I need help with picking out a stroller.
I plan to get a Graco Sungride Car Seat and the Snap and Go Stroller for when the baby is little - But that will only last for a little while - I am going to need another stroller after the baby grows out of the car seat and I need some suggestions please. I do not want to have to buy three different strollers - I want one that has it all and hopefully spend less than $ 300.
The things I am looking for in a stroller - is number one - it has to be lightweight and fold small - I have a Sonata and it has to fit in my trunk. I would perfer if the stroller reclines flat if possible for naps. I want a stroller that has a parent cup holder and a child tray - which can be removed - I just want to be able to walk around my neighborhood and go to the mall/outings with the stroller - so it does not have to be heavy duty. Also I would like it to last until the baby is at least a toddler.
Am I asking for too much in a stroller - is there a stroller out there that even exist with all of the things I want. Please recommend your stroller to me. Tell me what you like about it and what you dislike about it. All suggestions are welcomed.
15 comments:
We have the Chicco Cortina and love it!
Why not just get the travel system from Graco instead of getting the snap n' go? It doesn't recline to completely flat for naps but it reclines a lot and has everything you have mentioned that you want. It folds flat with one hand and is lightweight. Plus now they have the really cool 'flip-it' system so that even when your little one is sitting in the stroller rather than the carseat you can still have him/her face you.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4275582
I think you'd have to add some accessories to get all you want, but I have the Baby Jogger City Mini double, and they also make a single that is very popular. It folds like a dream. http://www.albeebaby.com/baby-jogger-city-mini-single-8-stroller-2011-black-black.html
If you want something even cheaper, the Graco Quattro tour has lots of features.
http://www.albeebaby.com/graco-quattro-tour-sport-stroller-6b49pti3-platinum.html
Both are top rated by Consumer Reports.
we got the Chicco Keyfir Cortina and we LOOOOVE it!!! It come in millions of different color schemes, and we got ours for $279. Hope that helps. Check out the Chicco website- they are the number 1 rated carseat for the last 3 years on all fronts.
I have the Combi Cosmo EX stroller and LOVE it. Super light weight, very easy to fold up, fits easily in the trunk of the car, has a drink holder, it reclines back (not completely flat, but enough for them to take a nap), and is easy to steer. I also have a Maclaren easy traveller stroller frame, which I also like. It folds up and comes apart easily and my Graco car seat fits in it perfectly. I don't have any pics of the stroller frame on Facebook, but if you go to my Liam pics and scroll almost down to the bottom, there is a pic of him in it there. Good luck...I remember that was one of the toughest decisions!
If you want to buy extra accessories to get the cup holders etc.... and you think you might try for another little one .... the City Mini and City Select both have the option to just buy a second seat and it converts into a double stroller.
We got the Gracro Quattro travel system based on it was super easy 1handed fold up, it could fit in my trunk (honda civic), easy to push/turn etc, LARGE storage bin underneath (which we use A LOT when in the mall).... LOVE IT!
Honestly, you can have all that with the Chicco system. I loooove mine and we still use it. My son is 19 months now. We also have an umbrella stoller ($15 at BRU)
We have a Baby Jogger City Mini and love it. We would get it again.
Pros:
-One handed fold
-Folds flat
-Light-weight
-Sun hood has three lengths (from just shading the head to completely covered), also has little fold back windows so you can see in when it's completely down
-Has many different accessories so you can customize it
-Seat fully reclines
-5-point harness so it's good for infants that can't sit up on their own yet
-Easy to handle (one handed if needed) and can do a 360 on one back wheel so it can handle tight turns
-You can buy a car seat adapter so you wouldn't need the snap-and-go
-Lots of storage
-Three wheels with good shocks so it handles well on uneven terrain, even when jogging
-Doesn't tip easily (and I know... my toddler knows how to unstrap himself and will stand up in it, and we've never had it tip, even with a bag hanging off the back)
-Great price, and works with infants all the way up until you don't need a stroller anymore, so you wouldn't have to buy multiple strollers
Cons:
- The seat back isn't fully upright, but I've heard that they have fixed that in the new 2011 edition (?)
