BTDT Moms (carseats/travel systems)

Chelnae6 · #1 January 18th, 2010, 06:24 AM

Did any of you use travel systems?

Are they really convenient?

I have a travel system on my carseat but then started looking at carseat safety and like some of the ones that are not travel systems. But I heard that they're easy to get the child in and out of the car esp when in a hurry, but the strollers are often bulky.

Any suggestions, experiences, advice?

bittersweet · #2 January 18th, 2010, 06:38 AM

Well, no experience...but I made my purchase based on the experience of a good friend of mine.

I have a Graco SnugRide. Popular, safe, afforadble seat. It has a travel system that goes with it, but we aren't using it. Instead we bought the BOB Revolution jog stroller. It is not intended for newborn use, however, it has an infant car seat insert....so it essentially becomes a travel system until the baby is big enough to be in the stroller alone. This stroller is great for me b/c we love being outside, jogging, going to parks, down trails, etc.

I would buy a stroller that will stand the test of time. Something you will use through their toddler years and with the next baby. Most strollers that arent part of a traditional travel system have adapters that you can use with popular infant seats.

I heard the same thing about the travel system strollers not being great once you arent using them with the infant seat anymore. They break down and are hard to maneuver....but I dont know this info first hand, just hear say.

**jessie** · #3 January 18th, 2010, 06:49 AM

I would get the infant seat you like without the travel system. If you get a seat that attaches with the LATCH hooks, it is super easy to pop in and out.

I have a small car (2 door Honda coupe), so I was conscious about size. They really don't sell the traditional travel systems over here, but I thought about getting one in the states. Wow, those things are huge. I could never see myself using one.

I can't really think of an instance when I have needed one. When I go to the grocery store, I just pop out the seat and put it in the shopping cart. When I went on walks in the early days, I would either put him in a carrier or use my Jeep jogging stroller that had a big recline. Babies can go into an umbrella stroller already at 3 months, which are so much easier to handle and maneuver. I really love my Maclaren Quest Sport.

I know some people swear by them though, so it's more of a personal decision.

ETA: Here is the insert thingy I put into the jogging stroller to give him some head support. Worked well- Amazon.com: Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support, Ivory Terry: Baby

Chelnae6 · #4 January 18th, 2010, 06:53 AM

Yeah I too see myself just popping out the infant seat and putting it in the shopping cart than in the stroller. esp if its just me. I want an infant carseat for this specific reason.

My concern is when I go to shopping malls or just want to take a walk outside. I'm all for things that are more durable, easy to use and last a long time.

midnight_starr · #5 January 18th, 2010, 06:55 AM

I plan to get a travel system!

**jessie** · #6 January 18th, 2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~ChelNae6~

My concern is when I go to shopping malls or just want to take a walk outside. I'm all for things that are more durable, easy to use and last a long time.

You could get an infant carrier like a Baby Bjorn or the like. Also, they sell like frames for carseats that are such cheaper and more lightweight than a travel system stroller. I have a Maxi Cosi seat and this is the carseat adapter for that seat Amazon.com: EasyWalker Sky Carseat Adapter: Baby , but I know they are made for most brands of seats. I don't have one, but I can see how they could be useful.

fromGirltoMommy · #7 January 18th, 2010, 07:54 AM

I have the Evenflo Aura Select, Georgia Stripe travel system and I LOVE it. The stroller part could be smaller but its has all the features that I love. Its sooo easy to push and even has a one handed push in case Im carrying her. The carseat is SOOOOOO easy to pop in and out of the car, its great esp in the winter so she doesnt have to go in and out of the nasty cold. Which is a HUGEEE plus for where I live. I definitely think its worth it to get it. Just IMO though

Frozendesire · #8 January 18th, 2010, 08:33 AM

I like the ability to pop in and out the carseat with out disturbing baby. Usually after a few months though, it gets really annoying to use haha, usually before the weight/height limit is reached too.

I find the strollers SO bulky. I used mine only for the carseat then got a smaller one after (especially since my travel system wouldn't even fit into my MIL's car).

With that said with this baby I'll use my double stroller as travel system since almost any carseat can be snapped into it. Only for the first little bit, then I think I'll be wearing baby more.

I didn't see it too much of a hassle once Dustin was a bit older to just tuck him into the moby wrap.

Anyways, those are just my thoughts!

