A 2 in 1 Travel System
If you're looking to travel with ease or want to create a modern take on a pram, a car seat and stroller combination is the best option. Make sure to check the specifications to make sure that your stroller and car seat are compatible, or you can consider buying an adapter.
Editor-tested travel systems let you move your sleeping newborn seamlessly from the car to the stroller without disrupting them. Some travel systems include the option of a carrycot that encourages the natural sleep.
Car Seat
A 2-in-1 travel set that includes a stroller and a baby car seat that snap together. It's a great option for parents and caregivers who often run errands while with baby or take their little baby out on public transportation or rideshares. "You will have less gear to worry about," explains Graco spokesperson Rachel Stanton. "And Going On this site for families that alternate between carpooling with other moms and taking public transportation."
A top choice is the Doona infant car seat and latch base, which gets 90% of five-star reviews on Amazon. It's a rear facing car seat that can be converted into a stroller with wheels in seconds. The wheels fold underneath and the Doona is compact when not in use. The Doona can also be connected to a car's backseat by using the rigid LATCH base, or to taxi safety belts. This makes it perfect for city families.
The Mamas & Papas Pramette is yet another great car seat/stroller combination, featuring the pram having the hood as well as a front seat that open to let you lay your child down for naps or feedings. It comes with a big basket, cup holders and a sun shade for your baby's necessities. The stroller seat can recline in a variety of positions, and it can even be flat, so your baby will be comfortable for every ride.
Other important car seat features to be considered are the weight and height limits as well as whether the infant car seat can be used with just the backseat belt or has an extra layer of protection that includes an integrated LATCH system. Also look for a lock on the handle to ensure it stays secure in place and the ability to tilt the handle toward the back seatback to create an anti-rebound bar.
Travel systems are only compatible with infant car seats. Extended-use car seats that can be turned forward-facing later, cannot be converted into strollers. Many moms opt to purchase a separate car seat and stroller once their child is no longer in an infant seat.
Stroller
A stroller is an essential piece of equipment for any new parent. Some travel systems come with a baby pram which can be converted into a comfy infant carrycot. This is a great option for parents who do not want to disturb their newborn while traveling. Some brands also have carseats and strollers combo that can be connected. This means you can keep your child safely secured in the car seat and then transfer them to a stroller without disturbing them, which is great for long journeys and busy shopping centers.
A great stroller should have plenty of features that make it convenient and user-friendly. It should come with an ample basket in which you can put away essentials like nappies, toys and snacks and be in a position to recline to provide your baby a relaxing rest. It should have an umbrella to protect your child from the sun and also a lockable wheel on the front for security. It should also be light and compact for storage and transporting to and from the car.
Travel system strollers that have been tested by an editor such as the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo, Chicco Keyfit Caddy and Doona Combo all have the benefit of connecting to a variety of top car seats that can be attached to the frame and fold with ease. Some have a single wheel on each leg, which makes them easier to manoeuvre and roll across different surfaces.
Ideal strollers should be capable of carrying your child through the toddler years and beyond and allow you to continue to use it to take them to and from events, school and play dates. This is why you should consider a model that features a seat that faces the world (and reclines) when your child is no longer in the car seat.
If you are planning to use your 2-in-1 travel system for public transport choose one with an ISOFIX base to ensure that it is safe to hop on and off buses or trains. Certain models, like the Doona can be fitted on planes and trains to make traveling with your baby a lot easier.