I love my Peg Perego Pliko3! I bought it after my son was out of an infant seat so I can't say how it works for that but I do know that it works with a number of infant seats especially their own brand. I had the Graco travel system but I did a lot of traveling and it was just to heavy to use. The Pliko is light and not a basic umbrella stroller. The Pliko fold up fairly small but still has lots of extras. The seat is nicely padded and there is a snack tray with cup holder that I love. A lot of the super expensive strollers leave that out which I think is necessary to have. It does come off though so you don't have to use it when a toddler might want to quickly jump in and out of the stroller. I also picked the Pliko because it has a small step that an older child can ride on if there is a smaller child in the stroller. My son is 3 1/2 and I have another on the way so I can't wait to use that feature. I am in and out of the car a lot and it has been good for that. I drive a Suburban and it fits in my back but in my husband's trunk also. I use it for walks in the neighborhood and it works fine but itsn't great for bumpy road conditions. You can lock the front wheels to make uneven paths easier but I don't usually do that. I also use it at the mall all the time and it gets around easily. This stoller has been across country, up and down California, and to a ton of tourist attractions and has been great at them all. Good luck with your search and I hope this helps.
I remember how stressful it was to attempt to figure out what kind of gear we were going to need once the baby arrived! I mean, we had a general idea, but there are so many choices (and lots of different advice) that it was totally overwhelming. We finally settled on the Britax Vigour, specifically because we wanted a 'one in all' stroller (didn't want to have to buy three different strollers in the first year). And, looking back, it's probably the best baby gear purchase we've made. We've used it from day one (she's 6 1/2 months old now). It maneuvers like a dream (you can steer it with one hand), and we take it on dirt paths. I love that Sophie can face toward or away from us (in the stroller seat-- the car seat only faces towards you). And, from the reviews,I know some people were concerned about the weight and bulk (with the stroller seat attached) ...but we take it all over the place, lift it in and out of the car all the time, and it's been fine-- It takes about 30 seconds or less to attach/take off the stroller seat. Anyway. I remember we also looked at the Graco Metrolite (I think that what it's called), because Consumer Reports gave it one of the highest ratings-- But, we didn't like all the plastic (or the way it looked). Congratulations, and hope this helps.
Shem
Hi! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I have three strollers, as well.
Its very hard to find one that fits all of your needs. I used my I'coo by Hauke (very well made German stroller also goes by the name Rock Star Baby-exact same stroller, but about $250 cheaper) for my son until he was about 5 months old. It has large pneumatic rear wheels and does well over grass, dirt, pavement, and indoors. It also comes with a car seat adaptor for the graco snugride infant seat. The chair is reversible to face baby towards you or away from you. It has a fairly low profile for the type of stroller it is, its very stable and mid-weight. The only drawback is that it doesn't have the best sun-shade. I did get tired of stuffing this stroller into the trunk of my Toyota Corolla and once my son was old enough to sit up on his own I purchased a Chicco umbrella stroller (C6 I think). I LOVE IT! It folds easily, semi-reclines, is very stable and is lightweight. I keep this one in my car all the time because its so great for in and out trips. I think it weighs 11 pounds. It has a fairly small sunshade, too. Recently I purchased a BOB Ironman because I took up running. I purchased this one with a stationary front wheel because I didn't want to take this stroller shopping, etc. I use it solely for running, hiking, long walks, etc. I love it too. I rarely use my I'coo anymore because my BOB has replaced it for outdoor activities and I use the umbrella for indoor activities. I have been able to fit all of these strollers in a fairly small trunk.
I suggest finding some friends who have strollers that you could go on a walk with and push the stroller for a significant length of time. See if you like how it handles over grass, dirt, pavement, over sidewalk curbs, jogging paths, if it fits your height, etc. I pushed a few of the top strollers (Graco, Peg Perego, Inglesina, and McClaren) and they didn't feel like they were well made. They felt rickety and made of plastic. That's only my opinion, though. The MacClaren felt nice, but it fell over backwards with my diaper bag on the handles when the baby wasn't in the stroller. When you shop for one, hang a full bag or purse on the handles and see if it is stable. There's nothing more frustrating than dealing with a fussy baby, taking him/her out of the stroller and then having the whole thing fall backwards!!!
There's also a blog called Daddy Types that has some wonderful stroller reviews from dad's in New York with information about using strollers in real-life situations, not just a showroom. I highly recommend it. My husband found this sight and we used it when doing the research to buy our first stroller. If you do a google search for stroller reviews, you'll hit many websites with great information.
Good luck with your baby and on your stroller purchase.
-Heather
Hello!
I have a 14 month old and LOVE our Chicco Travel System (3 of my girlfriends got it after I did and they also love it). We used the infant carrier until he was 20 lbs and loved it. It's very easy to snap into the car base and stroller. The stroller folds up nice and easy. I'm a small girl (5 feet) and had no problem lifting it in and out of our truck.
