Having a child is exciting and challenging, but it also involves many other decisions regarding your baby's safety. One of these decisions involves buying an infant car seat before the baby's birth so that when the little guy or gal arrives, you can all travel safely and comfortably.
Interestingly, Forbe's article "Putting Your Newborn In A Car Seat? 95% Of People Do It Wrong" cites a study of 300 parents installing infant seat in their cars. More than half of these parents had older kids, and the study found that only 5 % of parents correctly positioned their babies and the car seats. Even worse, about half of these families made further car seat installation mistakes.
In this article, let's take a look at the two best car infant seat stroller combos in the market and what factors parents should consider when buying a car seat and stroller combo.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Stroller Size and Portability
Stroller size and portability are perhaps some of the key considerations parents need to take into account when buying a stroller and car seat stroller combo for their child. Following are some factors as to why this is an important consideration:
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An infant car seat carrier combined with a stroller offers unmatched convenience and maneuverability, especially for families who are always on the go. This versatile solution allows you to seamlessly transfer your baby from the car seat to the stroller without the need to lift or disturb them.
Age, Weight, and Size Limits
When purchasing an infant car seat, always ensure it is appropriate for your child's age and size. Many infant car seats are designed for children aged 3 months to 3 years, but parents often assume they can accommodate toddlers beyond this range—which isn't always true. Choose a combo that is not only age-appropriate but also flexible enough to accommodate growing children comfortably.
Car seat stroller combos come with specific limitations, particularly when it comes to accommodating your growing child. Most combos are designed to fit infants weighing between 5 to 40 pounds, typically suitable for toddlers. Be sure to choose a model with adjustable features like a handlebar, storage basket, and latch system to maximize usability during this period.
Installation
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the importance of proper installation when using a car seat stroller combo—a critical yet often overlooked aspect. According to the AAP Guidelines for Selecting and Using the Most Appropriate Car Safety Seats, the safest place for a car seat is in the back seat of the vehicle. Infants and toddlers should always be securely placed in the back, as the front seat poses significant safety risks. Under no circumstances should an infant or car seat ever be positioned in the front seat. Prioritizing proper installation ensures maximum safety for your child during travel.
Here are some AAP guidelines and recommendations for installing the infant car seat base into your vehicle:
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The children, until they are at least one year of age and weigh 20 lb, should be seated in the back seat of the car facing the rear end of the vehicle.
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Another recommendation for kids' protection is that the top of their head should ALWAYS be below the top of the car seat, and they should be placed safely in a car seat facing the back of the car.
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Car seats that support large weights, such as convertible seats, are strongly recommended for children over 12 pounds.
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When installing a car seat, you should not place an infant or toddler seat at the front of the car with an airbag feature, as they can cause serious brain injury when they hit the child on the face or head.
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The safest position to place a kid or baby in the car is the back seat.
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Parents should read the manual carefully before installing the car seat. Once they've installed it, they should check that it's well-adjusted and is fit enough for their child. If there are any compatibility issues, they should check with the company.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is another feature of a car seat-stroller combo that you should not ignore. When we talk about maneuverability, there are two things to consider in this scenario. For one thing, the complete combo should be lightweight to be able to carry it around and maneuver. The car seat and stroller combo are a complete package, which means you'll be carrying around extra wheels and weight. However, if the complete structure is lightweight, you can easily carry it. This will make your transition from car seat to stroller and vice versa easy and simple.
Pro-tip: Here is another important thing to consider before buying a car seat stroller combo. Test its foldability. Can you fold it with one hand? Chances are, you'll be carrying the baby with the other, so it should have one-hand portability as well.
Another factor to consider regarding ease of maneuvering is a car seat combo with sturdy and flexible stroller wheels. This way, you can travel on rough terrain and uneven surfaces without waking your baby. In this regard, rotating wheels are the best option for strollers because they allow you to travel with ease and offer a smooth ride and handling.
