I am pregnant and I am trying get a jump start in choosing a stroller and carseat. Any advice?
Sandra from NC
a GRANDBAY IS DUE HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND......
STROLLERS
Graco One Hand Folded Literider
Features a one handed folding system, which allows you to fold it at the touch of a button. However we have heard that it can be difficult to close for some. The seat has a 4 position recline and the removable and washable pads are very easy to clean. This stroller also provides a removable snack tray and large storage basket. Like most inexpensive umbrella strollers this one is not as durable as some of its competitors but as umbrella strollers go, it rates high due to the extra features offered at a reasonable price.
Peg Perego Aria MT
The Peg Perego Aria MT one of the more expensive lightweight strollers, but its features allow the Aria to be used as a full-time stroller. A multi-position reclining seat, carry strap, five-point harness, roomy seat and basket, removable child tray, parent cup holder and sunshade are all standard on this 10 pound stroller. A universal car seat attachment strap allows this stroller to hold any infant car seat, too. The Peg Perego Aria MT is a great choice for families who travel a lot.
CAR SEATS
Britax Companion
A great car seat that is well rated for safety and comfort. It comes with a base, head rest built in as well as a hood. The removeable padding which is comfort for your baby from newborn up. The base is easy to install and the car seat goes in and comes out easily. The car seat itself is heavy. While this may lead to safety it does make it more difficult to lug baby around in. This hasn't stopped parents from dragging a sleeping baby around yet, but it's worth knowing. The built in hood keeps the sun and other elements off the baby. The five point harness is easily adjusted to fit your baby
The Britax Boulevard car seat rear-faces from 5-33 lbs. and forward-faces to 65 lbs., so your baby gets plenty of use from this car seat. The Boulevard has height-adjustable side impact protection, something lacking in other convertible seats, and the infant pad provides a better fit for small babies over other car seats. The non-twisting straps, plush but washable cover, built-in lockoffs and top tether for rear- and forward-facing make the Boulevard an all-around winner.
Fisher Price Stay-In-View
This infant seat has several unique features that we really like. The seat is offered with both a five point and three point harness and both models come with a sunshade canopy. One of the features that set this seat apart is the padded carry handle. They have replaced the hard plastic handle with one that is soft and can be worn over the shoulder. The new design allows you to carry the seat in front of you instead of at your side. Another plus is that you no longer have to worry about whether or not you remembered to put the handle down when you installed it in the car (keeping the handle up could cause severe injuries in an accident) because it just falls to the side. The seat can be used until your infant reaches 20 lbs. The base has a built in mirror that allows you to see your child in your rear view mirror. One word of caution, you may spend too much time gazing at your little bundle instead of watching the road!
Consumer Reports just did a test on 12 infant car seats and only 3 of them didn't fail the test for safety. Only 2 of them performed really well. They were the "Baby Trend Flex Lock" and the "Graco SnugRide with EPS".
The one touch button feature is nice but you also have to make sure that you can easily fit the stroller in the trunk of your car or back of an SUV or whatever you have. That's the biggest drawback to some of the strollers, they're just way too bulky & even if you can collapse it with one hand, you have to wrestle with it to get it in the car. For a newborn, I like the ones w/ the carseat that pops out of the stroller, then the stroller can be used alone when the baby can sit upright. After that, a decent umbrella stroller is fine.
Congratulations! No advice on strollers, but I wish you the best in the pregnancy and in your child's life.
Go to the store and take them for a test drive!!! At Babies R us they have them on display---stroll them around and fold them up and unfold it. See which works best for you.
the only piece of advice i could give would be do not buy a second hand car seat or accept a used one from a friend as it is a false economy and could be dangerous in the event of a car crash, congratulations on your baby
Best advice? Make sure you walk it around the store to be sure it fits your stride. My sister received a stroller at her shower and it was awful! We bumped our shins on it all the time. It was easier (and less painful) to just carry the baby.
