Planning a Trip ... Need a Stroller ...

[justhat]

Thanks for the comments! Is 'New Native and Urban Pouch' a single product or two? How does it compare to the Premaxx @ Babies R Us? I think the Premaxx is convertible after a certain weight you can shift it to upright -- which to me, makes it more versatile than the Baby Bjorns ... but ... I want something that will be safe for the baby as well.

Also, if anyone came up to you and asked about your stroller/sling, that was probably me. *lol*

A TON of people asked me about my sling! New Native and Urban Pouch are different brands. http://www.cortezandco.com/catalog.php That's the link to Urban Pouch. The sling I have (which I don't see for sale anymore) is Cars print (the Disney Pixar movie), which is why we got tons of questions and compliments on it. I like it a lot, but it's smaller than my New Native (and both are my size, just the design) so I'm not sure how much longer I can do the outward facing cross legged carry in it. Also, while my husband can wear the New Native sling, the Urban Pouch sling is really snug on him so he'd definitely need his own if he were going to wear our son in that one. Here's the New Native link http://www.newnativeinc.com/orders/prodtype.asp?cookiecheck=yes&strPageHistory=cat&PT_ID=70 .

And just like strollers, slings aren't really a one size fits all kinda thing. What I mean is, the Premaxx might be a great sling (I don't have one so I can't say), but you baby simply might not feel comfortable in it as a newborn but then loves it as on older baby. Or he/she might like the cozy newborn feel but then feel too restricted as he grows. For example, my son loved the New Native sling as a newborn cause it's got a really deep pocket so he was very snug, secure, and light was practically blocked out. Now, however, he loves the Urban Pouch cause it's a much shallower pocket so he sits up higher and even when he's in the reclined position he can still see all around him. And my daughter, otoh, just hated all slings, so any sling was a complete waste of money with her but the Bjorn was the best $119 I ever spent.

If you want something truly versatile, get a Moby Wrap. I don't have one only cause I have 2 slings and a Bjorn and don't want to buy any more baby carriers right now, but I think they're great. You can pretty much use them to hold the baby in any position, including on your back. http://www.mobywrap.com/

 

[LCtonra]

Sorry i didn't come along this thread sooner....I see you started posting almost a month ago. Thought I would chime in. I have a 5 year old and 7 month old and have been through many strollers. Right now we have the perego pliko p3 that everyone is talking about for my little one. I have to say if you have the money it is worth it. We are taking it on our trip in four weeks when he will be 8 months old and I am so confident with bringing it. We go to disney every year and have purchased strollers for my older one just to bring to disney and I have to say I am so excited to use the P3. I bought it when I have pregnant and used it as a travel system....it worked great. They only advice I can give you is to buy a graco snugfit car seat for it. They are 1/3 the price of the perego and fit in it so much safer. The car seats do not snap on like other travel systems...they fit snugly in the seat and then a buckle goes over the top. I felt it was safer then my graco travel for my older one. The Snugride seat is much smaller and and ton lighter and in my opinion fit so much better. The past two times I went to Dis I had the Mac triumph. This was my favorite stroller ever. It was alot lighter and more compact, but I just don't think it will be great for my little one. He is starting to snack on cheerios and such and I really need the snack tray for that and to clip toys onto with the linking rings. Also with the P3 you can pull the sun shade down to it meets with the snack tray like they are in a little dome for nap time and if it gets too cold. The big plus for my is the running board on the back they my DD can stand on. They don't advertise it as that in the US for safety reasons but it was on there international website. I just have to teach my DD that she can not get on and off without mommy or daddy there. Ok enough of my rambling. Good Luck

 

[momto2girls]

Sorry i didn't come along this thread sooner....I see you started posting almost a month ago. Thought I would chime in. I have a 5 year old and 7 month old and have been through many strollers. Right now we have the perego pliko p3 that everyone is talking about for my little one. I have to say if you have the money it is worth it. We are taking it on our trip in four weeks when he will be 8 months old and I am so confident with bringing it. We go to disney every year and have purchased strollers for my older one just to bring to disney and I have to say I am so excited to use the P3. I bought it when I have pregnant and used it as a travel system....it worked great. They only advice I can give you is to buy a graco snugfit car seat for it. They are 1/3 the price of the perego and fit in it so much safer. The car seats do not snap on like other travel systems...they fit snugly in the seat and then a buckle goes over the top. I felt it was safer then my graco travel for my older one. The Snugride seat is much smaller and and ton lighter and in my opinion fit so much better. The past two times I went to Dis I had the Mac triumph. This was my favorite stroller ever. It was alot lighter and more compact, but I just don't think it will be great for my little one. He is starting to snack on cheerios and such and I really need the snack tray for that and to clip toys onto with the linking rings. Also with the P3 you can pull the sun shade down to it meets with the snack tray like they are in a little dome for nap time and if it gets too cold. The big plus for my is the running board on the back they my DD can stand on. They don't advertise it as that in the US for safety reasons but it was on there international website. I just have to teach my DD that she can not get on and off without mommy or daddy there. Ok enough of my rambling. Good Luck

