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2nd Trimester
gd3380
member
Strollers/CarSeats/Travel Systems???
gd3380
member
Hey Ladies,
So we are going to have to register soon, and I am completely clueless on all the different options out there. Could someone explain what all the different options are and which one do you prefer? I can't figure out the difference between a stroller and a car seat, and then a travel system.
i would think that i want the carseat that you can pop out and pop on to a strolller, but i dont know if that is considered a travel system or what. Help!
Thanks so much!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Strollers/CarSeats/Travel Systems???
A 'Travel System' is a stroller that comes with a coordinating infant seat, and usually a base.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Alano-Travel-System-Greer/12960897?sourceid=1500000000000003260330&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=12960897
Sometimes, you can buy these pieces individually as well.
Personally, after my experience with my TS - I don't like them.
https://talesofthemouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-stroller.html - has all my info in it. You might want to consider a book like Baby Bargains which will give you up to date info on all your options ... and then go test a bunch of those options out, to see what you like best.
The Mouse ~ 06.12.08 | The Froggy ~ 02.23.11
A travel system is a stroller and carseat sold together in one 'package'
You can buy infant carseat separately, and strollers separately that are the same as what you get in a 'system'. Or you can just buy one or the other piece.
I personally liked having the infant carrier seat and a stroller 'frame' for it, then getting a nicer umbrella stroller for when they are older. I had a 'travel system' stroller but it was big/bulky and I didn't really like using it much.
I would get the baby bargains book. It has alot of good info in there. It also gives saftey ratings and stuff.
I would also maybe post on 0-3 or 3-6 month board since there are using theres right now.
Get your pregnant butt to the baby store to take a look! It really will help you understand the difference between the options. However, it probably won't help you determine what's best for you.
It took my H and I 2 months to finally decide on a stroller and a car seat. Here are the basics:
Carseat - you can get an infant car seat, which pops in and out of the car (sits on a base) and can pop onto a stroller. The pros to this is that you can move baby without having to actually remove him/her from the seat. OR you can go for a convertible car seat, which will take you all the way up to a front facing seat/when baby is much bigger. I opted for the infant car seat first - I just feel those convertible seats are too big for a newborn and I don't want to lift baby out all the time.
Strollers - They come in a travel system (car seat, base for car and stroller) or separate (just the stroller - car seat needs to be purcahsed separately). I personally found the travel systems to be a bit bulky, so we went looking for a smaller option. You can also look into umbrella strollers (much smaller, more appropriate for toddlers), jogging strollers, etc.
Decide what your needs and wants are for the stroller and go from there. Test a bunch out, practice folding them down, pick them up, push them around. It'll really help you understand what you want.
And take your time! Check out Baby Bargains - has a lot of reviews for different brands and models. GL!
Most strollers have car seat adapters that you can buy so you can use the car seat pretty much any stroller.
We found a stoller that we really liked (BOB Revolution) and just used that and the car seat adapter. We never once used the stroller with the travel system.
Or look into the snap and go which is a really light inexpensive way to hook the car seat into stroller.
I'm not personally a fan of the travel systems.
This.
We're doing a lightweight stroller (in between the bulky ones full size ones that come with travel systems, and umbrella strollers) with an infant seat that can snap onto it. The infant seat we picked also hooks onto a jogging stroller. I did a ton of research and used Baby Bargains to decide on this.
FYI, when you go to try some strollers out, ask if they have a copy of Baby Bargains you can borrow while you shop. Most of them do, and it's really helpful to be able to see reviews while you're in the store comparing brands and prices.