Guide To 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat: The Intermediate Guide To 2 In 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel system that includes car seats provides parents with the convenience of a car seat for their infant as well as a stroller which work in tandem. However they can be expensive.
These combos make it easy for parents to transport a sleeping baby from stroller to car and back without disturbing them. This is a great solution for families that tend to spend a lot of time in the car.
Comfort
If you're looking for an easy way to transition your baby from the car to stroller without waking them up the next morning, a travel set-up that includes the stroller seat as well as an infant car seat might be the thing you're looking for. These all-in-ones differ from stroller-only combinations since they typically include an infant car seat as well as a stroller. They are suitable for both newborns and older children. Many of the car seat-and-stroller combos on our list have bassinet attachments as well which is a safe alternative to a stroller for walks during naptime.
A 2-in-1 travel system that comes with a car seat is more expensive than purchasing the two items separately, however you'll save money and time by purchasing them all together. If you decide that the stroller and car seat are not right for your family there are adaptors for most brands to allow you to use the car seat in conjunction with another stroller.
One thing to be aware of when shopping for a travel system is that they typically comprise an infant car seat and a stroller designed to work in tandem, which is meant to be used in the first 12 months. If you plan to keep the seat after this point, choose a model that includes a convertible car seat that can be used for toddlers and is able to support a higher weight limit.
Some travel systems also feature an additional seat that can serve as a booster for older children. This is a nice option, but it may not be practical for your needs.
Check out our top picks of car seats and strollers If you're looking for an budget-friendly travel system that can last for several years. Our editors' top picks include the UPPAbaby PIPA car seat and Vista stroller combo come with a variety of features that will help you and your baby remain comfortable. They have a springy all-wheel suspensions to smooth the ride and the PIPA car seat comes with an inbuilt drape canopy that is perfect to shield a sleepy child. These seats also come with rigid LATCH connectors which can be used on cars that don't have a base. This is a great choice for families that frequently use ride-share or have two cars.
Convenience
Car seat/stroller combos are ideal for parents who often run out for errands or take their child out on public transport such as buses and trains. You can easily transfer your sleeping baby from the car to a stroller without disturbing or awakening them.
Some of the best stroller-car seat combinations can be converted to a double as you grow your family. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo is an ideal combination of a stroller and infant car seat that can be pushed into position to instantly transform into chariots for two. This feature is crucial in the event that you plan to use the car seat as the baby's only vehicle seat.
Other stroller and car seat combination models have more complicated conversion techniques that require you to manually connect the infant car seat onto the stroller or use straps attached to the base to fix it. This method was more difficult to master during our tests than the Doona's one-step conversion. If you misplace or forget the straps, it may be a danger to your safety.
A car seat/stroller combo is a good idea however, you must think about whether the strollers and infant car seats will work together as long as you want them to. The majority of car seats and strollers use rear-facing infant car seats designed to be used until your child is the age of one. These car seats are not attached to strollers 2 in 1 once they're no longer needed in the car. Some all-in-one car seat/stroller products, like Doona can be used as car seats for toddlers with a seatbelt booster after your child has outgrown the infant car seat but is too big to fit into most conventional strollers.
The most effective combination is a car seat and stroller for infants and children in the early years of childhood. Once your child outgrows the car seats for infants it is recommended to consider purchasing a separate stroller and replacing the travel system with a more spacious model that can be used by toddlers and older children. Always ensure that your infant car seat has been installed correctly. Don't remove it from the car without first removing the straps.
Safety
Car seats and strollers allow you to easily transfer infants from the car to the stroller and back again without disturbing them or needing to wake them up. This is particularly useful when you're on the go or travelling, says Rothman. To ensure your safety, opt for a car seat that attaches to the stroller via the simple click or the rigid LATCH system. This will ensure that the car seat is secure while in use, and will not fall off or become loose during the course of transport. Combinations of strollers and car seats that be used with or without bases are also great alternatives for ride-share vehicles.
When shopping for a stroller, make sure you know the weight and age limits of both the car seat and stroller. These systems include rear-facing infant car seats which are only intended for use during the first 12 months of the life of a child. A majority of these car seats transition to a forward-facing car seat that can be used in the vehicle or snap into a compatible stroller. It is important to study the labels and follow the instructions precisely, advises Stanton especially when it comes down to ensuring your child's height and weight are within the correct weight and height requirements for both the car seat as well as the stroller.
Some parents prefer to buy separate items to create their own travel system, others prefer buying pre-packaged car seats and stroller combinations, it is not uncommon to find companies that to sell these sets. They are usually priced lower than purchasing the items separately. Sets like UPPAbaby's bestselling Vista stroller and Mesa infant car seats are highly sought-after. The stroller is smooth ride, a springy suspension on all wheels, and a huge storage basket to store everything you need for your baby. The car seat is slim and comes with a SafeCell crumple area for added security. The SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to set up. The car seat features a headrest that is adjustable in four positions with four harness settings as well as a padded insert to ensure your child's comfort. It's easy to clean and features a 1-hand fold, making it ideal for storage.
Style
While it's tempting to purchase a travel system to enjoy the ease of moving your child from car to stroller and back without having to wake them up, that's not the only reason to consider one. You also want to choose a model that's elegant, well-balanced, and has a number of other features that make it comfortable for your child and yourself.
The most effective travel systems comprise an infant car seat, stroller and car seat base all in one package for seamless transition from vehicle to street. They typically come with a single car seat that can be easily converted into a stroller compatible with it. Some even come with a bassinet for naps (safety studies show that babies sleep better in a reclining position).
Strollers and infant car seats that integrate with 2-in-1 travel systems are lightweight, durable, and easy to fold and move. Look for models that have rubber tires with a swivel wheels on the front to allow for city streets as well as a large basket for cargo and the capacity to hold several shopping bags. You should also consider how the car seat and stroller fold to make it easier to store them.
Some travel systems let you change the included infant car seat with a toddler seat as your child grows out of it, giving you an additional 1-2 years of use. This is a great option when you're planning to use the car seat for more than one year, or your partner frequently uses ride-sharing services or commutes by bus or train.
Graco’s All-in One Car Seat and Stroller is a great option for families who are looking for an option that is all in one. It's easy to transfer from car seat to stroller and back with the built-in LATCH system that locks the seat quickly and securely in your car. It's also a certified air travel, which means you can board and get off public transport with confidence. The All-in-One Car Seat & Stroller can be converted to a double stroller so you can take your child on adventures around the globe. It is available in a range of vibrant colors that complement any wardrobe.