Guide To 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat: The Intermediate Guide On 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel set-up with car seats gives parents the convenience of a car seat for their infant and a stroller which are able to work together. However, they can be expensive.
These combinations make it easy for parents to move a sleeping baby from car to stroller and back without disturbing them up. This is a great solution for families that are constantly moving.
Comfort
If you're looking for a simple method to move your baby from car to stroller without waking them up the next morning, a travel set-up that includes a stroller seat and infant car seat may be just what you need. These are different from stroller-only combos because they usually include an infant car seat in addition to the stroller. They are suitable for both infants and older children. Many of the car seats and strollers combos on our list include a bassinet attachment as well which is an excellent alternative to a traditional stroller for naps.
A 2 in 1 pushchair and car seat-in-1 travel system that comes with a car seat will cost more than purchasing the products separately, but you'll save money and time by purchasing them all together. If you decide that the stroller and car seat aren't suitable for your family there are adaptors for most brands that let you use the car seat in conjunction with a different stroller.
One important thing to remember when looking for a travel set is that these sets usually include a car seat for infants and a stroller that is designed to work together, which is meant to be used for the first 12 months. If you plan to keep the car seat and using it beyond this time, you should look for one that has a convertible car seat that can be used as a toddler car seat and has a greater weight limit.
Some travel systems also feature a second seat that can serve as a booster for older kids. This is a great feature, but it might not be appropriate for your needs.
If you're looking to purchase a travel system that will last for a few years, check out our top picks for car seats as well as strollers. Editor-tested favorites like the UPPAbaby PIPA stroller and car seat combo have numerous features that will keep you and your child comfortable. These products feature springy all-wheel-suspension to ease the ride. The PIPA car seat also comes with a built-in drape canopy to protect the baby who is sleeping. These products also feature LATCH connectors that are rigid and can be used on vehicles that do not have a base. This makes them an ideal choice for families that frequently use ride-share or have two cars.
Convenience
Car seat/stroller combinations are great for parents who regularly run the errands of their children or take them out on public transport like trains and buses. It is easy to transfer your baby's sleeping body from the car to the stroller without disturbing or waking them.
Some of the best 2 in 1 prams strollers and car seat combinations also allow you to convert them into a double as your family expands. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo is an amalgamation of a stroller and infant car seat that can be pushed into position to instantly transform into chariots for two. This feature is particularly important if you plan to use the car seat for your baby's only vehicle seat.
Other stroller-car-seat combos might have more complex conversion methods. You may have to manually attach the car seat to the stroller or use straps attached to the base to ensure it is secured. In our tests this method was generally more difficult to master than the one-step procedure of the Doona. It could pose an accident hazard in the event that you lose or forget to secure the straps prior to using the travel system.
A car seat/stroller combination is a great option however, you must consider whether the strollers and infant car seats will work together as long as you require them to. The majority of car seats and strollers utilize rear-facing infant car seats designed to be used until your child is the age of one. The car seats can't be connected to a stroller after they're no longer required in the car. Some all-in-one car seat/stroller products such as the Doona, can be used as a toddler car seat with a seat belt booster after your child is no longer in the car seat for infants but is too tall to fit in most traditional strollers.
Car seat/stroller combinations work best for infants and toddlers until the early years of childhood. When your child grows out of the infant car seat you can replace the travel system with an extra large stroller which can be used for older children and toddlers. Make sure that your infant car seat is fitted correctly. Do not remove it from your car without first removing the straps.
Safety
Car seats and strollers make it easy to move infants from the vehicle to the stroller, and back without disturbing them or needing to awake them. This is particularly useful when you're doing errands or travelling, says Rothman. To ensure extra safety, choose an automobile seat that connects to a stroller with an incredibly strong LATCH system or a click-on system. This will ensure that the car seat will remain safe while being used and won't fall off or come loose in transit. Combinations of car seat and strollers that can be used without or with the base are also ideal for vehicles that ride-share.
When shopping for a travel system, check the weight and age limits of both the car seat and the stroller. The majority of the infant car seats included in these systems are rear-facing, and are only meant for use in the first 12 months of your child's life. These car seats can be changed into a forward-facing car seat that can be used in a vehicle or converted into the stroller. It's important to be aware of the labels and follow the instructions carefully, adds Stanton particularly when it comes to ensuring your child's height and weight are within the proper weight and height requirements for both the car seat as well as the stroller.
While some parents prefer to purchase separate products and create their own travel system, it's not uncommon to see companies sell pre-packaged car seats and strollers combination sets. They are usually priced lower than buying the products separately. Sets such as UPPAbaby's popular Vista stroller and Mesa infant car seats are sought-after. The stroller is smooth ride, springy suspension with all-wheels and a large storage basket for everything your baby needs. The car seat is slim and features a SafeCell crumple zone for extra protection. The SafeCenter LATCH makes it simple to put in. The car seat features a headrest that can be adjusted in four positions, four harness heights and an insert that is cushioned for your child's comfort. It is easy to clean and folds with just one hand.
Style
It's tempting to purchase a travel system that makes it easier to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without waking them, but that's not the primary reason to think about buying one. You also want to choose one that's elegant, well-balanced and comes with a range of other features to make it comfortable for both your child and you.
The travel systems that are the most effective include an infant car stroller, car seat, and stroller base all in one box to help you to transfer from your car to the street. They typically feature a one-piece infant car seat that snaps easily into a stroller compatible with it and some include a bassinet attachment for strolls to nap (safety research has shown that babies sleep better in an upright position).
Strollers and infant car seats that are designed to work with 2 in 1 travel systems are light and durable, making them easy to maneuver, push, and fold. Make sure you choose models with rubber tires, a swivel wheel on the front for city streets as well as a large basket for cargo, and can accommodate multiple shopping bags. You also want to check how small the stroller and car seat are when they're folded for ease of storage.
Certain travel systems allow you to change the infant car seat with an adult car seat when your child grows out of it. This allows for an additional 1-2 in 1 pram system years use. This is a great option if you're planning to use the car seat for more than one year, or your partner is frequently using ride-share services or commutes by train or bus.
The All-in-One Car Seat and Stroller is a top pick for families looking for an all-in-one solution. The rigid system built into LATCH lets you easily change between car seats and strollers and back. It's also approved for air travel, so you can get on and off public transport with ease. The All-in-One Car Seat & Stroller can be converted into a double stroller so that you can take your child on adventures across the world. It is available in a range of vibrant colors that fit in with any outfit.