I agree. Love, love, love my P3. We've taken it with us for our last 4 Disney trips and it has worked perfectly. My kids are 6 and 3 and my 6 year old still rides on the footboard in back when she gets tired of walking. The P3 has held up SO well and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. We had several strollers before the P3, but I haven't ever even felt the urge to look at strollers again since we bought that one.

 

[KristinU]

Thanks! Did you like the Marathon Britax? Or a different line?

We have a Roundabout and a Marathon - love 'em both! I expected DS to outgrow the Roundabout in height a couple of months ago, but its his little legs that are sprouting and we still have close to an inch until he hits the top harness strap. For a while I was wishing we had started with two Marathons but the Roundabout is going longer than I expected (We actually started with a Graco Comfortsport and the Roundabout because of the cost, so I do have a lower-end comparison...the Graco wasn't as bad as some people make them out to be, but it just isn't as comfy or easy to use).

And you recent posters are making me sad for my P3! I sold it right before our last trip in September...I almost got misty when I saw one of the same color at WDW...sniff, sniff...

 

[Desnik]

Wow, I can't believe this thread is still going strong! What great info there is here!! I have posted before but I just wanted to add some more. We loved our Baby Bjorn carrier for DS. I have back problems and it was the only carrier that didn't hurt my back. DS had severe reflux and could only be in an upright position so the Bjorn was perfect for us. He loved being in it. We have the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat seen here:
http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/product~item~4938.html
We love it and it was so easy to install and is so easy to use. We wanted the safest best carseat we could find after our car accident where our SUV flipped several times! I did some research and really any Britax would be perfect!
Again to repeat myself, I really think the Peg P3 will be the best for you.

 

[justhat]

BTW, if you do get the P3, then you really don't need the Snap n Go cause you can put the infant seat right in the P3.

 

[jdg345]

Okay ... this scared me a little (a lot) ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070105/ap_on_he_me/infant_seats

Of the 12 car seats tested, Consumer Reports said it could recommend only two, and it urged a federal recall of the poorest performing seat, the Evenflo Discovery

...

The magazine tested the type of seat that faces the rear and snaps in and out of a base. It used test dummies weighing 22 or 30 pounds, depending on the seat manufacturers' claims.

...

In the 35 mph test, seats separated from their bases, rotated too far or would have inflicted grave injuries, Consumer Reports said. At 38 mph, four seats flew out of their bases, it said.

...

The only seats that passed all the tests were the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and the Graco SnugRide with EPS — expanded polystyrene foam — both selling for about $90. Consumer Reports urged parents shopping for seats to buy one of those two, but it also noted that "any child car seat is better than no seat at all."

 

[justhat]

LOL, I just read that and was coming to this thread to post that info for you! I guess that makes your infant carseat choices pretty simple.

 

[jdg345]

A TON of people asked me about my sling! New Native and Urban Pouch are different brands. http://www.cortezandco.com/catalog.php That's the link to Urban Pouch. The sling I have (which I don't see for sale anymore) is Cars print (the Disney Pixar movie), which is why we got tons of questions and compliments on it. I like it a lot, but it's smaller than my New Native (and both are my size, just the design) so I'm not sure how much longer I can do the outward facing cross legged carry in it. Also, while my husband can wear the New Native sling, the Urban Pouch sling is really snug on him so he'd definitely need his own if he were going to wear our son in that one. Here's the New Native link http://www.newnativeinc.com/orders/prodtype.asp?cookiecheck=yes&strPageHistory=cat&PT_ID=70 .

