Your Questions & Queries About Baby Travel Systems Answered
If you are expecting a new arrival or have recently become a proud parent, one of the biggest investments you are probably about to make is a baby travel system. This can be a surprisingly difficult decision to make because there is just so much choice available! There’s a huge range of styles, functions, colours, sizes, and so on.
It’s an important decision because you will obviously want a travel system that transports your baby safely and comfortably, and also fits in with your lifestyle. Here’s a look at the main features of baby travel systems to help you make an informed decision.
What is a baby travel system?
A baby travel system is a combined pushchair or pram and car seat, and sometimes includes a carrycot as well. It allows you to easily transport a sleeping baby without the need to disturb them when you transfer them from the pushchair to the car.
The car seat and the carrycot are designed to click on and off the frame of the pram or pushchair. Travel systems are generally intended to be used for infants from birth up until about 15 months to three years of age, but it also depends on the size and weight of the child, so be sure to check with the individual product specifications.
It is also possible to buy a pushchair separately that is compatible with several different types of car seat, rather than buying the whole travel system as a package. This gives you more freedom of choice for the car seat, but you may need to buy adapters to make it fit onto the pram or pushchair chassis. This can make it a more expensive option.
Are travel systems worth the investment?
Baby travel systems are ideal for parents who make frequent car journeys with their children, for example if they take them to nursery or a childminder during the working week. It minimises disruption to the baby’s sleep routine, and is also convenient and time-saving for parents who are operating to a busy timetable.
It is a legal requirement in the UK for all children under the age of 12 (or until they are a height of 135cm) to travel in a car seat. Furthermore, newborns up to the weight of 10kg must be transported in EU-approved seats that are lie-flat, lateral, or rear-facing with a baby harness.
What features should you look for when choosing a travel system?
The main priority for many new parents is of course a system that meets the needs of their baby in terms of comfort and safety. By law it should comply with the British or EU safety standards. The seat should recline so that newborns can lie flat on their backs.
It’s also important to consider how convenient and easy the system is for you to use. Is it lightweight enough for you to easily lift and manoeuvre, for example? How easily does the chassis fold up, and does it fit into the boot of your car easily?
Consider any extra features that you might find useful, such as multi-car seat adapters if you have more than one vehicle, or will be changing your car at some point in the future; storage for changing bags or backpacks; weather protection such as a hood or rain shield; and cup holders.
The places that you will be using the travel system should also be considered. If you live in an urban area and will mainly be using it on flat paved surfaces, a lightweight stroller that is easy to handle may meet your needs. If you live in the countryside or enjoy long walks in rural areas, look for a more rugged design with larger wheels to cope with rough terrain.
Is it worth buying a second-hand travel system?
It is possible to buy second-hand travel systems if affordability is a key consideration. However, you should find out how heavily it has previously been used, and if its integrity and safety might have been compromised by damage, misuse or impacts. Check the condition of it very carefully, and ensure that it complies with the relevant safety standards.
Be particularly careful with second-hand products to check that they have not been subject to any safety recall notices, and that it has no defects or malfunctions.