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Doona Pushchair
Doona has some of the most amazing stroller and car seat combos, but perhaps the most popular one is Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller Nitro Black. With the innovative technology with which this stroller combo is built, you can turn your car seat into a stroller in a matter of seconds. Doona provides a free and effortless adventure and journey by train, air, or car due to its smooth transition.
Weight: 16.5 lbs/7.5 kgs (product weight)
Stroller Dimensions: 38.9" W x 17.3" L x 32.2" H/ 99 cm x 44 cm x 82 cm
Folded Dimensions: 23.6" W x 17.3" L x 25.9" H/60 cm x 44 cm x 66 cm
Weight Limit: newborn to 28.6 lbs/13 kgs toddler
Pros:
Follows European safety standards:
The company follows European standards for car seats and strictly adheres to protocols for child safety while driving. Therefore, its products offer safety features that are not found in other car seats. You will be happy to know that the company and its products follow European standards for cradles, prams, and car seats: EN1888, EN12790, and ECE R44.
Innovation:
By introducing state-of-the-art products with cutting-edge technology, Doona ensures their products have distinctive designs, superior quality, and usefulness. They design products that offer practical answers for the busy modern family.
Furthermore, their products are made from premium eco-friendly plastics, are free of corrosion aluminum, and have very durable wheels. The company has introduced this new trend of using sustainable cutting-edge stroller and car seat safety to the child safety industry.
Cons:
Higher cost:
While many benefits are associated with using an infant car seat and stroller combo, the upfront cost could be higher than that of a single or standalone car seat or stroller. Therefore, parents who want to buy with a budget in mind may have to choose another brand that provides the same solutions at a cost-effective price.
Short-term usability:
Infant car seats and stroller combos are designed for infants' safety but may not suit older kids as they grow. You'll likely need to upgrade to a toddler car seat as your child gets bigger.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide
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Weight: 29.0 lbs/13.15 kgs
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Stroller Dimensions: 18.0'' W x 18.0'' D x 31.0'' H /45.7cm x 45.7cm x 78.74 cm
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Folded Dimensions: 17" W x 29" D x 16" H/43.18cm x 73.6 cm x 40.6 cm
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Weight Limit: 3.0 - 35.0 lbs/1.3-13.6 kgs
Pros:
Here are the advantages of buying this amazing stroller combo:
For optimal car safety, this infant car seat and stroller combo is unmatched, thanks to its SensorSafe technology. Connected via Bluetooth, it alerts you to four critical risks:
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Your child has been in the car seat too long.
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Your child is left unsupervised.
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The car’s temperature is too hot or cold.
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The chest safety clip is unbuckled.
This ensures peace of mind while keeping your little one safe.
Seamless installation:
The combo also includes technology that provides quick, strong installation of your car seat, which will not unbuckle easily.
Here's a video where you can see how quick and seamless the transition is from the car seat to the stroller. One minute, you're in the car, and the next minute, you're one street. It can't get any better than this.
Cons:
Higher cost upfront:
$549 is a lot for a stroller-infant combo, although the technology used in the making of this rear-facing car seat kind of complements the price. As mentioned before people with a budget in mind may not prefer this car seat and stroller combo. We cannot call it a budget-friendly product and this is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of this product.
For this pricing, they should have included other features in this infant car seats and a stroller combo.
For more options in car seat combos and baby gear, see Chicco infant car seats, Champ infant car seat and Litemax infant car seat.
Complex technology:
Although they have used state-of-the-art technology to ensure the best safety of the children, not every parent has the understanding to make use of these technologies. The best option in this regard is to make sure you have easy-to-use technology for every parent of every caliber so that they don't fall into the hassle of installing the cars, which may backfire.
Summary on the Best Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Choosing the best infant car seat and stroller combo is a significant decision that ensures your baby’s safety and comfort while simplifying your daily routine. By focusing on key factors like stroller size and portability, age and weight limits, proper installation, and maneuverability, you can find a combo that fits your lifestyle and your child’s needs. With the right choice, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your little one is safe, secure, and ready to explore the world with you.
