If you get a convertible car seat that goes from birth to 6 yrs...?

Question

like the Britax Marathon, what exactly do you use for an infant stroller?

For example, I have found strollers for infant carriers and then others that recommend use only after 6 months (when baby has enough head support).

So what do you use for a stroller if you opt for a convertible seat from infancy over the infant carrier?

Answer 1

You just make sure you get one that can lie flat, and many do this. Yes, lots of strollers say you can only use them from 4 months and up or 6 months and up, but there are strollers out there that say from birth. Sometimes they will be the higher end strollers, but that's a blessing in disguise. The stroller is a seriously important piece of baby gear b/c its one thing you will be using for several years so you want it to last and grow with your child. The cheap ones (Graco, Evenflo, Cosco/Safety1st) just don't last the 4 years that you need them to. Whereas the higher end ones are higher quality. If you buy a cheap one, odds are you will have to buy another one at some point, which makes the cheap strollers not so cheap anymore. Check eBay or craigslist to get a higher end one (Maclaren, Peg Perego, Chicco) for cheaper.

On another note, you can not use the Britax Marathon from birth b/c the bottom harness slots are too tall (10 inches) to fit a newborn properly. This is actually true of a lot of convertible seats. I hate infant seats, but if you want a convertible from birth you have to be careful to get one that will make it so that the bottom most slots will be at or below the baby's shoulders. At the moment there's really on 2:

The Evenflo Triumph Advance (not the original Triumph, make sure it says Advance) is a great seat. $150 version at Babies R Us has padding similar to Britax seats, top slots of 17", harnesses to 35lbs rear facing, and 50lbs forward facing. $120 Walmart version just has little less plush padding. Wide open belt path, easy to install, though it doesn't have built in lockoffs. The harness adjusts at the front of the car seat, you don't have to take the car seat out of the car just to raise/lower the straps. It's one of only 2 seats that does this (The Britax Boulevard is the other, I believE), and it has infinite harness adjustment so the harness always fits perfectly until its outgrown. No more tugging straps to tighten them either. You tighten and loosen the harness using k***s on the side of the seat. As a major bonus, it can be used in a recline position even in forward facing mode. Awesome for kids who still sleep in the car. I LOVE THIS SEAT! LOL My son, who is too big for every other car seat at Walmart has the same amount of room in this as the Britax Marathon.

Cosco Scenera - $50 at Walmart/Kmart/Target. Great seat for the price. Goes up to 35lbs rear facing, 40lbs forward facing. Great rear facing seat, but is outgrown very quickly forward facing b/c of short top slots and short shell. You'll still get you're $50 worth out of it, though, as it will last most kids to at least 2 years, quadruple the amount of time of an infant seat!

As you're shopping, remember these rules about seats:

1)the BEST seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly 100% of the time. (This is why convenience features DO make a difference and ARE worth the money! If its easy to use, you're more likely to use it correctly.

2)Children should stay rear facing AS LNOG AS POSSIBLE!!!! The 20lbs/1 year rule is outdated and provides a bare minimum for turning kids forward facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend keeping kids rear facing as long as possible, up to the limits of their seat, preferably until at least 2 years of age. For good reason: A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age. A child's vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone. In other countries, rear facing 2 - 3 - 4 year olds is standard, they understand that its safer. Here, we turn them as soon as we get to, seeing it as a right of passage thing or something. Ridiculous. Most convertible seats have a 30lbs rear facing limit, Cosco/Dorel/Safety1st/Eddie Bauer seats rear face to 35lbs, Britax rear faces to 33lbs.

3)Once you do turn them forward facing, they need to stay in a 5 point harness as long as possible. 4 years/40lbs is the minimum for riding in a booster, and most 4 year olds have no business using one yet. If they can't sit upright for an entire trip, they need the harness of a car seat still. And, even if they do sit properly, a 5 point harness is safer, so you want to keep them in one as long as possible. This is important to consider b/c most car seats only forward face to 40lbs. My son just turned 3, and is in the 95th% for height and weight - 40" tall and weighs 41lbs. He outgrew the 40lbs seats shortly after his 2nd birthday. It was a total waste of money.

Answer 2

That's very simple actually. All you have to do is find a stroller that reclines completely.

Some of my favorites:

Graco Quattro Tour (I have the Deluxe in Milan so it came with rubber wheels too, and it works great for tall parents)

Chicco Cortina (works well, but not for tall parents)

Peg Perego Pliko P3 (ok, but mostly plastic)

Phil and Ted's jogger.

PS all but the Phil and Ted's also turn into a bassinet (the foot rest comes up to make a mini-bed)

I absolutely love my Graco actually, however it is a bit heavy at 30lbs. I still wouldnt trade it for anything....except the BOB Revolution jogger in chocolate and pink.... hmm

Answer 3

you could still get with one of those types that go with the infant carriers because they lay flat for the baby.  Or just stick with a carrier (sling, wrap) for the first six months.  The baby will be really small so not so heavy on the back.  

Answer 4

I agree with d.  Most stollers are able to lie flat for baby, and then sit up as they get older.  

The sling!!!!!  I LOVE my sling!!!!  I would definitely recommend trying it out!  I thought it was the stupidest thing I had ever seen, until I tried it.  Baby was right next to me, usually sleeping.  I had 2 free hands to tend to my shopping list and my toddler.  AWESOME!

Answer 5

Britax has EXCELLENT reviews.

All you have to do is decline the seat all the way back and put blankets down in the stroller to cradle the baby.You don't need a carrier.