New Mom To Be Overwhelmed

[NotUrsula]

A Peg Pliko is a comfy as any baby can possibly want to be, and will hold ANY infant carseat wedged on the napper bar.

Don't buy a travel system -- you DON'T NEED ONE and the strollers that come with them are almost always steel behemoths.

Any Mac other than the Volo is fine for an infant, but without a napper bar you won't have the option of wedging a carseat. If you are determined to only own one stroller, the Pliko is the best all-round option.

PS: A travel system is NOT safer. It is bad for a baby's spine to spend hours in a carseat unless you are actually driving during that time, when the crash safety outweighs the spinal stress. You want a small baby to lie as flat as possible in a stroller for long-period use.

 

[lilybrooke14]

Which Mac can an infant lie flat in? I've only seen two models in person, and the one that reclined only went back about halfway because there was a bar in the back that wouldn't let it go down farther.

You don't have to own a travel system, but you also don't HAVE to get, well....most baby products. Boppies, changing table pads, crib bedding sets, jumping toys, any toys, bouncy seats, swings, those little baby bathtubs....all things you can do without, but they're nice to have. I'd just go to the store, try them out, and see what you're most comfortable with.

Oh, and baby will grow out of the carseat somewhere between six and 12 months, but most of the big strollers (and the Mac, which is why everyone loves them ) go up to 50lbs. Honestly, I've got both. The travel system primarily when DD2 was younger (although we still use it for long day trips) and the smaller one for most running around.

But then again, I'm kind of a stroller junkie.

 

[Elmo888]

Ooops...sorry, OP, I just read your last post more carefully...I am not sure I would go with just a separate stroller for a 2 month old. They are just so tiny and very very slumpy. They won't sit up at all and will start to slump over in any kind of stroller...that's why I recommended the travel system.

Maybe I misread your post...but I wouldn't advise putting a 2 month old in a regular stroller, any brand...I think it wasn't until about 6 months or more (don't remember, maybe 4, but definitely not 2 months) that I felt like he could sit up without looking super uncomfortable and slouched over in a regular stroller...

Again, maybe I misread your post but just wanted to add my 2 cents...good luck and have a great time no matter what you do!!!

There are strollers that are suitable for a newborn. Check the labeling - it will either say something like "suitable for newborn and up" or something like "full recline". The recline needs to be close to flat for newborns. For example, the Peg Perego Pliko P3 is suitable for newborns as is one of the Maclarens (the Techno?). There are others (I'm just more familiar with those two brands).

If you know that your newborn will be in a stroller for an extended period, such as at WDW or long walks, I would definitely make sure that the one that you choose is suitable for newborns.

 

[Elmo888]

Which Mac can an infant lie flat in? I've only seen two models in person, and the one that reclined only went back about halfway because there was a bar in the back that wouldn't let it go down farther.

According to Maclarenbaby.com, the Maclaren Techno is suitable from birth.

 

[las3888]

While some strollers say suitable at birth...I wouldn't have felt comfortable with it...even if there are bars and straps, I still think they can get slumpy. Who wants to have their DC reclined all day as well? Plus you won't face them at all (or they won't be facing you)...I always liked to see what was going on (sleeping, not, about to get fussy, etc.). Otherwise, you have to peek over in front of them all the time.

Just me!!!!!

 

[Elmo888]

Thank you all for the advice! I have to tell you I was nervous about posting another stroller thread, lol! When we first started looking at stuff initially, I was pretty convinced I was just going to get a stroller and a Britax car seat. After talking to my sister in law and reading nest.com message boards I kinda figured I needed a travel system. It wasn't for the sleeping factor, baby can fall back to sleep, but people had said it was safer. I had planned on having the baby just in the stroller itself for Disney. I think now though I will just go with my original plan and just do the separates. If it works for so many others, you must not really *need* the travel system.

Do you mean the infant car seat or the travel system, meaning stroller and compatible infant car seat? I did think that the infant car seat was handy since you don't have to wake the baby to move him/her. And if you have a small baby, they do fit better in the infant car seat (vs. a convertible car seat). Both of my DDs were in those infant car seats until they were around 9 months (but I had small babies - 6 lbs and under at birth).

I just didn't like the stroller that came with the infant car seat of my choice. I like the travel system concept, but I think that you have to pick a stroller that you love separately from the infant car seat. The stroller will be used much longer than the infant car seat, and you can always buy the Snap N Go (or similar) to create your own travel system.

