How to Choose a Car Seat and Stroller? Picking a Travel System That Works For You
Few new parent purchases receive more attention and research than the car seat and stroller.
Whether it’s your first child or your adding to your growing family, the car seat and stroller play an integral role in your day to day activities.The right car seat and stroller will fit seamlessly into your lifestyle (and your backseat!).
But how do you choose the right car seat and stroller for you?
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Car Seat and Stroller
When choosing the right car seat and stroller for your family, there are a few things you’ll want to consider:
- Safety Features
- Lifestyle Needs + Personal Preference
- Ease of Use
- Comfort
- Adaptability + Durability
1. Safety Features
No, you do not have to invest in the most expensive car seat on the market. But this also isn’t a time to grab a car seat off of Facebook Marketplace and call it good.
All car seats come with expiration dates and should never be reused after being in an accident. Most can be installed with either a seatbelt or LATCH; check which option your car offers in the position you plan to install it.
For strollers, you want to look for a five point harness restraint system and the ability to lock the wheels in place when you’re not moving.
2. Lifestyle Needs + Personal Preference
If you live in an urban environment and walk to most of your destinations, you’ll want to prioritize the stroller over the car seat.
Likewise, if you live in a rural environment and spend a lot of time traversing uneven ground, you might want to make sure you buy a jogging or all-terrain stroller.
Living that suburban lifestyle? Maybe a travel system is the right solution for you, placing equal emphasis on the car seat and stroller.
3. Ease of Use
Ask any parent, and they likely have a story about the sweat, swears, and tears that have gone into a car seat installation.
Then there’s also the parent who purchased the beautiful, sleek stroller they saw advertised on social media only to find out it was a nightmare to steer and maneuver.
Safety and ease of use often go hand in hand—make sure you choose a car seat and stroller that are easy enough to use that you always use them safely.
4. Comfort
When we’re talking comfort, we mean both the baby’s AND yours. Rotating car seats, strollers with adjustable handlebars, fabrics that are soft and comfortable and machine-washable (trust us on that last one)—these are all factors that can contribute to a comfy ride all around.
5. Adaptability + Durability
Whether you want a car seat that can grow with your child or a stroller that can be converted to accommodate siblings down the road, consider if and how you need your car seat and stroller to adapt as time goes by.
Since a car seat and stroller can often be an investment, you’ll also want to make sure you choose something durable and long-lasting.
Understanding Car Seat Types
There are two main types of car seats:
- Infant Car Seats are designed to be used beginning with newborns (4 lbs) up to 30 lbs. These exclusively rear-facing seats typically snap in and out of a car seat base for maximum portability and may also attach to a stroller.
- Convertible Car Seats: These versatile seats can be rear or forward facing. Their higher weight limits allow your child to be rear-facing for longer, which is the safest position. Typically, convertible car seats are less portable than infant car seats. However, Orbit Baby’s convertible seat utilizes the same base as the infant car seat and can be attached to the stroller for ultimate convenience.
Exploring Stroller Styles
There are five main types of strollers:
- Full-Size Strollers: offer more features and storage. Seats often recline and they typically come with full coverage canopies for baby’s comfort.
- Jogging Strollers: All-terrain tires and locking front-swivel wheels offer the smoothest ride, guaranteeing comfort and stability on various surfaces, from city streets to jogging trails.
- Umbrella Strollers: Lightweight and compact, ideal for travel or infrequent usage
- Double Strollers: Great for families with twins or small children close in age.
- Travel Systems: Include a car seat and a stroller that can be used together, making it easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller without waking them.
The Benefits of a Travel System
For families who expect to need both a car seat and a stroller to roughly the same degree, a travel system often makes the most sense.
Travel systems are designed for an infant car seat and stroller to work together seamlessly, offering you maximum flexibility from day one.
As your baby grows, you can substitute using the infant car seat for the toddler car seat that comes standard as a part of a travel system stroller.
The benefit of a travel system is a suite of baby products that integrate well for smooth travel.
FAQ
When should I transition from an infant car seat to a convertible one?
You will want to transition from an infant car seat to a convertible one when your baby exceeds the height and/or weight limits—whichever comes first—of their infant seat.
Are expensive strollers worth the investment?
For families in urban environments or who travel frequently or otherwise rely heavily on a stroller in their daily routine, investing in an excellent luxury stroller can be a wise expenditure.
Can I use my car seat on an airplane?
You’ll want to consult your owner’s manual to be sure, but most infant and convertible car seats can be used on an airplane, provided they can be installed with a seatbelt and not just LATCH.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right car seat and stroller are two of the most important choices when it comes to preparing for your baby.
You’ll want to consider your day to day lifestyle needs and then choose the right fit for your family, whether that’s a top of the line car seat, a stroller with all the bells and whistles, or a travel system that balances both transport needs.