And just like strollers, slings aren't really a one size fits all kinda thing. What I mean is, the Premaxx might be a great sling (I don't have one so I can't say), but you baby simply might not feel comfortable in it as a newborn but then loves it as on older baby. Or he/she might like the cozy newborn feel but then feel too restricted as he grows. For example, my son loved the New Native sling as a newborn cause it's got a really deep pocket so he was very snug, secure, and light was practically blocked out. Now, however, he loves the Urban Pouch cause it's a much shallower pocket so he sits up higher and even when he's in the reclined position he can still see all around him. And my daughter, otoh, just hated all slings, so any sling was a complete waste of money with her but the Bjorn was the best $119 I ever spent.

If you want something truly versatile, get a Moby Wrap. I don't have one only cause I have 2 slings and a Bjorn and don't want to buy any more baby carriers right now, but I think they're great. You can pretty much use them to hold the baby in any position, including on your back. http://www.mobywrap.com/

Thanks so much for the tips! I really appreciate it! I'm looking into those links now.

 

[jdg345]

BTW, if you do get the P3, then you really don't need the Snap n Go cause you can put the infant seat right in the P3.

We are looking towards the P3 (thanks to those of you have chimed in regarding your experiences with it!) ... but we're probably going to wait until next Month to pick one up (apparently, no one has the 2006's in stock and the 2007's aren't available yet).

It seems that those with the P3 love them ... while we were in the world, I checked around and if I saw someone that had one, I'd stick my nosey nose into their vacation and ask them about it. I guess you can get away with those things if your preggers.

One couple said they'd be using the same one for like 6 years! Wow!

Considering we plan to wait on the P3, and since the Snap N Go isn't cost-prohibitive per say, we thought it would be nice and convenient for the first 3-6 months. It seems like it's the most common (vs the Graco version) ... and the Maclaren version looks like it's more costly because it says Maclaren on it. We're leaning towards it, but figured we'd check in here for some experiences as to how the SnugRide Carseat actually attaches to it as far as Safety, Ease, etc.

 

[jdg345]

LOL, I just read that and was coming to this thread to post that info for you! I guess that makes your infant carseat choices pretty simple.

We'd pretty much decided on the SnugRide before we read that ... I was relieved to read that it was one of the selected ones. Now I just need to figure out which 'model' SnugRide has the EPS Foam Stuff.

 

[jdg345]

Wow, I can't believe this thread is still going strong! What great info there is here!! I have posted before but I just wanted to add some more. We loved our Baby Bjorn carrier for DS. I have back problems and it was the only carrier that didn't hurt my back. DS had severe reflux and could only be in an upright position so the Bjorn was perfect for us. He loved being in it. We have the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat seen here:
http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/product~item~4938.html
We love it and it was so easy to install and is so easy to use. We wanted the safest best carseat we could find after our car accident where our SUV flipped several times! I did some research and really any Britax would be perfect!
Again to repeat myself, I really think the Peg P3 will be the best for you.

I agree! Many thanks to all that have contributed their time, experience, and suggestions! Perhaps it can be made a sticky of some sorts.

We're liking the Britax Marathons ... Graco SnugRide to start w/ a Snap N Go Frame ... and a Peg P3 when the new models are released (barring some odd change that would alter our conclusions thusfar)

Thanks again to all!

 

[jdg345]

Hum ... it seems Graco makes a bunch of different SnugRide models (and now a SnugRide II). I like this pattern:

http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/pr...ctID=945&tab=features&CategoryID=15&subCatID=

But apparently, it's only available at Wal-Mart, and has no mention of EPS Foam or GracoPedic Foam. I had to send them an email, because their website didn't seam to note the differences. What I find strange is that this Disney Print is MSRP of $73 whereas the other SnugRide's are $89-99 and the SnugRide II was $124.

 

[justhat]

SOmething that affects the prices of the Snugrides is the mechanism to tighten the straps. We have 2 of them, one was more expensive cause you just pull a strap in the crotch area to tighten the shoulder straps, and then push a metal piece and pull on the straps to loosen them. The other Snugride was cheaper and to loosen/tighten the straps you use the threading mechanism in the back. Honestly, I like the way the cheaper one works better as the other one always has slack on one side and is tight on the other. So look for things like that when the price is different. Also, a more expensive one might have more padding or something.

