When to switch from carseat to just the stroller?

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

So this is totally going to be a FTM question, but at what point do infants move from being in their car seat in the stroller to just riding in the stroller? We bought the BOB Motion travel system & are so excited how well it fits together & how easy it is to travel with. However, we are traveling to Disney in December (yes, I know we're crazy, but this is a 16 person family trip that was planned before we got pregnant) :P & wasn't sure if we would have to travel with the carseat & the stroller in the parks or if we would be able to just use the stroller. Baby boy will be a little over 4 months at this point.

Like I said, probably a silly FTM question, but just trying to plan ahead. Thanks mamas!

aimeepigott · June 2014

I had DS in the stroller without his car seat around 4-5 mos. I walked everyday and that was when I switched from my travel system to a jogger. Just lay baby back as far as the seat will recline and I even grabbed a head pad from the store and added just for extra support. Just pay attention to baby's size. DS was 8 lbs and 15 oz at birth.

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jnnfrrose6 · June 2014

We started not using the carseat in the stroller sometime after the 6 month mark. I'm not 100% sure when we made the switch because we were in an apartment at the time and it was easier to keep DS in the seat and put it on the stroller to get into the building.

You're going to have to take the carseat anyways on the trip, so I think you can probably just make a game time decision on whether you want to use it on the stroller or not once you're there.

Soon2BMrsN · June 2014

I don't think we ditched the infant seat for just the stroller until 7-8 months old.

BPer · June 2014

We put an infant insert into our UppaBaby Vista and was able to have her in just the stroller around 3 months when we went on vacation, but we made sure she was reclined enough too.

It all depends on baby's head control I think. I would definitely recommend getting an infant insert, something like this until LO is about 6 months old.

kjskjs · June 2014

I think DD was probably in just the stroller at about 4 months but with it reclines and maybe some blanket rolls on either side oh her just to be safe. It all depends on the kid. You can get away with just using the stroller as long as it reclines enough to be supportive.

Kohler2009 · June 2014

My son was out of his infant seat at 6 months (big boy!) so we definitely had him switched using just the stroller by that point. My best guess is 5 months (at the latest!) because I just found a picture and he was in a walker and zipping all over at that point, lol!

nolongerdinks · June 2014

We only used our infant car seat in the car for 6 months before converting to a convertible seat. Both our girls were big babies and liked being upright. We had them in the regular stroller seat fairly early on- around 3 months. If they have good head control and are buckled into the seat correctly, they should be able to ride upright. We have the BOB Revolution and the buckle is a 5 point harness, so it held them upright quite well.

AKB090609 · June 2014

Your stroller has a nearly flat recline so you can put him in the stroller as soon as you want.

Because car seats are so warm (and baby really shouldn't be in it if not in the car) I got a stroller that the baby can be in right away with out the car seat. I'm sure we will click it in occasionally for quick trips but I plan on keeping her out of the car seat most of the time.

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

Thank you all so much for the tips & advice!! I know the trip is 6 months away but with the little one, we want to be prepared for everything!! Our stroller does have a great recline so that will be helpful & we did purchase one of those infant inserts with the headrest. We will definitely see what his head control is like by that point & hopefully he will be able to just use the stroller so its one less thing to bring on the trip since the Disney Magical Express bus does not allow carseats to be used on it & we wont need it for the plane ride.

Thanks again!!

iris427 · June 2014

It depends on your baby's muscle strength in their neck and back. You'll want to take the car seat anyway, so just see how things are once the trip is closer. It's not something you need to figure out yet.

chrinikki1 · June 2014

@Caitlin1216‌ Do you know about the recall on the Motion a couple months ago? Not sure the details because we had only registered for it when the BBB associate told us about it so we just registered for a different stroller but wanted to make sure you knew there was one. The associate told us the recall was a result of the stroller chopping someone's finger off.

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

chrinikki1 said:
@Caitlin1216‌ Do you know about the recall on the Motion a couple months ago? Not sure the details because we had only registered for it when the BBB associate told us about it so we just registered for a different stroller but wanted to make sure you knew there was one. The associate told us the recall was a result of the stroller chopping someone's finger off.

OMG!!! We haven't heard anything about this!!! I will definitely be looking into that now- thank you so much for that info!

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

Caitlin1216 said:

@Caitlin1216‌ Do you know about the recall on the Motion a couple months ago? Not sure the details because we had only registered for it when the BBB associate told us about it so we just registered for a different stroller but wanted to make sure you knew there was one. The associate told us the recall was a result of the stroller chopping someone's finger off.
OMG!!! We haven't heard anything about this!!! I will definitely be looking into that now- thank you so much for that info!

I just checked into ours & it is not a part of the recall! Thank goodness- I don't think I could go through the process of trying to pick out another stroller again

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

MSUDucks said:

I think for DS it was sometime around the 5-6 month mark. Have you considered baby wearing as another option for the park? I know it will be warm, but many times I found baby wearing much easier than the whole giant stroller thing. DH and I would trade off on who was wearing throughout the day.

We are going to bring our carrier for when we're standing in all of the lines & if baby needs to be held, but I think we might still need the stroller for carrying everything & naps. We're going to be there for 4 days so we'll be able to see what works best for him. Thank you for this advice tho!

AMcLaws · June 2014

@Caitlin1216‌ FWIW, we've done Disney with a 2 month old AND a 4 month old. Both trips went great!! We did keep the babies in their car seats, and of course pulled them out often to stretch.

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

AMcLaws said:
@Caitlin1216‌ FWIW, we've done Disney with a 2 month old AND a 4 month old. Both trips went great!! We did keep the babies in their car seats, and of course pulled them out often to stretch.

Thank you! We're so excited for the trip, but the planning is a little overwhelming. Glad your trips went great, that's a positive reinforcement for us!

redhotmama7 · June 2014

Perhaps it depends on your stroller... Mine says birth- 50lbs... We weren't even going to get a bucket style car seat until it was the only kind that will fit in my car with a newborn recline...

Another option is baby wearing

alyss0nl · June 2014

DS went from car seat to just stroller & convertible car seat at 5 and 6 months respectively.

BBColt78 · June 2014

BPer said:

We put an infant insert into our UppaBaby Vista and was able to have her in just the stroller around 3 months when we went on vacation, but we made sure she was reclined enough too.

It all depends on baby's head control I think. I would definitely recommend getting an infant insert, something like this until LO is about 6 months old.

This. In our City Mini it reclined completely. You can put LO in there and laid back.

OP, have you thought about wearing baby on this trip as well? I've taken DD to Disney twice and baby wearing was a LIFESAVER!

Big+Lil · June 2014

We go to Disneyland a lot, and baby wearing is the way to go. I've heard a lot of stories of nice strollers being stolen, so we just always bring a cheap umbrella (but I don't think this would work at 4 months). You could also lighten your load and just rent a stroller at the park as well and baby wear for travels.

mamakiss · June 2014

I feel like id prefer to baby wear, but a heads up that a cousin of mine had nice strollers stolen twice inside Disney, now she brings a cheap umbrella stroller (not a good option for 6mo though)

bewilderingstar · June 2014

I read the title and was like "WTF - how can you even be planning for that right now?!"

I seriously can't plan past little dude being born never mind a vaca in the winter... That being said, if baby will only be 4mos old, I would use a sling. It's more convenient and it's safer.

BBColt78 · June 2014

Op, since others mentioned baby wearing too, a cheap option is the Infantino Mei Tai. It's on Amazon for $24. If you were to her more serious about baby wearing you can spend more. I took DD to Disney world in an Ergo. Imagine standing in every line, hands free. I was at Marshall's today and they had organic Ergos for $69. Retail is over $140

Caitlin1216 · June 2014

Thanks ladies!! We have the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 carrier that we're planning to bring to stand in lines, etc. But I still think we might need the stroller as well during down time so he isnt held the entire trip. Not too excited about the thought of someone stealing our nice stroller though, so its definitely something we'll have to think about. Like I said, just planning ahead. Thanks again!!

zellatrix · June 2014

We'll be going to Disney in Dec too!

We are renting a double stroller, and will have our 6 year old on one side and our 4-5 month old on the other side. We will probably use a stroller insert for extra cushion.

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