How does the idea of travelling with your baby without waking him up from his nap sound to you? Amazing right! Then a baby travel system is what you need. Baby travel systems are a combination of stroller and detachable car seat which helps you get around with the baby easily.
Should I invest in baby travel system?
If you are on your toes often or driving usually, then a baby travel system is an investment you should make. Moreover, you can conveniently carry your baby while she is sleeping without disturbing her or waking her up. Since you can carry the entire seat from your car and place it on a stroller or vice versa, the inconvenience is completely eliminated. Also, the baby travel systems are designed in a way that they are light weight and potable. So you can easily carry your baby in them, dismantle it and carry it anywhere with you placed in your car’s hood. Even if you do not own a car or do not drive often, travel systems are durable and convenient enough to pick your baby from home and go out on a stroll in a pushchair.
Pros and Cons of a Travel System:
Pros:
- Travel systems make it easier for you to carry your baby from the car to the pushchair or the crib without waking the baby up.
- It’s an all in one entity that helps you carry your baby anywhere without any hassle. It acts like a stroller, pushchair, baby car seat, baby capsule and a carrycot.
- The travel system can also function as a bassinet allowing your baby a disturbance free sleep.
- It is easily compatible to a car’s seat and a pram and thus you can wrap your baby up, put him to sleep and carry anywhere.
- Lot of room for bags and other items that you might pick up for your baby at the store.
- The can easily carry kids up to 2 years of age and thus a good investment.
Cons:
- They appear bulkier than normal stroller.
- Might be heavy on the pocket for some.
Best baby Travel systems:
Graco Lite Rider Click Connect Travel System
The Graco Lite Rider Click Connect Travel System consists of the LiteRider Click Connect stroller and SnugRide 22 infant car seat and is lightweight and comes with additional features of a baby tray with cup holders and a basket which you can use to keep small baby stuff instead of carrying them in a diaper bag. The stroller has a robust suspension, and seating is soft and padded which provides overall comfort to the baby. The infant car seat comes with an adapter at the base which makes it extremely convenient to attach and detach from the car seat and stroller and vice versa. The deep padding in the seat and can be used for babies weighing up to 13 kgs. The Graco SnugRide infant car seat has a 5-point harness system and an adjustable canopy which can be pulled up to protect the baby from the sunlight.
Chicco Cortina Travel System
Chicco Cortina Travel System features Key Fit 30 infant car seat and Cortina stroller. This is one of the most durable travel systems in the list and is appropriate for newborns too. The weight is however much more than the Graco travel system, weighing up to 45.9 Kgs. The Key Fit 30 infant seat is comfortable for newborns and can withstand a weight of up to 13kgs. With an adapter base on the seat and reclining, the infant seat also has a bubble-level indicator which ensures that the seat is fitted at an appropriate angle. The seat also features an EPS energy absorbing foam on the sides to provide safety and protection against side crashes. The stroller is comparatively lighter in weight and can be easily folded with one hand. The accompanying basket is suitable enough to hold any other baby stuff like diapers, toys to feeding bottles.
Graco Mirage Plus Travel System
The Graco Lite Rider Click Connect Travel System did not have the reclining feature and the shortcoming is bridged with the Graco Mirage Plus Travel system consisting of 3 level reclining- reclining up to 100 and 150 degrees, along with safety harness to safely hold newborns in it. Graco Mirage Plus Travel System consists of the Graco junior infant car seat and Graco Mirage Plus Stroller. The stroller is light in weight and can be folded with one hand making it one of the most preferred choices with caregivers and guardians.
Chicco Neuvo Travel System
Chicco Neuvo Travel System consists of the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat and Chicco Neuvo stroller. Much like the Chicco Cortina Travel System the infant car seat comes with an adapter base, foot levelling, bubble level indicator ensuring that the seat is fitted at an appropriate angle, 5-point safety harness and one pull seat belt adjustment features. The stroller is can hold up to a weight of 25kgs and consists of a child and parent tray letting you snack during one of your trips. The stroller however is heavy and cannot be folded with one hand, the product overall is a lot more sturdy and robust.
R For Rabbit Chocolate Ride Travel System
R For Rabbit Chocolate Ride Travel System is much lighter on your pocket compared to the travel systems of Chicco and Graco and comprises of Chocolate Ride stroller and the car seat. It comes with a 5-point harness, reversible handle, adjustable foot rest and removable cup tray. The Stroller is light in weight and is simpler and easier to use. However, it has certain drawbacks of less cushioned seats and no adapter base, which means you have to attach it to the car seat using the seat belts. The infant car seat has a 3-point safety harness and a canopy to protect the baby from harsh rays of the sun. Though the build may not be as sophisticated as that of the other brands discussed; given the price, the travel system is one of the best options in terms of safety, durability and ease of use.