If you think that your plan will work for you (it sounds like you are thinking Britax convertible car seat, not infant car seat) - go for it. If you decide that you need an infant car seat and something to carry it, you can always send your DH to BRU to buy the infant car seat (maybe you can research these and have a model in mind, just in case) and a Snap N Go. Some people are fine with this plan, esp. if they have bigger babies that they don't want to carry around a heavy infant in the infant car seat!

The only problem that I can see is where to put the baby in certain situations, such as the grocery store (with the infant car seat, you can set the car seat on the shopping cart) or a restaurant (before they are sitting). At the grocery store, you can always sling your baby. And at the restaurant, you could use your stroller.

 

[Shleedogg]

I did a lot of looking online at Babies R Us after reading the responses last night. I have a few that I think might work for us.

Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller

I really like the fact that we can turn the stroller so that the baby can face us or away from us. It also reclines fully. It's gotten really good reviews for handling. From the reviews it also appears to fit into smaller vehicles, which is important since I drive a Toyota Corolla.

Jeep® Liberty® Limited 3 Wheel Stroller

This one also has some very good features, the only thing that I didn't like in reading the reviews is that it's very big when folded.

Does anyone have experience with either of these? Or does anyone have any suggestions of similar strollers I might have missed? Thanks!

....Sorry about the inability to post links, I only have 4 posts so far. Both strollers are at Babies R Us.

 

[Minniemouse07]

While some strollers say suitable at birth...I wouldn't have felt comfortable with it...even if there are bars and straps, I still think they can get slumpy. Who wants to have their DC reclined all day as well? Plus you won't face them at all (or they won't be facing you)...I always liked to see what was going on (sleeping, not, about to get fussy, etc.). Otherwise, you have to peek over in front of them all the time.

Just me!!!!!

We had a great Peg stroller (that it no longer made) called a Milano. It was a little larger than a Venezia, had a 180 degree recline and the HANDLES SWITCHED!! So when dd was an infant I could push the stroller like a pram facing dd and as she got older and wanted to see where we were going, I pushed it like a traditional stroller.

Dd is turning 7yo this summer and between the Milano and our 2001 Aria we didn't need to purchase another stroller when ds came along two years ago. I'm not sure if any of the current strollers on the market have this feature.

I should add that we didn't use the Milano much w/ ds... I generally just popped him in one of our carriers instead of pushing him in a stroller. It was easier to deal w/ dd who was 4.5yo at the time of his birth!

 

[Elmo888]

I did a lot of looking online at Babies R Us after reading the responses last night. I have a few that I think might work for us.

Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller

I really like the fact that we can turn the stroller so that the baby can face us or away from us. It also reclines fully. It's gotten really good reviews for handling. From the reviews it also appears to fit into smaller vehicles, which is important since I drive a Toyota Corolla.

Jeep® Liberty® Limited 3 Wheel Stroller

This one also has some very good features, the only thing that I didn't like in reading the reviews is that it's very big when folded.

Does anyone have experience with either of these? Or does anyone have any suggestions of similar strollers I might have missed? Thanks!

....Sorry about the inability to post links, I only have 4 posts so far. Both strollers are at Babies R Us.

I don't know about those stroller, but when you are "test driving", make sure that you fold (which it sounds like you did) and lift the stroller, as you would into the trunk. This is where I got into trouble - it seems to be the bulk combined with the weight of the stroller that makes a stroller difficult to manhandle. Personally, I don't mind a heavier stroller if it folds compactly, which makes it easier to manhandle.

That Contours stroller sure looks cool!

 

[las3888]

Maybe I'm still missing something...are you still going to use a baby carrier? If not, I am just confused as to what you are going to do in restaurants (even at home) and other places out? As much as you will love your newborn, there will be times when you want to put them down so you can eat and whatnot. I don't think Disney is great about allowing strollers in the restaurants either. I have heard reports that if a child is sleeping, they will allow it, but not all restaurants have the space, and I would feel on edge all the time wondering if it is going to be okay. I think that's what the carrier is great for...

Also, at home, when you go out...are you going to remove DC from carseat, open trunk, get stroller out and wheel them in to restaurant, grocery store? I am not sure I follow...Grocery store especially was KEY to have the carrier. True, it won't last long, but if you have more children, it will definitely get used again. I know so many people that have the Graco system and DO use that stroller all the way up through the toddler years. I feel like I am missing something...???

 

[lilybrooke14]

I did a lot of looking online at Babies R Us after reading the responses last night. I have a few that I think might work for us.

Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller

I really like the fact that we can turn the stroller so that the baby can face us or away from us. It also reclines fully. It's gotten really good reviews for handling. From the reviews it also appears to fit into smaller vehicles, which is important since I drive a Toyota Corolla.

Jeep® Liberty® Limited 3 Wheel Stroller

This one also has some very good features, the only thing that I didn't like in reading the reviews is that it's very big when folded.

Does anyone have experience with either of these? Or does anyone have any suggestions of similar strollers I might have missed? Thanks!

....Sorry about the inability to post links, I only have 4 posts so far. Both strollers are at Babies R Us.

I don't know about the Contours, but the Jeep Liberty is one that you're really going to have to get a feel for and decide if you like it or not (I think). It folds kind of....differently, and it's pretty heavy. I can never figure out where you're supposed to pick it up from when it's folded. The handle winds up at the bottom, and the little steering wheel sticks out at the top. On that note, you have to be kind of careful with the child's tray, or it will get damaged when you handle the stroller while it's folded. It's not a jogging stroller, it's an "all terrain" stroller. Meaning, it's intended to be used walking over sidewalks and, say, soccer fields. It's the SUV of strollers. The little steering wheel for baby is super cute though, and it does recline far enough for infants. I've seen lots of babies in this stroller, and they all look comfortable.

In case you're wondering why I sound like such a know it all, I work at a baby store in the baby gear department (that is, carseats, strollers, bouncers, etc. etc.). It helps that I'm a total baby gear junkie, so I really enjoy learning about all the products and the differences in them.

The lightweight stroller I've got is the new Wendy Belissimo stroller in chocolate and pink. It's got tall handles, and lots of the features of the Mac Triumph, but it's only about $100 (less if you keep an eye out for coupons). I had enough coupons that I only paid $50 for it . It's got tall handles, and it reclines, but it doesn't have cupholders (although you can pick up clip on cup holders for a few dollars). The only complaint I've got is that it doesn't sit up straight enough. It's somewhat reclined even in the fully upright position. DD doesn't seem to mind, but it's kind of strange. I checked the other brands after buying it, and several are like that, so you might keep an eye out for that too.

Oh, and I don't know how you feel about a Combi, but they are very light, and you can buy the carseats to fit them online (but BBRU doesn't carry them in stores). People seem to either love them or hate them though.

Sorry, just wanted to add that BBRU has lots of items that are online, and not in stores, and not all stores have the exact same stuff. When you do go in the store, I'd recommend snagging someone who works specifically in the gear department, and explain to them what you're looking for. They should be able to pull everything out for you that they've got, show you all the different features and how to fold each one, and let you push them around. I'd plan on it taking a while. And if you register there, don't worry about doing it all in one shot. It can get really overwhelming! Baby register like touring Disney. Go early, hit the highlights, take a break for lunch and a nap, and then go finish up refreshed.

 

[Shleedogg]

Maybe I'm still missing something...are you still going to use a baby carrier? If not, I am just confused as to what you are going to do in restaurants (even at home) and other places out? As much as you will love your newborn, there will be times when you want to put them down so you can eat and whatnot. I don't think Disney is great about allowing strollers in the restaurants either. I have heard reports that if a child is sleeping, they will allow it, but not all restaurants have the space, and I would feel on edge all the time wondering if it is going to be okay. I think that's what the carrier is great for...

Also, at home, when you go out...are you going to remove DC from carseat, open trunk, get stroller out and wheel them in to restaurant, grocery store? I am not sure I follow...Grocery store especially was KEY to have the carrier. True, it won't last long, but if you have more children, it will definitely get used again. I know so many people that have the Graco system and DO use that stroller all the way up through the toddler years. I feel like I am missing something...???

Dh and I really don't go out to eat much so I'm not worried about the restaurant. In Disney, I'll just put baby in the sling. I've been reading that it's not good to have the baby in the carrier in that cramped position for hours on end, so I really don't know how we'd bring the carrier with us all day without having baby in it. It will be a little inconvenient, but I can deal with that. Dh and I can trade of holding baby in restaurants.

As for at home and the grocery store, etc. Dh and I are very lucky that he is able to work at home and I will be a SAHM. If I need to go grocery shopping, the baby can stay home with him so that really won't be an issue.

 

[grlpwrd]

First, congratulations to the OP!

