I'm feeling SO overwhelmed!

JoAngel32 · January 2012

I just recently started researching different strollers, travel systems, car seats, etc, and I'm so overwhelmed with all the different options. I think we want to go with a travel system so I don't have to take baby out of the car seat whenever we get out of the car. And we want a gender neutral color (but not brown or tan) so we can use it for baby #2 as well.

So far, Graco seems to have some good reviews, but there are so many other brands out there. I also wouldn't mind a jogging stroller, but I haven't seen any really good ones that I could also use as my everyday stroller, especially ones with a travel system.

So far in my pregnancy I've been super calm and not stressed out about anything, but today I hit a turning point and I just feel like screaming and crying all at the same time. Do any of you ladies have recommendations on travel system strollers?

davisas2323 · January 2012

Personally, I would go with an infant car seat and the Graco stroller frame (you can definitely get this used on Craigslist). This will get you through almost a year and then you can take the time to decide about your toddler stroller. Travel systems are heavy and seem like a waste of money.

To answer your question, Graco and Chicco have the highest ratings for infant carriers. I prefer the Graco because the seat and extra bases are less expensive (and a little less heavy), but the Chicco is easy to install.

vette_99 · January 2012

We have the Graco Deluxe Stylus Travel System and loved it for DS. It was super easy to just snap the infant seat into the base in the car or right into the stroller. We also liked that the infant seat could be used up to 35 lbs, so we didn't have to buy anything else until we needed to switch to his convertible car seat. The price was much better for the extra base we needed compared to other brands as well.

militarywife2b · January 2012

I like Chicco. My DH and I are both tall and the adjustable handle is awesome for us. We tried out other strollers and all of them were so low it felt so uncomfortable pushing it around the store. I also love the fact that it clicks into the stroller and base so you know that the baby is in securely. I also love that the base is easy to install.

fyziksgirl · January 2012

I felt the same way, I stressed over strollers for months! I finally found a travel system I absolutely LOVE: the Britax B-Agile with the B-Safe car seat. It is super lightweight (maybe 16 pounds?), takes Britax car seats (which are some of the safest but not that pricey) very easily, maneuvers beautifully and fits in tight spaces, folds up so easy and small, and still has reasonable storage. Plus, as a bonus, you can use it as a light jogging stroller! I tried the Graco strollers in store and hated them, they felt so cheap to me and they didn't handle or ride well at all. I really liked the Chicco travel system, but it's so BIG, like most travel systems. I felt like I'd definitely need another stroller that was more lightweight I'm the future. The Britax is a little pricier (system is $340 on Amazon), but I feel like it fulfills the functions of a travel system, lightweight stroller, and jogging stroller to me, so it's worth it!

JAP09-02 · January 2012

I used the Chicco with DD1 and will use it this time around too. Ours is the Keyfit 30 seat, but it also comes in one that lasts up to a lesser weight (22lbs?). The Keyfit 22 costs less than the Keyfit 30. I wish I would have bought the 22lb seat because of cost, and DD definitely outgrew it lengthwise before she did weight wise. I'm still debating on buying the double stroller.

Your best plan of attack maybe getting on Consumer Reports and checking out safety ratings. Then head to the store and take the ones on your narrowed down list for a spin.

emilylime23 · January 2012

I bought the Chicco Cortina/Keyfit30 travel system in the color "Midori" which is a very nice bright and neutral green.

https://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Cortina-KeyFit-Travel-System/dp/B003SZUTVO

It has some of the greatest reviews, and when I tried it out in a BRU I loved how easily the stroller moved around and how secure it felt with the car seat snapped in. It's definitely more expensive than a Graco, but because its such a neutral color we are planning on using it for future children as well. I don't mind spending a little extra on having one of the highest safety rated carseats... god forbid we ever get into a wreck, I'll have much more peace of mind that my baby will be safe!

JoAngel32 · January 2012

Ok, so I think right now our first choice is the Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 travel system. We like the Graphite color, and we can use it for either gender in the future. I'm going to take it for a "test drive" in BRU next week to make sure I like it, but hopefully we can check it off our list! Thanks, ladies, for all your help!

winter-shock · January 2012

It really depends on how much you want to spend, as well as what your plans are for using it.
We got the BOB stroller along with the Peg Perego carseat. The seat can latch into it using the car seat adapter. I LOVE both. I hated all of the travel systems. I found they were so weak. We live in a small town, in Canada (so lots of snow) and the roads are obviously paved but you are still dealing with a lot of gravel. The BOB has actual tires so it is like a dream on our roads and sidewalks. My sister got a travel system and regretted it, they can't even use it in the winter because it can barely make it through any amount of snow!

mrsbecky07 · January 2012

Something to keep in mind is that you don't need a "travel system" to be able to snap the infant car seat into the stroller, with a lot of strollers you just need an adaptor. We have the Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat and are going to get the BOB stroller, and with the adaptor we'll be able to snap the seat into the stroller very easily. We prefer to have a stroller we love with the extra piece (the adaptor) and we weren't fans of the travel systems.

