A 2 in 1 Travel System
If you want to get around with ease or you want to create a modern take on the pram, the car seat and stroller combo is the best choice. Make sure to check the specifications to ensure that your stroller and car seat are compatible or think about purchasing an adaptor.
Travel systems that have been evaluated by editors allow you to transfer your baby who is sleeping in the car to a stroller, without disrupting them. Some also include a carrycot for peaceful sleep.
Car Seat
A 2 in 1 travel set that includes a stroller and a baby car seat that snap together. This is a great choice for parents who often do errands or take their child on rides or public transport. "You have less equipment to contend with," explains Graco spokesperson Rachel Stanton. "And it's perfect for families that alternate between public transportation and carpooling with other moms."
The best option is the Doona infant car seat and latch base, which gets an astounding 90% of five-star reviews on Amazon. It's a rear facing car seat that transforms into a stroller with wheels in seconds. The wheels fold under, and it's compact when not in use. The Doona can also be attached to a car's backseat using the LATCH base, which is rigid, or to taxi-safe belt paths making it perfect for commuters and city families.
The Mamas and Papas Pramette is another top car seat/stroller combo, with a pram with an hood and a the front seat, which opens to allow you to lie your child down for naptime or feedings. It comes with a huge basket, cup holders and a sun shade to store your baby's essentials. The stroller seat can recline in various positions, and it can even be flat, so your baby will be able to relax on every ride.
Other important car seat features to consider are the weight and height limits as well as whether the infant seat can be used with just the backseat belt or has an additional layer of protection with a built-in rigid LATCH system. Look for a handle lock to keep the handle in the right place. You can tilt the handle to the seatback in the rear to create an anti-rebound bar.
Travel systems only work for infant car seats. Extended-use car seats that can be turned forward-facing later, cannot be converted into strollers. Because of this, many mothers opt to purchase a separate stroller and car seat once their baby grows out of the infant seat.
Stroller
A stroller is a vital piece of equipment for new parents. Some travel systems have a baby stroller that can transform into a comfortable infant carrycot so your child can rest comfortably while on the move, making them ideal for parents with newborns or who do not want to disturb their children when travelling. Certain brands also provide carseats and strollers combination that can be clicked together. This means that you can keep your child safely buckled up in the car seat and then transfer them to a stroller without causing any disturbance, which is ideal for long drives and busy shopping centers.
2 in 1 travel system must have plenty of features to make it functional and user-friendly. It should come with a large basket to store important items like nappies, toys, and snacks. It can also recline so that your child can sleep comfortably. It should also have a canopy to protect your child from sun and a lockable wheel on the front to ensure safety. It should also be lightweight and compact for storage and transporting to and from the vehicle.
Editor-tested travel system strollers such as the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo, Chicco Keyfit Caddy and Doona Combo all offer convenience by connecting with a range of top car seats that snap to the frame and fold up easily. Some models also have a single wheel at each leg, making them easier to manoeuvre and roll on different surfaces.
The ideal stroller will be able to endure through toddlerhood - and beyond if you require it to to transport your child to and from school, activities and play dates. This is why you should consider a model with an opening that allows your child to face the world (and reclines) after your child has outgrown the car seat.
If you intend to use your 2-in-1 travel system on public transportation you should look for models that have an ISOFIX base to ensure that it is safe to hop on and off trains or buses. Some models, like the Doona, can even be installed on trains and airplanes to make traveling with a baby even more convenient.