Maybe I'm still missing something...are you still going to use a baby carrier? If not, I am just confused as to what you are going to do in restaurants (even at home) and other places out? As much as you will love your newborn, there will be times when you want to put them down so you can eat and whatnot. I don't think Disney is great about allowing strollers in the restaurants either. I have heard reports that if a child is sleeping, they will allow it, but not all restaurants have the space, and I would feel on edge all the time wondering if it is going to be okay. I think that's what the carrier is great for...

Also, at home, when you go out...are you going to remove DC from carseat, open trunk, get stroller out and wheel them in to restaurant, grocery store? I am not sure I follow...Grocery store especially was KEY to have the carrier. True, it won't last long, but if you have more children, it will definitely get used again. I know so many people that have the Graco system and DO use that stroller all the way up through the toddler years. I feel like I am missing something...???

I am not the OP, but I think it's going to be a YMMV and have-to-live-it-and-experience-it kinda thing. This goes for a stroller or sling, too. I know some of the one's mentioned here did not work for me.

When my children were babies - and this goes especially for my first - I used to think I wasn't going to be so mobile and use any of the baby equipment until I got cabin fever and got stir crazy. I also wanted to take them outdoors and explore the world.

Oh well, this is just the start of all the things to come.

 

[Minniemouse07]

The only problem that I can see is where to put the baby in certain situations, such as the grocery store (with the infant car seat, you can set the car seat on the shopping cart) or a restaurant (before they are sitting). At the grocery store, you can always sling your baby. And at the restaurant, you could use your stroller.

I much preferred carrying ds in my pouch carrier or the moby wrap (didn't have my mei tai yet) than to placing him in the car seat in the shopping cart. It was a ton easier to actually shop...and I had more room in the cart!

We had an infant car seat, but the majority of the time it stayed in the car...we just took it out to bring it inside the house then right back to the car. When we were out and about it stayed in the car and we used one of the carriers (sling, pouch, wrap, etc.)... we found it much easier!

 

[NotUrsula]

The issue with travel systems is that as a general rule, the stroller that is included is a clunker, and the carseat is adequate, but not the best out there. The ONLY exception that I know of that is currently on the market is the Chicco C1 system, which has a Keyfit infant seat and a C1 stroller, both excellent products, especially the stroller, which is very similar to a Pliko P3, only with more adjustable handles. (This system is QUITE difficult to find in the US.)

Personally (and I've been flamed for it before, and will be again, but I stand by my position), I just don't see the sense in sinking a whole lot of money into an infant carseat that you are only going to use for around 7 months with the average baby. I say that if you are going to buy a Britax, then save your money for the most long-wearing Britax there is, a convertible toddler seat that you'll get at least 3 years out of. Buy a safe but affordable infant carseat if you want the convenience of having one, but don't break the bank on it. I have an infant carseat, and DD is petite, so we're getting a fair amount of use out of it; we plan on switching her to the RF toddler seat at the end of this month now that she's getting close to the top of the shell. Our infant seat is a Baby Trend Flex-Loc, it was $80 online from WalMart.

When we feel like using the Flex-Loc WITH a stroller (in airports, for instance), then we simply pop it on top of our Peg Pliko. It wedges in very snugly RF between the napper bar and the reclined seat, no chance of falling out in paved surface use. My oldest kid was born before the age of "travel systems" and we all used this technique back in those days -- how do you think that the stroller companies got the idea to sell them as a set? The problem is that they marketed them so well that new moms tend to think that you SHOULD leave the infant in the carseat whenever you want to use the stroller, and that is incorrect. It always makes me cringe when I see Moms in my neighborhood park out walking with an infant in the carseat of a travel system -- when you are at home there is absolutely no need to use the carseat component!

I own 8 strollers, including a Mac Vogue (no longer made, but it reclines flat). A stroller with at least a 70% recline can be used for an infants quite nicely if you strategically roll a full-sized blanket to flatten it out more, then open out the harness straps for a bit more room. Macs in particular will always have a notation whether they are suitable from birth: of current models the Volo is suitable from 6 mos, the Quest and Triumph from 3 months, and the Technos, the MX3, both twin models and the Easy Traveler are suitable from birth (the Easy Traveler is a carseat frame, not a full stroller.) I like my Pliko, but I *love* my Mac -- the suspension is just the best on the market for heavier kids. Any stroller is great to push when your child is under 20 lbs, but after that bad suspension will make itself known!

The Graco Quatto Tour has been mentioned in this thread -- that's not a stroller, it's a fluffy tank, and Graco is counting on your driving an SUV or a minivan to accomodate it. DH's secretary had a baby shower at the office and someone insisted on giving her a QT. DH had to put it in her car and had trouble wrestling it in -- she drives a car and it took up the entire trunk. She told DH that she stopped using it by the time the baby was 6 mos old -- too heavy and hard to maneuver when folded.

