You can save time and effort by bringing an infant car seat whenever you travel. You can use the car seat in taxis and rental cars. A lot of countries require that you bring an infant car seat.
Doona is a popular product that combines a car-seat with a stroller into one. It is small enough to fit in airplane seats, and FAA approved.
1. Doona
Doona the most recent travel system/car seat to arrive on the market is a blend of both. It’s the first infant car seat that transforms into a stroller with the touch of a button, and it is available in a variety of colors and comes with an array of accessories. It’s also a great choice for families who frequently travel since it’s TUV and FAA approved for aircraft use (though you may need to gate-check the base).
As a car seat Doona offers the highest level of safety features. Its double wall structure surrounds the wheels and includes layers of EPS foam to provide extra protection in an accident. The handle also doubles as a head-protecting bar in the case of an accident. The Doona comes with a five-point safety harness that holds your child at their shoulders and hips. These are the most rigid parts of the body, securing them from the force an impact.
When you’re using Doona as stroller, you’ll discover it to be light and easy to move around. Its narrow frame makes it easy to move down most airline aisles and can be used either in a rearward-facing or forward-facing position. It’s also simple to connect the Doona base in your vehicle to ensure a secure installation.
It’s important to remember, though, that your baby will eventually outgrow Doona. If there’s less than one inch between their head and the canopy, you’ll know your baby is ready to upgrade. You can use Doona for vacations and trips until then.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a Doona We suggest shopping around for the best price. You can find Doona in stores such as Nordstrom, Target and Pottery Barn. You can also purchase gift cards or loyalty program perks/points these retailers to reduce the cost.
2. Chicco KeyFit 35
Chicco (KEY-ko) is an established brand that produces equipment that includes baby car seats, strollers and a few parents’ preferred diaper bags. It is among the largest manufacturers of infant car seats in the world. They offer some amazing choices that impressed us when we tested them. Their products have excellent crash test results, they are easy to install and use with a range of car configurations, and they work well with many of the best strollers on the market when used with the appropriate adapters (available separately).
This is our second choice and is a great choice for families that want an easy-to-install seat. to install in multiple ways and pairs well with the top strollers available. The KeyFit 35 is a good option for families that want a seat that can be put in many ways and is compatible well with many of the top strollers.
The original Keyfit, KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 are all available in “ClearTex”, which is a version that does not have any added chemicals that can cause fire (a trend that has been observed recently for juvenile products as parents become more aware of the harmful chemicals required by some car seats to comply with federal flammability standards). It’s an excellent option for families who want to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in their child’s surroundings.
All KeyFit models have a range of other features that make them stand out in our tests. The base/carrier lock uses an array of visual and audible cues to ensure that the car is correctly connected to the base. A “click” is heard when the system is in a good alignment and a simple tug on the handle of the carrier confirms that it is in the correct upright position for driving.
The KeyFit 35 has a removable head and body support for newborns for babies who weigh between 4 and 11 pounds. It adjusts with the seat so that as your baby grows, it can provide more legroom and height to the headrest to provide a greater rear-facing safety and comfort. The base comes with two stages to ensure secure installation in your car and to make it easy to transition from toddlerhood to your child once they are ready.
3. Graco SnugRide Stroller
This Graco travel system is the best option for families who want a stroller and newborn car seat seat combination. It’s compact and easy to use. It’s a great option for vacations or road trips. It’s also a great option for busy moms who don’t have lots of time to invest in installing and figuring out a new set of equipment.
The car seat can be attached easily to the stroller frame, and you can decide if you want your baby facing you or the world when connected. This car seat has great crash test ratings. If you’re on a tight budget, this is a great option, but we recommend you consider a different model if you have the wiggle room.
The car seat is fantastic because it comes with a front wheel that swivels and the base is locked into place to prevent any unintentional stroller movement. It’s also nice to see the LATCH clips stowed on the front of the base, rather than in a place that is difficult to access under the base, where they could be accidentally knocked off when you lower the car seat.
This infant seat is suitable for infants weighing between 4 and 35 lbs. This infant seat was designed for infants weighing up to 35 lbs. It uses a Lite LATCH system which is simple to install with the included instructions. The seat is lightweight and has a narrow width, so it can fit in the majority of vehicles, even when facing the opposite direction of the the belt path. The seat features an adjustable headrest that grows with your child and comes with an adjustable harness built in. The shoulder straps are adjustable in four different height positions. The crotch strap is adjustable in two different height positions. When your child weighs 12 pounds it is crucial to remove all head and body inserts.
The rethreading process used by this model for adjusting the crotch and shoulder straps isn’t our favorite. It’s not difficult, but more complicated than other seats which don’t require the rethreading. We also discovered that the crotch and head straps aren’t as deep as the straps on other models, which could put your child at risk for a crotch buckle gap during the event of a crash.
4. Baby Trend Trooper
This car seat for babies is popular with families with young children who are looking for an easy-to-transport, lightweight infant car seat. It’s also compatible with many strollers. This makes it easier for parents who travel with their children. It’s an excellent option for parents who frequently use taxis or rideshares.
This infant car seat is easily installed using either the seat belt or the LATCH system of your vehicle. It features push-on LATCH connectors with clear indicators as well as an indicator that does not twist. The seat also comes with deep side wing protection that offers additional crash protection for your child. The seat also has a convenient Delta carry handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar when needed.
It is crucial that when you install the seat with the seat belt that the shoulder strap should be at least the same height as your child’s shoulders and that the lap belt is low enough to cover your child’s legs. If the shoulder belt is too low, it could be a risk for infants. If the lapbelt is too high, your baby may shift uncomfortably in the car.
Another important thing to remember when using this seat is that it has special rules for route of the crotch buckle for infants. In particular, the manual states that you shouldn’t run the crotch buckle webbing through any other slot than the outermost one for the smallest children. This can be a hassle for some parents and could result in the buckle not being able to fit correctly.
Overall the Trooper is an excellent option for parents who want a premium infant car seat that is easy to carry and can be used in most vehicles. It’s a little heavier than other models however it comes with excellent safety features and stroller compatibility.
If you’re looking for an rotating infant car seat car seat that’s a bit more affordable, consider the Evenflo Pivot Suite LiteMax Stroller and Car Seat Combo. This combo is less expensive than other comparable options and offers superior safety and convenience for parents on a budget.