Besides the sleepless nights and lots of spit-ups (worth the work, though!), one of the challenges new parents face is how to travel with your little one. From baby strollers to car seats, there is so much to think about when you’re going out of town, or simply running errands outside the house.
Fortunately, parents can now rely on travel systems, which can make traveling with your little one much easier. This is a combination of a stroller and car seat, which you can invest in separately or as a package.
But with the many travel systems available today, which one is the best to purchase? Read on to find out!
How to Choose the Best Baby Travel Systems
It can be a bit confusing trying to find the one and perfect baby travel system of the many available. To help narrow down your choices, here are important things to consider as you do your research:
- Types of Travel Systems
There are different types of travel systems you can invest in, such as:
- Jogging strollers are great for athletic parents, having one wheel in front and two wheels behind to jog safely with your little one.
- Compact travel systems are ideal for both travel and storage. They are lighter and a better fit for those who go on car rides often, or if they own a smaller car.
- Budget travel systems are for frugal parents on a strict budget, coming at lower prices without scrimping on the quality. But take note that not all budget options are created equally!
- Premium travel systems are a bit high in price but offer most, if not all, you need in a travel system for your little one to stay comfortable.
As I said above, car seats and strollers would usually come as a package when getting a baby travel system. However, you can opt to invest in a separate stroller and car seats, if you feel like one component is unequal towards the other. If so, you can simply find an adapter to easily snap on the car seat and stroller, even if they come from different brands.
The Car Seat
One of the first things to think about when selecting a baby travel system is its car seat. This is what keeps your little one safe when in moving cars, so you need to be careful with what you get.
The car seat should be easy to install and use, having a 5-point harness system. I recommend getting one that is installed without any travel base for those who would change vehicles often and quickly.
Remember to check the car seat’s safety features to ensure not only a smooth ride but a safe one for your baby. It should be padded with soft and hypoallergenic materials, with a comfortable harness that’s easy to adjust to keep your little one cozy and strapped on.
The Stroller
There are various shapes and sizes when selecting strollers for baby travel systems. As mentioned, you can find the premium and full-sized feature-packed strollers, or even jogging strollers!
Regardless of the type you get, make sure that your stroller fits in your vehicle before you are set on a certain design. You can find foldable ones for storage and easy assembly, light enough to prevent weighing down your car.
Wheels and Suspension System
For those who want to use the travel system all the way until your little ones turns into a toddler, it’s important to find one with an excellent suspension system and adequate wheels to provide a smooth ride. This is important especially during the first weeks and months. Your newborn should not feel any bumps and shocks, as this can affect their spine and put them at risk of diseases.
Size and Weight
Your travel system’s frame should be lightweight, but with a balance of strength and stability. While it would be easy to use car seats as strollers, a toddler would weigh even more, which is why it needs to be light enough for both car and stroller seat while still being able to carry your little one as he grows.
Key Features to Focus On
Besides what I mentioned above, there are a few key features you should focus on getting no matter what type of travel system you invest in:
- Adjustable handles if you have more than one family member using the travel system, which can be set according to your height
- Reversible seats and handles for rear-facing and forward-facing seats to ensure comfort and safety
- One-hand fold feature to make storage much more convenient
- Storage space and cup holders so you can fit in a few small necessities and your baby’s bottles
Wrapping It Up
Baby travel systems offer a variety of benefits, from convenience to ease of use. This makes it safer to travel with your little one no matter where you’re going, whether via plane, train, car, or for walks. Just make sure that you select the most suitable baby travel system made for you and your baby’s needs.
Hopefully, this short guide on selecting the best baby travel systems helped you out! Don’t wait any longer and look into these tips as you invest in your baby’s necessities now.
Do you have questions or want to share tips and experiences on purchasing a baby travel system? Share them in the comments section below, I appreciate all of your thoughts!