Mars · #9 January 18th, 2010, 10:44 AM

I loved the infant car seat but I didn't get the travel system because I find them too bulky and Barbados is very stroller/wheel chair friendly. (They are improving though). As Steph said, it's great to be able to pop the baby in and out without disturbing them if they're asleep. I got a lightweight stroller for Amara which she used from 6 months onward.

~*sierra*~ · #10 January 18th, 2010, 10:47 AM

from my experience using the infant seat with my nephew i will not be getting one, or a travel system. it was a pain to get him into it, and at like 2 months old he already was looking big in it, i just feel like its a waste cause they outgrow it so fast. i plan to get a convertible car seat (infant-toddler). The stroller of the travel system we used was HUGE and heavy, i found it way easier to put baby in the sling, then i had both hands free too. i will likely get a stroller as well but i have no idea which one, they all look way too bulky to me!

szczepanski · #11 January 18th, 2010, 11:06 AM

We are skipping the infant seat and going straight to the convertible. Even if we had an infant seat, I'd be wearing him most of the time anyways so it would just stay in the car. So I took the money I would spend on the infant seat and spent it on my babyhawk.....and I got a ring sling and I *think* I'll order a moby too!

I registered for a stroller and as of right now it is the only thing purchased off my registry, hahahaha. The irony.

~*Bethy*~ · #12 January 18th, 2010, 11:45 AM

We will be getting one (they are a must for us) but I doubt well get a stroller - only because I tend to wear baby, and going out and about with 2 other kids, I need free hands yo! Then again strollers ARE nice for when your out shopping and need a place to put bags

handles make for awesome bag holders! If we do get a stroller well probably get a smaller version of the huge strollers, just so we have something on hand

~Beth

Chelnae6 · #13 January 18th, 2010, 11:53 AM

I thought about just getting a convertible (haha I cant believe that I use to think convertible carseats were carseats made for convertibles

) b/c the baby will probably only use the car seat for a few months.

I did put a convertible on the registry as well for Wills car.

~*Bethy*~ · #14 January 18th, 2010, 12:03 PM

Talking about babies only being in them a few months - youd be surprised. Ian was a big baby (not fat just long and big boned) he was out of his carrier at 4 months. Morgan being almost 7lbs, was in her carrier until about 14 months. Even then she was only 18lbs. I think it depends on the baby, and their soooo much easier to use than convertibles!!

Frozendesire · #15 January 18th, 2010, 12:05 PM

Honestly... if you didn't get an infant carseat, you most likely wouldn't miss it. I've heard lots of moms that don't and do just fine without. You'll get used to whatever "system" you decide on.

Trannyfromtheuk · #16 January 18th, 2010, 12:06 PM

personally i wouldnt bother with the travel system.

I loved the way it monuverd but the practacality of it was zero!

ScottishBrit · #17 January 18th, 2010, 01:49 PM

I HATE HATE HATE My Travel System!!!!!!! I wish I would have done more research on it. I got It as a gift at my baby shower. All I heard is how great it is to pop the car seat in and out and for some of the time it was. HOWEVER I never new that Eddie Bauer ( Which is the one we got, I believe it's called endevor?) is not compatible with anything! I could never use one of those frames you just pop the car seat on or when I need a double stroller I can't pop it on those cause it doesn't fit. Plus It's really deep in and Cambria hated the thing. There are so many other strollers that are compatible with different car seats and thats what I should have got. Im hoping we can just buy a Peg Preggo Car seat cause It will pop on My Peg Perego and Macclaren that we have also.

ShannonMVT · #18 January 18th, 2010, 04:34 PM

I got an infant carseat and a smaller travel system stroller to go with it. I probably wouldn't miss the stroller. There have been only a couple times that I put him in the stroller while still in the carseat from the car. I do use the stroller for walks around the neighborhood but you could do fine with a nicer umbrella stroller if that's what you wanted. I'm okay with our choice but it's not a biggie to me. I do need some kind of stroller b/c he's really heavy for me to wear for long periods of time, even with a nice carrier (beco).
The infant carseat has been a MUST though, he just now went to a convertible. I loved not having to wake him up when he was asleep if I was going to the grocery store or whatever. It was also convenient during the winter to not have to take him out of his carseat when taking him in someplace.

~*sierra*~ · #19 January 18th, 2010, 05:13 PM

Amy my nephew's travel system is eddie bauer too, i despise the buckle on the infant seat!! it drove me nuts, having to hold the two pieces together and try to get the buckle snapped....argh! eddie bauer sucks!