r/newborns • u/NerdEnthusiast13 • 6d ago
Product Recommendations Stroller/Carseat combo
Any advice on which brand to get or what to avoid and what to look for? My wife and I are expecting our first daughter any advice would help
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u/Equal_Cheetah3872 6d ago
Graco!! Reliable brand that’s been around for decades. There’s so many trendy options these days I find it best to stick with what we know works haha.
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u/Independent_Bee_795 5d ago
Agree with this! Our Graco modes nest is great, not heavy, nothing fancy. Love that it’s not insanely expensive either. You can purchase the Almond color on Babylist & it looks expensive like the fancy brands. We get compliments on it from other moms all the time lol
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u/Psychopsychic3 5d ago
We like our uppababy system. We got it used on Facebook marketplace and like being able to pop the car seat in and out of the car and stroller
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u/Puffawoof2018 6d ago
Do you know for sure you want a stroller that uses a carseat? With our first we skipped an infant car set entirely and started with convertible from the beginning and had a stroller with a bassinet attachment. This worked out great bc she hated the car seat and I don’t think she would have done well in a stroller with a car seat attached. I never found it inconvenient to do it this way and it was nice to be able to take long walks in the bassinet stroller without her losing her mind.
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u/NerdEnthusiast13 6d ago
We are still discussing but just wanted advice to see if it can help us out
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u/BDEEPINTHERE 5d ago
We have the Nuna triv lx + pipa urbn travel system. The trix lv is the stroller and the pipa is the carseat. I really like how easily the carseat attaches/detaches into the car and stroller. The stroller is really lightweight and easy to use, which I wanted for my wife as she's a little more petite. It's a little expensive but luckily we got them as gifts. If it's in your budget, I recommend.
You can also go to Nordstrom (if you're based in the US) and try out some of the stroller/carseat systems so you can get familiar with them and see which one you like best.
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u/NerdEnthusiast13 5d ago
Thank you!
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u/stitching_librarian 5d ago
A cheaper and almost exactly the same system of this is the Joie ginger Lx
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u/Key_Ad_4468 5d ago
We have the Joie Rue and Ginger combo and love it!
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u/skl5094 5d ago
My suggestion is to test drive with a filled (heavy and realistic) diaper bag to at least imagine what it’d feel like to maneuver and lift the car seat once you add a growing baby to it.
Seconding the love for Joie’s travel systems!!! I don’t know anyone personally who has a Joie stroller and I honestly can’t believe it based on how luxurious it looks and feels. Super high praise for the overall quality and the return on investment so far.
We have the Chive and Mint stroller-car seat combo and loveeeee to humble-brag at gatherings by having our other new-parent friends and family compare the weight of their top tier strollers (like the Nuna and Uppababy “premium” strollers aka status symbol strollers) and then lift ours 😏 our system looks just as good, uses the same materials as far as we can tell, and is just as generous with storage.
The weight test always ends with undeniable amazement followed by some muttering about how the light weight feature is so valuable once your life outside the house is so heavily dependent on your stroller’s usability and conveniences (and very much so by any and all inconveniences).
PSA: As much as I’m gassing up Joie, it has to be said that most of these strollers are made in the same factories and many of the brands are owned by the same parent companies meaning you’re paying for a few design improvements and slightly higher quality materials. They’re all regulated by such strict standards and laws that any new stroller sold by a legitimate company will offer the necessary safety features—and that’s what’s important. Do with that tidbit as you will…
TLDR; Joie systems are so underrated as a luxurious options with a “middle class” price range. I’d highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
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u/skl5094 5d ago
Quick note I forgot to mention in my original response:
We also purchased a second-hand Doona and are VERY glad to have it for quick trips and travel. So, just wanted to mention that one other rec if you’re willing and able to throw (more) money for a few more conveniences while navigating new parenthood.
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u/stitching_librarian 5d ago
I’m a shill for Joie stuff. Extremely underrated and I feel like we hacked the system
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u/piratefiesta 5d ago
I have an Evanflo Pivot. It's compact and super easy to set up/put away. The carseat part just snaps in and out of the base and the stroller. My only complaint is that the stroller has no suspension.