- Sometimes the front wheel doesn't align right and you have to kick it with your foot when you fold it
-You have to pay for all the accessories so that adds to the price tag
-It's not a serious jogging stroller, so if you plan on running on trails or very uneven roads you should get a full-size jogging stroller
Every parent that I've met loves their stroller.
My biggest advice is to not spend a ton of money on a stroller. You might end up with a kid that hates being in it because they start to walk at 10 months (like mine). Or you may prefer baby-wearing and not use it as often as you thought. I wanted a $1000 stroller with all the bells and whistles, but I'm so glad I went with this option. And I'm so glad I went with one with 3 wheels. For the price the City Mini is a very nice option.
I meant that every parent that I've met with a City Mini loves it. There are lots of parents out their that hate their strollers :-)
Oh, and I forgot to mention that my husband is tall (6 feet) and it's still comfortable for him to push it. (And for me and I'm only 5'2").
Sorry I wrote so much. But I just sent an e-mail with the same stuff to a friend who is pregnant.
Ughh... I have way too many strollers now. We Got the Graco system (can't remember the name now) that came with the baby car seat and stroller. It fit in the trunk of my subaru, it didn't fold flat to sleep, but reclined far enough to be relaxing for the baby, and worked well for long walks in the neighborhood, the playground in the grass, and short trips to the mall. It also wasn't really expensive like others. Also the baby car seat on that one clicked into and fit onto the front of shopping carts.
I got a baby jogger city select with a double kit, which is really nice, so i would assume the brand is a good one to look into for singles, but they are more expensive.
We got the Chicco Key Fit 30 system and we love it. It's not heavy at all and it does all that you're asking for and we love the pattern, it's black, grey and yellow circles. The car seat has a great rating.
I just bought a Britax B-Agile this weekend and absolutely love it. It is their version of the City Mini. You can get it for $219 on amazon but you do have to buy some of the extras such as a cup holder and removable tray.
Jax is not a huge fan of strollers but he loves this. It sits him more upright than the others and fully reclines. I didn't buy the tray yet but he can't reach it so I will get it once he gets a little bigger. I would definitely go with the snap and go and then either this or the city mini. The money that we spend on the travel system was such a waste.
I second the City Mini, I have the double in Sage, Love Love it. It is very light weight and easy to turn etc. I had the snap n go for the first few months,( we stopped using it at 7 months they got to big, it was so easy to go places with the the twins.
I have a Graco Flip It for my little girl and I love it. It is easy to fold with one hand...granted, it's not the smallest stroller but it will easily fit in your trunk. It is great for different heights, too...my husband is 6' and I'm 5'4" and it is perfect for both of us. And the best part is that you can flip the handle so you can have the baby facing towards you or away from you. When you're out in the sun, it makes a huge difference :) Plus it has all of the features you want!
I have three strollers and love all three for different reasons. I have the CHICCO DISCOVERY (single) that was part of my "travel package" (came with carseat. The carseat snaps in when baby is little). I love it for shopping because it maneuvers easily and has plenty of cargo space. The shade cover isn't real great though, but that's the only con. Folds easily and is well built.
I have a cheap umbrella stroller that is great for when I want small or lightweight. Baby won't fit in it until about 9 months old approx though. I got the cheapest one possible, no undercarriage cargo space or anything= lighter and smaller.
I also have a BOB Ironman jogging stroller. Obviously I use it when running (& LOVE LOVE LOVE it!) but we take this a lot recreationally as well. The cargo space is pretty good, though not as great/easy to access as the Chicco. The suncover is AMAZING. It rolls very easily and is well built also. Folding can be a bit tricky but no biggie. Large to store/transport because it doesn't fold real small unless you take the wheels off.
There's my advice! I love all three and am glad I have them all!
PS-I love the pic of you two holding the U/S photo, what a cute idea!
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