 

[becca011906]

Okay ... this scared me a little (a lot) ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070105/ap_on_he_me/infant_seats

http://www.car-safety.org/guide.html#cr also you can get a lot of info on this going to www.car-seat.org there is forum there full of techs that will explain to you how this test by CR is doen in compairison to NHTSA

 

[justhat]

I just got back from BRU and saw a new stroller to confuse you a bit more. It's the Peg Perego Centro Completo. Very similar to the Pliko P3, but the fold is different (a little easier I think, but not umbrella style), the basket doesn't have that annoying crossbar and is spring loaded so you can move it up and down, the recline is flatter (and the seat seems longer so a taller child can nap in it) and the rear standing board is bigger. Other that that it has everything the P3 has. I think we decided on that one instead of the P3 cause the footboard was better for my daughter and it looks like she can nap in it better than the P3. Of course, she's 3 and you're talking about a newborn so those things won't matter as much, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for you.

ETA: The Centro Completo also comes with a cold weather boot and rain cover and the hood is reversible, so that and the full recline allow it to be a "carriage". We didn't really try out that part of it though so I can't say much about that but it would be nice for a baby if you're not using the car seat in it.

 

[amarberry]

I just got back from BRU and saw a new stroller to confuse you a bit more. It's the Peg Perego Centro Completo. Very similar to the Pliko P3, but the fold is different (a little easier I think, but not umbrella style), the basket doesn't have that annoying crossbar and is spring loaded so you can move it up and down, the recline is flatter (and the seat seems longer so a taller child can nap in it) and the rear standing board is bigger. Other that that it has everything the P3 has. I think we decided on that one instead of the P3 cause the footboard was better for my daughter and it looks like she can nap in it better than the P3. Of course, she's 3 and you're talking about a newborn so those things won't matter as much, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for you.

ETA: The Centro Completo also comes with a cold weather boot and rain cover and the hood is reversible, so that and the full recline allow it to be a "carriage". We didn't really try out that part of it though so I can't say much about that but it would be nice for a baby if you're not using the car seat in it.

Ack! I'm such a stroller addict! As soon as I saw this post, I immediately had to google the stroller. Thanks justhat! I have absolutely no need for any more strollers at this time, but my stroller obsessed mind can't not look. I hope to have another child at some point, so it's best to be up to date on what's out there, right?

This stroller looks a lot like my Peg Atlantico, minus the parent tray. The Atlantico looks a lot like the Peg Aria only bigger. I love my Atlantico for walking around my neighborhood and walking to the grocery store, Target, etc., but it is so heavy. I basically took it out of my car after my DD was out of the infant carrier because it was such a pain to lug in and out of the car. I couldn't find the weight for this stroller, so it's unclear to me whether this stroller is replacing the current Aria or if it is the step up from the Aria. Like I said, I have absolutely no need for a new stroller right now, but I'm intrigued.

 

[mericletwins]

I've had to carry the Graco Stroller on and off the bus for our last 2 trips it's been a real pain in the bud! I told my wife next time to just go out and buy a little umbrella stroller to make both our lives a little easier! They are lighter and much easier to tote around and not that expensive!

We bought umbrella strollers for the twins first trip to Disney in March 2000. We used them still for our last trip in April 2006. Look around for one that has handles that seem a little longer. Some have short handles so you'll feel scrunched over. Of course, you can buy handle extenders. Ours had the little flip over shade top that could be up o r folded back and we did not have storage underneath, but hung the diaper bag over the handles and that was more then adequate.

 

[justhat]

Amarberry, the stroller is roughly the same weight as the Pliko P3, I think it said 17 lbs and the Pliko said 15 lbs. I carried one in each hand and they felt just about the same so no real difference there. Only thing is that the Centro folds like a regular stroller, not an umbrella, but it was still pretty compact. The handle folds in making it smaller than you'd think, but again, still bigger than the Pliko in width.

 

[amarberry]

Amarberry, the stroller is roughly the same weight as the Pliko P3, I think it said 17 lbs and the Pliko said 15 lbs. I carried one in each hand and they felt just about the same so no real difference there. Only thing is that the Centro folds like a regular stroller, not an umbrella, but it was still pretty compact. The handle folds in making it smaller than you'd think, but again, still bigger than the Pliko in width.

The Atlantico is probably closer to 20 lbs. The Aria handle folds in too, I'm guessing like this stroller, which is a nice feature for a traditional fold stroller. Sounds like a very nice stroller. My DD is 2.5 and our well used Peg has held up very well. I would not hesitate to buy another, if and when the time comes. Good luck!