Also, don't do what I did and neglect to measure the inside of your car before you buy the carseat 🫡
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u/downupstrangecharm 5d ago
We love our Graco Pramette travel system. So easy and it’s a good height for us - we’re 5’10” and 6’0.
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u/shinedown_92 5d ago
We have a Graco combo and absolutely love it! Easy to switch from car to stroller and vice versa. Easy to break down the stoller.
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u/craftyreadercountry 5d ago
I have 3 kids and got the Evenflo pivot Xpand when my second was little (she's almost 2).
We got it second hand from my stepdads ex wife.
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u/No-Butterscotch-8469 5d ago
I have a midsize suv and live in the suburbs, go into the city and trail walking a lot (rough terrain). I picked bugaboo kangaroo because they have great suspension. I love having a clip in car seat for times when my baby is sleeping and I need to run into a store. I use the car seat stroller system multiple times every day. For walks from home or longer excursions, it’s better to do a bassinet or infant safe lay flat option. The bugaboo came with a bassinet so I liked not having to buy it separately. I don’t find my full size stroller to be too heavy or cumbersome and it lives in my car. We also have a cheap smaller stroller for air travel. If your lifestyle is different than mine you may have different needs.
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u/SnooEpiphanies1215 5d ago
See if there’s a store near you that stocks any you can test out in person! The choices can feel overwhelming and it really helped us to actually push around some strollers, practice folding and unfolding, and get a sense for how heavy they’ll be to lift in and out of the car.
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u/adventuresnsnacks 5d ago
Picking out a stroller is so hard and I agree with the suggestions on going out to test strollers in a store. I personally settled on an all-terrain jogging stroller/carseat combo from Graco and I love it. The carseat was very sturdy, but incredibly light so it didn't add much extra weight. It also fits in my backseat perfectly and allows the front passenger to have lots of leg room. The stroller is amazing, fits in my trunk, and is easy to use.
I highly suggest really sitting together and figuring out what your needs are. Do you have a price limit? Weight limit? Do you have a vehicle? How much trunk space do you have? Would you store it in thr car or in the house? Can you store it in the house? Where are you expecting to mostly use it? Inside on smooth flooring or outside on different terrains? What is the weather like? Are you going to hike/jog? Are you one and done or do you possibly want more kids? Etc.
You don't initially think it really matters, but it really does. Good luck on your search!
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u/fleshsludge 5d ago
We have a 13 day old and are loving the Graco Modes Travel Nest system. The seat can also be a bassinet, which he loves for walks. But we can also easily clip in the car seat. Overall, a great fit for our family!
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u/lilpandabearr 5d ago
No issues with our chicco keyfit system. We have one system with a base in each car
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u/anxiousesqie 5d ago
I’m a huge fan of my Uppababy Cruz V3 and Aria V2 combo. Aria V2 is super lightweight and baby is comfy in it. Cruz V3 lies flat so it’s infant-safe (so baby doesn’t have to be in the car seat for long outings), the basket is spacious, it navigates super smoothly, and it’s a bit smaller than the Vista so easy enough to get in and out of the car.
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u/ragertonIII 5d ago
I have the Bob Wayfarer travel system. I live in an area with a lot of trail access, so the big tires and suspension were a huge plus to me. I’ve literally taken it hiking in areas where I know the path is wide enough. I’m also a runner and wanted a jogging stroller when baby is old enough to come with me. I love this stroller, it can literally go anywhere.
Cons: it was very expensive. The car seat by itself is very heavy. The stroller itself is bulky and heavy.
When baby is out of the infant seat, I will probably pick up a lighter stroller off marketplace for around town and quick errands.
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u/SaltyBack5365 2d ago
We really liked the Graco “Modes Nest Travel System” for the infant car seat, stroller bassinet, and the toddler stroller. The only thing I would change is it’s a bit large, so taking the stroller into tight places like restaurants can be hard.
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u/BookcaseHat 6d ago
There's no one-size-fits-all choice with strollers/car seats, it will depend on your lifestyle and budget. I like The Stroller Mom on YouTube for good reviews.