Stroller for Infant

[CRSNDSNY]

Amelia will be 5 months and probably less than 15lbs when we go in September (she was a preemie, so she's still trying to catch up). What do you all do for infants as far as strollers are concerned? Do you bring the big canope one or do you bring something else?

Also, do rental cars have something you can rent in addition to the car that is appropriate for a baby this size and age or do they just cater to toddlers?

Please help!

 

[all4fun]

Hi! My ds was a preemie too (former 28-wkr). I would just bring your comfy stroller so she'll be able to nap in it when she needs to. Plus you'll definitely want to keep her shaded from the Florida sun as much as possible. I would also recommend bringing her regular car seat. (I think that's what you were asking about?) I've never tried renting a car seat because we have always bought our ds a seat on the plane and used his seat. Here are a couple of other reasons I wouldn't rent one: A) I don't trust the rental agency to have one available when I arrive (boy that would be a bummer) and B) I prefer to know the history of the seat I'm using. I wouldn't want to use one that had been in an accident. Plus with a preemie you especially want something that hasn't been used by other kids because you just don't know what germs are lurking in there! (I was really paranoid about this though!) You might also want to bring some kind of carrier (sling or front pack) to hold her when you're in line since you have to park the stroller before entering the queue on most of the attractions.

hth!

 

[Dani&Pao'sMom]

I agree with all4fun. In may 2002 we went to Atlanta and got a car seat from the rental place. They gave us a really cheap, old and dirty one! I don't know about Orlando area, maybe it is not as bad but why take the risk? your baby will be much more comfortable in her own car seat and stroller. We are going by late october and got an umbrella type stroller for DD. she will be 11months by then. I did a lot of research, we wanted something comfortable for her, light for us, in an specific budget and kind of sturdy (as much as an umbrella stroller could be). I had decided for a Combi Savvy and thankfully we got it locally (I live outside the US) at a great price! Hope it helps.

Karla

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This is similar to what we have. It is the infant car seat + stroller (travel system). So what you're saying is I should bring that whole thing? Honestly, I don't mind I just am not sure what is best to do. I really appreciate everyone's advice!

We do have a sling that we will also take with us.

btw, all4fun -- he is absolutely beautiful! Amelia was 32 weeks and 2lbs 13oz. She's almost 8lbs now!

 

[Dani&Pao'sMom]

That's the whole thing! well.... I would take the car seat. Actually we will and since DD will not be 1 year old yet, it is the same kind as yours. However.... I'd look for an umbrella type or light weight type stroller.... I was looking for a canopy (inspired by your post) and found this stroller... it kind of looks like ours but it is not umbrella.... however, other than that, looks just the same.

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27208/325755/117.html

I think something easier/lighter to carry would be more comfortable. I too have the travel system and since we got the light weight stroller, we haven't used it at all! it is easier with the new one. I really don't know much about premies... would head support be an issue with your baby on a stroller that doesn't recline all the way? my stroller doesn't. When DD was younger I always used the travel system, stroller and carseat mounted on top.... but I think this would be too hot for Amelia....

This is ours. As I said, we found it locally, we don't have many options here... it is either too expensive or you don't find what you want.... I'm sure you may be able to find something you like with so many options over there!

http://www.combistrollers.com/products/savvy_soho.htm

 

[all4fun]

Hi again, I forgot to mention, she's adorable!

Is that a Graco system? We didn't have the travel system but we did have a Graco Snugride and we could use it without the base, so you wouldn't need to bring that part of it if you don't want to. We actually used our Jeep Liberty stroller (pictured in my siggy) which is pretty heavy and bulky, on our first few trips and I thought it was great to have since ds (@ 13mos on his first trip) took quite a few naps in it. Honestly it's up to you if you want to invest in something more lightweight or just bring what you have. We used our Jeep Liberty, which is heavy and has a bulky fold, for our first few trips and it was nice to have - comfy for ds and had a nice big basket for all that baby stuff we were hauling around! He napped like a dream in it and we never had to go back to our hotel for naps with him. When he hit toddlerhood we got a Kidco LS2000 umbrella style stroller, which is lighter and folds up smaller than our other stroller. As a matter of fact that's pretty much what we use around town now and we only bring out our Jeep stroller for walks around the neighborhood (those big air-filled tires make for a nice smooth ride!) .

Whatever stroller you bring, just make sure it reclines because I'm sure you'll be using that feature!

hth!
Cheryl

 

[amarberry]

My DD was almost 4 months old on her first trip. I bought a closeout Graco Umbroller for $17 at Target that was perfect for her. It reclined, had a decent sunshade (we also drapped a light receiving blanket over the stoller canopy for more privacy and shade), and, for $17, I didn't really care if the stroller was lost, stolen, or destroyed by the airline. If I could figure out how to post a picture, I could show you that she seemed pretty comfortable.

We also brought our infant carrier for our rental car. I was a bad parent on this trip and didn't buy a seperate seat for my DD, so we checked the infant carrier. I bought one of the Eddie Bauer car seat bags (as recommended by other Dis'ers) and it worked great.

To sum up, my advise would be to bring the infant carrier if you are planning to rent a car (I have heard other stories of icky carriers and if you are going to be there for more than a couple of days it will get expensive), but bring a decent, lighter weight stroller. I would not want to mess with a full size stroller, especially if you are planning to use Disney transportation.

I also second the recommendation of bringing a baby carrier for the lines. My DD will be 15 mo old on our next trip and we will be bringing the carrier again for sure.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

ttp://www.combistrollers.com/products/savvy_soho.htm

This one looks really great but I think we may need a full recline for her on this trip.

