) and a snap & go.

Tori120408 · October 2009

Seriously ladies??? This question of hers was not about price, and who are we to judge!?

With both of my pregnancies I had a travel system and loved it. It is perfect, you can let that sleeping baby sleep! Not to mention looking at your baby while on walks instead of having them face away from you and also they are at arms reach just incase they become fussy or what not

Good luck and happy shopping!

butterbeansmama · October 2009

We have a travel system and I LOVED it. I think it made things so much easier than anything else would have.

whitsim · October 2009

We had a Graco carseat in stroller set that we bought from Target. The carseat was great and really grew with my daughter, and it was nice to have both the overhang shield of the seat and the stroller when there was inclimate weather and nasty winds. It's actually quite easy to snap in and out, and I found the Graco to be really affordable. Good luck with your search

mrsjenni · October 2009

mrs.cam:
EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!
Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

I'm sure a lot of people can afford it, but don't want to waste the money. Just b/c it's expensive, doesn't mean it's the best. I'm sure once you research these things, you might change your mind!

mrsfrank · October 2009

Raffes484:
mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

That's awesome that you can afford to be that extravagant with a stroller, but I'd rather only spend $100 and use the other $600 to buy over 3000 diapers.

OMG agreed, the cost of diapers is CRAZY

Mike's Wife · October 2009

Qmommy:
You're going to spend close to $500 on a stroller?

Really? It's her money and she can spend it however which way she wants.

mrs.cam · October 2009

Raffes484:
mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

That's awesome that you can afford to be that extravagant with a stroller, but I'd rather only spend $100 and use the other $600 to buy over 3000 diapers.

I know I should just let this go but I have to say that I am shocked. Just to ease your mind, I can afford the stroller, diapers, and private schooling too... I went to college and graduate school as did my husband and we have good jobs. I'm not sure why it is any of your concern how I spend my money. Rest assured I'm doing just fine.

As for the others with advice, thanks! Maybe I will consider a travel system afterall.

emily0829 · October 2009

mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

It's actually not. If you can afford it, you don't have to justify. You were asking an opinion on the stroller, not the price. A lot of people will tell you what they would do if they had an extra $700. That's their choice/opinion. Anyway, I don't have children, but I think that it really has to be your judgement call.

I would make sure to get opinions of those that have used the travel system and read some reviews online.

Have fun shopping!

Sept17.05Bride · October 2009

Yes, I think it is important to get a stroller that you can snap your infant carrier into. It really is a personal preference on what type of stroller you get. I never had a travel system because I just don't like them, they seem so bulky to me.

MrsPedersen · October 2009

Ditto about the snap and go...especially since now I will be buying a double stroller...but our travel system was a gift and it has worked well for us and still is a good stroller if either dh or I will be taking only one kid out

That being said, I never would spend $700 on a stroller when there are a ton of awesome strollers for less!

schnappycat · October 2009

I'm in the minority, but I don't like travel systems. First off, they are huge and cumbersome. And my DS was one of the few infants who HATED to be in his carseat in his stroller. I was fortunate in that we had purchased a Maclaren with a carseat adapter bar, but that also was fully reclinable for newborns. After a few weeks of trying the carseat, it was clear that he hated it. So I ditched that idea and just brought him right into the stroller and made it as upright as possible for his age. He was SO much happier once he could see everything around him and not be forced to stare up at the ceiling.

So while most babies like the carseat, it's a myth that they all will. My DS has never, not once, slept in his stroller, carseat or not. EVER. I can't imagine how much easier it would be if he had.

OP, I think you should do as much research as possible and try to think of YOUR particular lifestyle. It's hard to guess how your DC will behave, but don't buy a travel system if you don't think you want one just because others have. We use our stroller a TON and I would have gladly paid much more money for it or another I like just as much. It's less about the money (to me) and more about what fits with you.?

Raffes484 · October 2009

mrs.cam:
Raffes484:
mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

That's awesome that you can afford to be that extravagant with a stroller, but I'd rather only spend $100 and use the other $600 to buy over 3000 diapers.

I know I should just let this go but I have to say that I am shocked. Just to ease your mind, I can afford the stroller, diapers, and private schooling too... I went to college and graduate school as did my husband and we have good jobs. I'm not sure why it is any of your concern how I spend my money. Rest assured I'm doing just fine.

As for the others with advice, thanks! Maybe I will consider a travel system afterall.

I never said that you couldn't afford it. I did give you advice in an earlier response and this time I gave my opinion.

Mike's Wife · October 2009

mrs.cam:
Raffes484:
mrs.cam:

EMR11:
$700.00 for a stroller is ridiculous, but I guess if you can do it, then go for it! I hope you aren't charging it!!

Are you kidding? Of course not. I just happen to be able to afford it. I didn't know that was such a big deal. geez.

That's awesome that you can afford to be that extravagant with a stroller, but I'd rather only spend $100 and use the other $600 to buy over 3000 diapers.

I know I should just let this go but I have to say that I am shocked. Just to ease your mind, I can afford the stroller, diapers, and private schooling too... I went to college and graduate school as did my husband and we have good jobs. I'm not sure why it is any of your concern how I spend my money. Rest assured I'm doing just fine.

