A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel system with car seats gives parents the convenience of a car seat for their infant as well as a stroller that can work in tandem. They can be expensive.
These combinations make it easy for parents to take a sleepy baby from car to stroller and back again without waking them. This is a great solution for families that spend much of their time in the car.
Comfort
Travel systems with an infant car seat are a great way to make the transition from the car to stroller a breeze. These all-in-ones are different from stroller-only combinations because they usually include an infant car seat and a stroller. They are suitable for infants as well as older children. Push Chairs And Prams of the car-and-stroller combinations that make our list also have a bassinet attached that can be used as a secure alternative to a stroller for naptime walks.
A 2 in 1 travel system that includes a car seat will cost more than buying the items separately, but you'll save time and money 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 a different stroller.
One important thing to remember when you are shopping for a travel system is that these sets typically include a car seat for infants and a stroller designed to work in tandem, which is designed to be used during the first 12 months. If you intend to keep the seat after this point you should choose a model that has a convertible car-seat that can be used by toddlers and has a greater weight limit.
Some travel systems also have an additional seat that can be used as a booster seat for older kids. This is a great feature, but it might not be practical for your lifestyle.
Take a look at 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 like the UPPAbaby PIPA car seat and Vista stroller combination come with a variety of features that will help you and your baby stay in a comfortable position. These products have springy all-wheel suspensions to smooth the ride, and the PIPA car seat has an inbuilt drape canopy that is perfect to shield a sleepy child. These seats also have rigid LATCH connectors which can be used on cars that don't have a base. This is a great choice for families who regularly use ride-sharing services or have two vehicles.
Convenience
These are great for parents who often do errands, or transport their children on public transport such as trains and buses. You can easily move your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller without disturbing or awakening them.
A few of the top stroller-car seat combinations can be converted into a double when you have a growing family. We like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo which comes with an infant car seat and stroller that snap into place to instantly transform into a sleek chariot two. This is especially important if the car seat will be your baby's primary vehicle seat.
Other stroller-car seat combinations may have more complicated conversion methods. It is possible to manually snap the car seat onto stroller or attach straps to base to secure it. This method was more difficult to master in our tests than the Doona's one-step conversion. It could pose a safety risk if you misplace or forget to secure the straps prior to using the travel system.
While a car seat/stroller combo is convenient, you must be aware of whether the stroller and car seat for your infant will work together for as long as you need them to. The majority of car seat/stroller combos utilize rear-facing infant car seats designed to be used until your child is the age of one. These car seats do not attach to strollers when they are no longer needed in the car. Some all-in one car seat/stroller models such as the Doona is able to be used as a car seat for toddlers with an additional seat belt booster once your child is no longer in the car seat for infants but is too tall to fit in the standard strollers.
Car seat/stroller combos are ideal for newborns through the early years of childhood. Once your child outgrows the infant car seats and you are looking at purchasing a separate stroller and replacing the travel system with a bigger model that can handle toddlers and older children. Make sure that your infant car seat has been fitted correctly. Never remove it from your car without first removing the straps.
Safety
The combination of a car seat and stroller allows you to easily transfer infants from a car to a stroller and reverse the process, without disturbing or waking them up. This is especially helpful when you're running errands or traveling, says Rothman. To ensure your safety, opt for a car seat that is attached to the stroller via the simple click or the rigid LATCH system. This will ensure that the car seat will be secure while in use, and will not fall off or come loose in the course of transport. Combinations of car seats and stroller that can be used without or with the base are an excellent option for ride-share vehicles.
When looking for a new travel system, check the age and weight limits of both the car seat and stroller. Most infant car seats that are included in these systems are rear-facing and are only meant for use in the first 12 months of your child's life. A lot of these car seats then switch to a forward-facing seat that can be used in the car or be converted into a stroller compatible with it. Stanton insists that you follow all instructions and labels particularly when it's time to make sure your child meets the weight and height requirements of both the car seat as well as the stroller.
While some parents prefer to purchase separate products and design their own travel system, it's not uncommon for companies to offer pre-packaged car seats and strollers set-ups. They are usually priced lower than buying the products separately. For example, UPPAbaby's popular Vista stroller that comes with the Mesa infant car seat is an extremely sought-after set. The stroller offers an easy ride, with a springy all-wheel suspension and a large basket to hold all the baby's toys. The car seat is low-profile and features a SafeCell crumple area for added protection. It is quick and easy install, thanks to the exclusive SafeCenter LATCH. The car seat has an adjustable headrest with four positions and four harness heights as well as an insert that is cushioned to ensure your child's comfort. It is easy to clean and features a 1-hand fold, making it convenient for storage.
Style
While it's tempting to buy a travel system for the convenience of moving your baby from stroller to car and back again without waking them up, that's not the only reason to think about one. You should also consider an option with a fashionable design, which is simple to use and has many other features for your child's comfort as well as yours.
Travel systems that are the best include the infant car stroller, car seat and stroller base all in one box to allow you to move from your car to the street. They typically feature a one-piece infant car seat that snaps into a stroller that is compatible and some include an attachment for a bassinet for strolls during nap time (safety research has shown that babies sleep best when in a reclined position).
Strollers and infant car seats that are designed to work with 2 in 1 travel systems are lightweight and durable, making them easy to move, push and fold. Make sure you choose models with rubber tires, a swivel wheel on the front for streets in cities, a large cargo basket and the capacity to hold several shopping bags. You should also consider how the stroller and car seat can be folded for ease of storage.
Some travel systems allow you to replace the infant car seat with a toddler's seat as your child grows out of it, which gives you an additional 1-2 years of use. This is an excellent option for parents who intend to use the seat for longer than a year or if a partner commutes by train, bus or ride-share.
Graco's All-in One Car Seat and Stroller is a great option for families looking for an all-in one. It's simple to transfer from a car seat to a stroller and back again, with the built-in LATCH system that secures the seat quickly and securely in your car. It's also approved for air travel so you can get on and off public transportation with confidence. The All-in-One Car Seat & Stroller can be converted into a double stroller, so you can take your child on adventures around the world. It's also available in a variety of vibrant colors that will match any outfit.