 

[lpoeppelman]

I'm pregnant with our first and am trying to research all the big things we will need to register for in the next few weeks after the big ultrasound. We will be going to Disney where DH is running the marathon, the baby will be 2 mos old (I know, some people will think we're crazy). I am so overwhelmed looking at Babies R Us for the stroller. We want a travel system (I think) that has the infant car seat. We'd like something with at least 1 if not 2 cup holders, and a pretty good sized basket. They pictures aren't very helpful. I will be going to register in person, but I'd like to have some idea of what I want and not to have to individually inspect 20+ strollers while we're in the store. What stroller do you have that works well in Disney? What are the pros and cons of it? Does the size really make a difference in a crowd? I would imagine that all strollers are a pain in a large crowd. Thanks!

We took ours when he was 10 months old along with two other boys who were 6 and 4 at the time. It worked great. The baby slept the whole time. It was a bit easier too because I was nursing, but even if you aren't, the baby station is a great place to get bottles warmed up and to cool down. Have fun!

 

[lilybrooke14]

The Graco Quatto Tour has been mentioned in this thread -- that's not a stroller, it's a fluffy tank,

Not untrue. But I happened to like my fluffy tank (and I don't drive an SUV). There's no black and white here, just a huge variety of choices to choose from.

 

[irene_dsc]

Well, my kids are old enough that I don't dare give any specific stroller advice, but I will say, flexibility is key. Some babies love to be in slings, some hate them (strangely enough!) - same with strollers. And for a multiple days, I'd probably want at least a good stroller plus a good carrier (sling, wrap, etc). You *may* be able to get away without a stroller at all, but those could be long days. I second the recommendation to check out www.thebabywearer.com for specific carrier recs, but my first suggestions would be a good ring sling like a Maya Wrap lightly padded, and a stretchy wrap like a Moby Wrap. Then, for the most freedom, learn to nurse in a carrier, and you will be able to go anywhere!

As for travel systems - I have one, and the main benefit was for the times when baby would fall asleep in the car, and you could transfer the carseat to the stroller without waking him/her up. I'll also say that I really liked having the carseat that came out of the car for the simple reason that it was a lot easier to put the baby into the carseat while it was on the floor, rather than hunched over in the car! We got one carseat plus 2 bases, and kept a base in each car. Then, we always brought the carseat into the house to get baby in and out - which also guaranteed that you had the carseat and baby together, regardless of which car you took.

Oh, and you definitely don't need all the gear that is out there. The catch is, everyone has their own must-haves.

 

[dis-happy]

Don't worry about eating with an infant....every TS restaurant we went to were very accomodating when I said I had an infant with me who couldn't sit up yet. They all gave us a table where the stroller could be at the table with us (even the tightly packed places like Boma, Le Cellier, Biergarten and the Teppon place). The only exception was Crystal Palace, no stroller allowed, but instead they have a special sling infant seat to use which was perfect. You'll be fine...

 

[strmtroopr96]

My DD's (8 1/2 yrs and 21 months) have been in strollers since just days after birth. And neither were in a carseat attached to their stroller. They both had infant seats which were in the car, for grocery trips, or eating out. Otherwise, they were perfectly content in a stroller with plenty of room to stretch out.

Our youngest was in her stroller at 3 days old, The one we were using at the time was a Chicco 6WD (discontinued now) and is super plush and padded and perfect for a newborn! Just huge and heavy! LOL

I am a stroller addict and currently have about 11 strollers sitting in the house! BUT, one is for a baby gift, one I just sold, and another if for sale. LOL
I like to try them all!

We have a Maclaren Quest (never used it but I was sentimental because it was my 1st "nice" stroller so I just sold it) a Peg Perego P3 (bought for our 2007 WDW trip) that is for sale, a Quinny Zapp, an Icoo Infinity in Hot Pink, a Zooper Zydeco, a Fisher Price Infant to Toddler stroller (but maybe going to brother's baby), a Baby Jogger City Mini (just bought for our 2008 WDW trip), a Chicco 6WD, a Peg Perego Domani, and a cheapy umbrella for my parent's car.

I also have a second Baby Jogger Mini here for my brother's baby shower and recently sold a second Quest (brand new but we don't use the 1st one) and a second P3.

So if you need any info about any of those strollers, feel free to ask!