As for the others with advice, thanks! Maybe I will consider a travel system afterall.

Sorry, I was so annoyed with money comments that I forgot to give my advice.

I highly recommend getting Baby Bargains. It gives you recommendations based on your needs. I'll lso say you definitely want either a snap & go frame or the infant carrier attachment for whatever stroller you get.

juietbride · October 2009

We just did a snap and go and we loved it as did DS.

We did go all out for his second stroller (we got a BOB Revolution) and now are trying to figure out what we are going to do for our future child. I want something that I can put the car seat on for the first few months but now I need to start seriously shopping for a double stroller.

MomE2Be · October 2009

mrs.cam:
So obviously I'm getting way ahead of myself at this point but I'm curious!

I've been looking at strollers and I am having a hard time figuring out what I like/want. I really like the pram/toddler strollers (the kind that convert?) like the Bumbleride Queen B rather than a traditional travel system. Now it does have an attachment for an infant carseat but that looks like a pain in the a$$ and it is an extra you have to buy/install.

So my question is...do you really need to snap the infant seat into a stroller a la travel system? Or couldn't I just put baby into the pram? Obviously I'd still have the infant car seat so I could take the sleeping baby out of the car...

So travel system... do you really need it, like it, or use it?

My brother and sister in law went to target and bought a chicco cortina? i think they paid about $350 for it, and they said it was just as great as the one they bought for their first child for 570, but the more expensive one had broke. You should check it out. When I was visiting them earlier this year and watched their kid-os i loved it!

jacquelinethorne · October 2009

It really depends on personal preferences. Try them all out to see what you think. I ended up going with a Peg Perego Pliko because it weighs 1/2 of what most of those travel system strollers weigh and is the same size. It folds to about 1/2 the size too. I tote my kids around without DH a lot, so light is nice. I bought the car seat separately, but it snaps into the stroller. It is handy to have that feature, although almost all strollers can be customized with an infant carrier kit. Make sure when you're trying them out you fold them too. You want something that is easy to fold/unfold and use all of the time. I personally think travel systems are highly overrated and yes, I would buy a $500 stroller that is light and versatile rather than buying something cheap I will hate later.

scott&kim · October 2009

I have a Graco travel system and LOVE it. I left my DD in the pumpkin seat for as long as I could still lift her out of the car and only then did we move her to a convertible carseat.

We still use the stroller on occasion (mall, zoo, etc) and she is nearly 3 years old.

Erika6504 · October 2009

I really liked our travel system. I have the Grace Safeseat and the Metrolite stroller. We still use the stroller whenever we're going on walks. IMO it's really important to be able to snap the carseat into the stroller. If, by chance, the baby falls asleep in the car, you want to be able to move them without disturbing them.

Go to a baby store and test drive some different strollers to see what you like. I'd also suggest getting a copy of Baby Bargains. It rates all of the more popular brands. You'll come to find out pretty quickly that more expensive doesn't always mean better.

JessesGirl81 · October 2009

We have the Uppa Baby and really like it, it's a little less expensive then the bugaboo and comes with all the same stuff ( the pram)

lildevil968 · October 2009

Lurking from the second tri, but I recommend looking at Consumer reports. They have a ton of ratings on all things baby, and you may find that the stroller you want is not rated very well. Their ratings go all the way from Functionality to safety.

katcarls · October 2009

If you already budgeted $700, you should look at the Uppa Baby Vista. It gets really good reviews in the Baby Bargains book and on their stroller board.

bnljane1988 · October 2009

mrs.jenni:

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't waste my money on an expensive travel system. I'd buy a good infant car seat (which came with our Chicco travel system) and then a Snap and Go. DS moved up to an umbrella stroller when he was 4 months old, so we barely used the big bulky stroller that came with our travel system.

Although, I do love my Chicco Courtina travel system, I would just opt for a good umbrella stroller (We LOVE our Maclaren Triumph) and a snap & go.

This exactly.

Maddie'sMom · October 2009

If I had to do it over again, I would spend less on a travel system and more on a more compact, umbrella-type stroller. Sure, it's nice to have something to snap the carseat into when they are little but you are not going to use that feature nearly as often as you will use an umbrella stroller once they get a little older. I just carried DD in her carseat more often than I snapped it into the stroller (grocery store, Target, quick errands).

Get your Bumbleride if that's what you really like! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

tessab2515 · October 2009

We have the Bugaboo Bee and LOVE it! You can get an attachment for the carseat, but I hadn't. It's really nice becuase it's super lightweight and compact. I "test drove" this and a cheaper stroller to see if I just like it because of the name brand or the performance and decided to go with it. One thing that is really nice is you can turn it to have baby face you or outwards so you can switch up the strolling experience. I went on amazon and read reviews for a few different ones before we made our final decision. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Deleted User] · October 2009

The user and all related content has been deleted.

charlies-angel · October 2009

I don't have kids yet, but I have decided not to get a travel system. I plan to get a snap-n-go thingy instead to use with the carseat (along with a seperate stroller). I just think travel systems are too bulky for me.

Want a personalized experience?

Those who already have kids...

Re: Those who already have kids...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards