A 2 in 1 Travel System
If you want to move around easily or you want to create a modern take on a pram, the car seat and stroller combination is the best option. Check the specs to ensure that your car seat and stroller are compatible or think about purchasing an adapter.
Travel systems that have been tested by editors allow you to move your sleeping baby from the car to a stroller, without disturbing them. Some travel systems have an infant carrycot to help encourage the natural sleeping.
Pushchairs And Prams in 1 travel system comes with an infant car seat as well as stroller that snaps together. It's a convenience for parents and caregivers who often run errands while with their infant or take their little child on public transportation or rideshares. "You have less equipment to worry about," explains Graco spokesperson Rachel Stanton. "And it's great for families who switch between carpooling with other moms or using public transit."
A top pick is the Doona infant car seat and latch base, which has 90% of five-star reviews on Amazon. It's a rear-facing car seat that can be converted into a rolling jogging stroller in seconds. The wheels fold under and the Doona is compact when not in use. The Doona can also be attached to a car's backseat using the LATCH base that is rigid, or to taxi-safety belts. This makes it ideal for urban families.
The Mamas & Papas pramette is another excellent car seat/stroller combo. It has the pram with a hood which opens and an front seat that can be adjusted so that your child can lay down for naps or for feedings. It comes with a large basket and cup holders for all the necessities for your baby and a tray for parents and sun shade. The stroller seat is able to recline in multiple positions and even flat, so your baby will be comfortable on every ride.
The weight and height limits are important. Also, consider whether the infant car seat can only be used with a backseat belt or in the event that it comes with a strong LATCH system that is built-in. Also, look for a locking mechanism on the handle to keep it safe in its place, as well as the possibility of tilting the handle toward the rear seatback for an anti-rebound bar.
Travel systems are only compatible with infant car seats. Extended-use car seats that can be turned forward later, cannot be converted into strollers. For this reason, many moms opt to get an additional stroller and car seat once their child grows out of the infant seat.
Stroller
A stroller is a vital piece of equipment for new parents. Some travel systems include a baby pram which can be converted into a comfy infant carrycot. This is perfect for parents who do not want to disturb their baby while traveling. Depending on the model, some also feature an automobile seat and stroller combination that connects to one another. This means you can keep your child safely secure in the car seat, and then transfer them to a stroller without causing any disturbance, which is ideal for long drives and busy shopping centers.
A good stroller needs to be equipped with a variety of features to make it practical and user-friendly. It should come with a large basket that can keep essentials such as nappies, toys and snacks and be capable of reclining to give your baby a comfortable rest. It should also have a good canopy to protect your baby from the sun, and a lockable front wheel for extra security. It should also be light and compact for storage and transport to and from the vehicle.
Editor-tested travel system strollers such as the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo, Chicco Keyfit Caddy and Doona Combo all provide convenience by connecting to a variety of top car seats that can be attached to the frame and fold effortlessly. Some models have one wheel on each leg, making them easier to move and roll over different surfaces.
Ideally, a stroller should be able to endure through toddlerhood and beyond if you need it to to transport your child to and from school as well as to play dates and activities. This is why you should consider a model with a seat that faces the world (and reclines) once your baby outgrows the car seat.
If you plan on using your 2-in-1 travel system on public transportation, look for one with an ISOFIX base so it's safe to take off and on buses or trains. Some models, like the Doona can be installed on trains and airplanes to make traveling with a baby even easier.