I think I will bring her carseat if we do indeed decide to rent a car and go look for a lighter-weight umbrella stroller with recline for the remainder of the time. And if I can't find one with enough shade and full recline I'll just have to tough it out with the travel system that we already have. It would be a pain for us but most comfy for her - and that is what matters the most.
And we'll definitely pack the sling.

Thank you everyone so much for the advice! This is all very new to me and I appreciate you all sharing your experiences with me.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I used a Combi Strolee STS for our 5mo this past May. I bought it specifically for the trip. It folds up so small http://www.babysupermarket.com/baby...AAAIAEFLCIEJABM&ad_id=froogle&key_id=3210-51&

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I used a Combi Strolee STS for our 5mo this past May. I bought it specifically for the trip. It folds up so small http://www.babysupermarket.com/baby/product.asp?dept_id=23&pf_id=PAAAIAEFLCIEJABM&ad_id=froogle&key_id=3210-51&

WOW! That looks super light! Does it have a full recline?

 

[dcgrumpy]

Not completely, it probably reclines a little less than the Evenflo stroller from my travel system. She seemed really comfortable in it.

 

[rt2dz]

OK, let me see if I understand this right. You have a tiny preemie. Most likely will not be sitting up. You will also have a rental car. Which means you won't be totally dependent on Disney transportation. I would definetly bring the stroller you are used to, like, your baby is used to, and won't cost you any extra money.

I know their are thousands of people on here who want a lightweight stroller. I, personally, don't care. I'm not carrying my stroller. And my experience has been that sometimes the heavier stroller manuevers much better. And THAT is what I am concerned about. As long as it fits in my car.

I have done it all ways. An umbrella. A travel system. A double jogger. I have found them all to be about equal. Of the three, the umbrella was probably the worst. Both DH (6') and I (5'8") are too tall for it to be comfortable to push and the handle bar extenders don't offer an extereme amount of support, imo. It didn't hold much (and a preemie can require so much more) and would tip easily. It also wasn't anywhere near as comfortable for our DS. Of course, I love the travel system convience with an infant still in the carrier carseat--just too easy.

 

[dcgrumpy]

DD was less than 15lbs and not sitting up when we used the stroller I posted, it worked out fine.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Right now at 13 weeks old she is 8lbs. She's been gaining about a pound every two weeks so she should be somewhere around 12 or 13 lbs by the time we travel.

I think I will look at Babys R Us, Target, etc. to see how comfortable I'd feel about a smaller stroller but if not I will just bring what she's used to. It is only going to be a 3 night trip and it is at the end of September, so the crowds should be on the lighter side.

I have another question, though. If we didn't rent a car and used Disney transportation, is it unsafe and bad to hold a baby on the motorcoach (Magical Express). Or do you think it is in the best interest overall to spend the money and rent a car just to be on the safe side?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I have another question, though. If we didn't rent a car and used Disney transportation, is it unsafe and bad to hold a baby on the motorcoach (Magical Express). Or do you think it is in the best interest overall to spend the money and rent a car just to be on the safe side?

Now that I reread this question I posted, the answer is obvious. I should just spend the money and rent a car and bring our own car seat.

What would you guys do?

 

[AyaneEin]

If you decide to get a lightweight stroller that doesnt have a canopy... do what we do & use a radioflyer adjustable clamp umbrella that you can continually reposition to block out the the sun... works much better that a stroller w/ a built in canopy that you cant readjust when you change positions like walking into the sunlight... toys-r-us sells them for $7.99
Allyson

 

[Dani&Pao'sMom]

I'm glad you have asked that! Just last night I was talking about that with my husband, regarding car seats for both girls, DD4 and DD almost 1 for the ME bus...

I will post a question at disney.com, maybe they'll know I'll let you know what they say.

Karla

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm glad you have asked that! Just last night I was talking about that with my husband, regarding car seats for both girls, DD4 and DD almost 1 for the ME bus...

I will post a question at disney.com, maybe they'll know I'll let you know what they say.

Karla

Great! Let me know what you hear. We're really up in the air as to which one to do. Perhaps a rental would be the safest.

Let me know, though!

 

[justhat]

We went to Disney when my daughter was almost 3 months old, 12.8 lbs. We took our huge Graco travel system, it is the Coachrider so it is the biggest of the travel systems. I took that because it fully reclined, had a big canopy, plus the seat could face us (Madison didn't like being in the stroller unless she could see us)and could come out to use like a bassinet. Since it fully reclined and faced us I did not lug the carseat around in the parks. I didn't mind carrying the stroller on/off the buses, even though it weighs I think 30 lbs. or something like that. You only have to fold/carry it for a few feet so it's not as big a deal as you would think. We used that stroller on our 1st 2 trips (almost 3 months and 3.5 months) and also when we went to DL when Madison was 6 months old (not a problem at all there since it never had to be folded cause we could walk from the resort to the parks). When we went back to WDW when Madison was 9 and 13 months we used our Maclaren Techno Classic, since she didn't need to be facing us and it's much easier to carry around, fit in the room, etc.

We brought the carseat because we used it on the plane (we bought her a seat) and then we hired a towncar to drive us to the resort so we used it then too. I know it seems silly to let her ride from park to park in Disney buses without a seat but not to/from the airport, but people go at much higher speeds on highways than on Disney property so I think it's a bit more dangerous. We also went on a Disney cruise and initially had the Disney transfers. Then we realized we'd be holding Madison in our laps on major highways for a long drive. So we cancelled the transfers and got another towncar to drive us from Disney to the cruise ship and back. We're going back to Disney in December and have decided not to use ME so that Madison can ride in her carseat to/from the airport.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks for the post justhat. I am a bit uncomfortable having her not use a carseat even in a motorcoach.

If I brought the entire travel system, would I just end up checking the carseat at the airport? And then the airline personnel can stow away the stroller for the flight?