Infant - carseat or stroller?

[MsSpinShady]

Our daughter will be 4 months old when we go to WDW. We will take her stroller, but I'm wondering whether or not we should also bring her carseat with us (they snap together).

She does not sit up on her own yet, so if we don't take the stroller she will be forced to lay on her back most of the day, which she won't like (we will also bring a carry-pack so we can put her in there part of the time). She has a little reflux problem, so she sleeps sitting up during the day anyway, and loves being in her carseat. I don't want to carry more gear than necessary, but I don't want her to be uncomfortable and crabby all day (we have 3 other kids including a 3 1/2 year old who will sleep in the stroller when the baby is in the carry-pack). Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

MsSpinShady

 

[JennsBabySky]

How will you be traveling to WDW? Will you be flying? If so, you may want to bring your carseat to use on the plane. I've found that it is very long to hold your child in your lap during a flight. Moreover, because of safety concerns (mainly turbulence or emergency landings), it is really much safer to have your carseat.

Also, if you are flying, I would imagine that you are either taking a shuttle or rental car. In this case you would need your carseat to safely transport your baby.

Maybe try your baby in the stroller w/out the carseat while Christmas shopping. If she really hates it, then bring the carseat! However, if you will be sharing the stroller with another child, what will you do with the carseat while child #2 is sleeping. Those carseats get heavy! My daughter always loved her Baby Bjorn, but I know other children that couldn't stand them. I really liked it because it was easy to transport and lightweight.

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[MsSpinShady]

Thanks Jennifer! We're driving so we'll have the carseat anyway, but you're right, how would we lug it around when our other DD was in the stroller?

I think that's a great idea to try it out here first - in fact we should probably go purchase the carry-pack this week and try that out too. Then at least we'll know what she is most comfortable in. We thought about bringing along an umbrella stroller for our 3-yr-old and folding it up when she's walking (thanks to suggestions by others on this board!) or even just renting a park stroller for her when she gets tired, so I guess we could do either of those if the baby won't lie down in the stroller.

Hmm, so much to consider - my husband thinks I'm looney spending so much time obsessing over this stuff

MsSpinShady

 

[tjmw2727]

Another thing to consider is the effect of baby spending to much time in the carseat type carriers. I tried to find the link to the studies I had read but I can't come up with it right now. Evidently to much time "scrunched" up isn't good for posture or breathing.

If you can get baby used to it a stroller that fully reclines would be the best bet. I found a sling to be a lifesaver at wdw and around the house. I even did housework and some prep for cooking while wearing baby.

TJ

 

[castlegazer]

MsSpinShady (dancing here again)

Just one more thought. Infant seats are invaluable in restaurants. So I would say have it with you but......

We moved my DS to just sitting in the stroller without the seat prior to his ability to sit up on his own, but we had the Combi strollers that have side bumpers and additional padding around the upper straps that cradled his head and helped keep him more secure and upright while in the stroller. It also has a five point harness. The more cradling and cushioning you can get around their heads the better. Our DS didn't have to lay down all the time - which would have driven him nuts too - this way.

 

[JennsBabySky]

Hi MsSpinShady,
I've been thinking alot about your trip (probably because I'll be in the same situation in about 6 months and like to compulsively plan everything ahead of time) and I just thought of a couple things. The park strollers that you rent are great for a child too tired to walk, but not great for sleeping. If I remember correctly, I think they are like the jogging type strollers that don't recline, so if your child wanted to sleep, then you would probably have to push the stroller with the toes elevated in the air (I see this alot with umbrella strollers, but less with jogging strollers). The other option (besides a carrier) could be a double stroller, but this may be more gear than you want to bring. If you had a double stroller that could accomodate the infant seat, you would always have the second seat free, so when the 3 1/2 year old wants to sleep, that would be available or when your baby is restless in the infant car seat you could move the baby to other side. In this case, a side by side double stroller may be better because then both sides could totally recline. I think the other type of double strollers usually only allow you to fully recline one side (but I'm not sure).

The other thing to remember at the parks is that you will be in and out of line ALOT. If your baby likes the carrier that may be easier. I always found that the infant seat gets really heavy when you don't have it in the stroller. So, if you are in and out of line, you could be picking up the infant seat and moving it along in line all the time. Then when the baby is fussy, you and your dh will have a baby to hold, 2 other kids, and an empty car seat to lug. That might be a lot to handle! I have my fingers crossed that my ds will like the carrier like his sister did. Logistically I think the carrier is easier.

Please post back after your trip and let us know what worked (and what didn't). I'll be doing the same thing in the future and would love to hear some real world feedback!

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[dcgrumpy]

I think it depends on the baby and what they prefer. We took DS to WDW when he was 4mo, we used a lightweight stroller and he was fine in it and he hated the baby carrier. However DD6mo is more comfortable in the infant seat and baby carrier, so we brought it used it on our trip last week. When I try to put her in the stroller without the seat, she twists and turns trying to roll over and climb out.

 

[MsSpinShady]

Thank you all again for your thoughts and insights! I purchased a Snugli last night so I can test it out, along with the stroller without the carseat. I'll see if she likes either of those.

DCGrumpy - Our stroller does have a bassinet feature so she may like it, but I fear she will just keep rolling over and crying like your DD.

TJ - I looked for information relating to problems with babies in carseats and did find some interesting reports. Apparently there was a study showing that premature and newborn infants can encounter breathing problems if placed in a carseat for an extended period of time, particularly because of poor neck muscle control. This seems to be less of a concern once they can hold their heads up. Also, the other problem is cranial flattening when babies are on their backs all day long.

I do think the carrier would be the easiest for meal times, but it would be a problem lugging it around when our 3-year-old DD is in the stroller.

Jennifer, you're right about the rentals - we tried it out one day last year when DD was 2, and it was difficult for her to nap in and hard for her to make the long trek at night back to the car when she was tired.

I'll try out some different things this week at the mall and let you know what works best.

Thanks again for all your help!

MsSpinShady

P.S. Castlegazer --

 

[Gillian]

I'm a little late to this thread, but you may want to look into a stroller with a 5 point harness and an insert. They sell things that go through the straps to support a baby who can't quite sit up. The 5 point harness holds them in like a car seat.

I don't always use the car seat/stroller combo for my six month old. I often put her in my Maclaren with the 5 point harness. Even when she was ~2 months. It only reclines part way, but she always seems happy in it. Maybe because she can see what's going on?

The Snugli should be a life saver! We use a baby bjorn, but same idea. It leaves your hands free, lets the baby see everything, and is much easier than lugging a seat around!