J&PJax · January 2012

I second the Britax B-Agile stroller and B-Safe infant carrier. Works like a travel system, but super light weight, easy to fold, super maneuverable. Not a 'true' jogging stroller, but very few actually are. It's all terrain and I plan to use it for walking/light jogging. I try it out every time I go to BRU and still love it! Oh, and it's black.

bel138 · January 2012

DH and I plan on wearing the little one in a wrap most of the time. Am I missing some sort of situation where I would need a stroller for a newborn? I definitely don't jog. Everyone seems to be so concerned about strollers, but I don't think I want or need one. Educate me?

PunkRockPrincess1313 · January 2012

Chica...you are SO NOT alone here.

The stroller, car seat stuff was FREAKING ME OUT. I mean like to a point where I would start to panic if I looked too much online.

Today...I finally made my choice after spending lots of time playing with them all at Buy Buy Baby ...

That hour of hands on experience changed my whole idea of what I wanted and I am THRILLED with my choice.

.....It is totally not for everyone and technically...is not a traditional travel system ..so I wont share the details...but I wanted you to know that you are very much not alone in that stress and to get out there and get your hands on some stuff and it will really help you with your decision making!

mrs+harlow · January 2012

We have narrowed it down to the Graco Snugride 30 or Chicco Keyfit 30.... The Snugride is a little lighter and in my opinion the padding was softer in the seat than the Keyfit. But the Keyfit is easier to install.

For stroller we are going with the Baby Jogger City Mini and the adapter for the car seat.

mrs+harlow · January 2012

bel138:
DH and I plan on wearing the little one in a wrap most of the time. Am I missing some sort of situation where I would need a stroller for a newborn? I definitely don't jog. Everyone seems to be so concerned about strollers, but I don't think I want or need one. Educate me?

I think carriers are great for certain situations but if you have a situation where you need to be out for an extended period of time it's a bit hard to wear a newborn and carry all the stuff you need to bring for the newborn and carry whatever your purchases are ( I.e. shopping at mall for instance). Besides running in and out of cars and the store I'd rather pop on a car seat to a stroller than have to keep taking the baby in and out and in and out of the car seat to the wearable carrier.

robocop4life · January 2012

We arent doing a travel system. The infant car seat lasts for such a short time so we are buying a britax convertible carseat and I am planning on wearing him until he is big enough to be in a stroller on his own. I am sure he will fall asleep in the car sometimes but I wouldnt put the car seat in the shopping cart unless it actually clips in for safety. Good luck!

jp0129 · January 2012

We are doing a safety first euro lite travel system. The car seat holds up to 35 lbs and the stroller can be used once he hits that and last for a while. I like that the car seat is longer than most. My niece is only 6 months and is already hanging off her car seat. Yes it is heavier than most but the safety and ratings on it are amazing. Honestly I don't know if I will ever just be carrying the stroller or just the car seat especially for a long distance so I dont mind. Plus its a great work out!

BelleIsa · January 2012

J&PJax:
I second the Britax B-Agile stroller and B-Safe infant carrier. Works like a travel system, but super light weight, easy to fold, super maneuverable. Not a 'true' jogging stroller, but very few actually are. It's all terrain and I plan to use it for walking/light jogging. I try it out every time I go to BRU and still love it! Oh, and it's black.

This, but if you are planning on having more children, I would just get the Britax B-Ready since it converts to a double - rather than spending $350 now and more later on a double.

fyziksgirl · January 2012

BelleIsa:
J&PJax:
I second the Britax B-Agile stroller and B-Safe infant carrier. Works like a travel system, but super light weight, easy to fold, super maneuverable. Not a 'true' jogging stroller, but very few actually are. It's all terrain and I plan to use it for walking/light jogging. I try it out every time I go to BRU and still love it! Oh, and it's black.

This, but if you are planning on having more children, I would just get the Britax B-Ready since it converts to a double - rather than spending $350 now and more later on a double.

I considered this, but the B-Ready was so much bigger and heavier it outweighed a lot of the appeal of the Britax stroller for me. I'm not sure I'm a giant fan of exactly that kind of double-stroller. And regular price, the B-Agile is $250 and the B-Ready is $500. I just don't see the need to pay twice as much now thinking that the B-Ready will likely fit my needs in the future when it doesn't fit my needs as well now.

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I'm feeling SO overwhelmed!

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