I did a lot of research on strollers and infant/car seats. The Chicco got very high ratings with Consumer Reports. One of the highest for safety. My son loves sitting up like a big boy in the stroller and holds the tray in front (which is nice to use for snacks and his sippy cup). Good luck in your search.
if you buy a good stroller it will last forever. we bought the combi when my daughter was born (15 yrs ago). that stroller has been everywhere. I used it a lot for a very long time. I think it is better to buy something that will hold up then something that needs replacing every year. that is the one thing I had bought that I did not regret spending the money on.
The Baby Bargains book is great resource for checking out strollers, and their website is even better. There are message boards with a specific section on strollers, and a parents' review section on strollers (www.windsorpeak.com/reviews/items/Strollers/index.htm). If you don't get what you want as a gift, I would highly recommend ebay, craigslist and even local mom's clubs (some have members who sell things within the club and some have sales at various times of the year - both can be great bargains). These last suggestions are also good if you want a second stroller. After having 2 kids, I am all about the bargains! Sorry I don't have any specific info about the strollers you mentioned. I own a Graco Metrolite Travel system (shower gift) and an Inglesina side by side Twin Swift (new but previous year model on ebay), and I am happy with both but there are tons of newer models available since I got those so I couldn't say if I'd get something different now.
Congratulations and Good luck!
Love my combi leightweight stroller!! Infant carseat pops into stroller, great sunshade and only weighs 13 lbs. Really easy to take in and out of car. Love it love it!!
I would start out with a snap and go type stroller where you put the car seat in the frame. They are great for babies with a large basket area. Then you will have more time to check out what kind of stroller will work best for you. I got a MacLaren Volo and I love it. It is very light weight and easy to fold up and put in the car. I can also push it very easily with one hand.
my husband did tons of research and we ended up with a bugaboo. it is a little more expensive, but if i think it's worth it. you only need the one stroller until baby's out of stroller, it's super easy to put in the car, really light, and good for walking. bugaboo has the air-filled wheels that make a BIG difference. check craig's list. we got ours from there--third owners.
We had a Graco Metrolite when our son was born (fit the infant car seat) but honestly used it maybe a dozen times. Not that it's not a good stroller -- it is. We just used carriers/wraps more. When our son was seven months old we traveled to see family, and my mother bought us a $10 Target super cheap thing for our visit. It's been just fine ever since (he's 17 months). It might not do the trick for you (no storage, fairly short handles), but it's worth keeping in mind that umbrella-style strollers are handy as they get older. I can't say we shouldn't have gotten the Graco (the umbrella obviously is no good for an infant), but you can still get an inexpensive (splurge! pay $30!) umbrella one down the road without worrying too much about that budget now.
Dede, I went with the Combi Cosmo travel system. I loved it! It had a tri-fold feature, so it took up less space in the trunk, weighed only 11 lbs, so it was a breeze to lift (even in the few months after birth, when my back and sciatic nerve were killing me!), and it has a strap to carry it when I took my daugther on the bus or plane. It was narrower, so it fits though store aisles and doorways easily, and I could steer it with one hand. The basket is a reasonable size, but not huge. I, personally, never missed a big basket. I don't believe in leaving my purse or belongings in the stroller (was robbed once), and the basket is definitely big enough for a toy or two, some snacks, or a sweatshirt on a chilly day. My Combi also didn't have a cupholder, but the newer model has a removeable one, or I just bought an add-on that slipped on the handle. One thing to really consider, though: the height. This stroller was great in my sandals or flat shoes(I'm 5'9"), but I found it was a bit short for me if I was wearing heels, and it was too short for my husband. He had to bend over a bit to push it (he's 6'1"). I read on the Combi site, though, that the newer model also has a taller handle, too. Anyway, I loved my Combi. I still have it, and I'm reluctant to get rid of it, but my very independent toddler has decided she doesn't want to be in a stroller anymore. It's small enough, though, that I still keep it in the trunk in case we need it, and we plan on taking it to NY with us this summer. Lightweight, easy to fold, easy to move and not all big and cumbersome. The stroller with the infant carseat was about $300, if I remember correctly, and we got it at BabyLand in San Jose, at the corner of Bascam and San Carlos. Good luck!
Congrats!! Let's see, in the past 2 1/2 years I have bought 7 strollers!!! Good Lord, don't let my husband see this!! I received the Graco Travel system that is fabulous!! Snap the baby in and out, and it was a dream. But the stoller was HUGE!! And I had a C-section, so I wanted something smaller. So I got the Graco Snap and Go. It was fabulous!! The only problem was I had HUGE babies, and they didn't stay in the car seats very long because they got too heavy!! (this isn't common though:-) I also had another baby 15 months later, so out with the single stoller...hello, tandem!! (Absolutely love the Combi Sit and Stand, but that is later:-)
If I had to do it all over again, I would get a Graco car seat that has the base, and then just get the snap and go. It was light, minimal, had tons of room and didn't need financing:-). I also bought a $15 umbrella stroller that I have run into the ground, and is so light and small, that you can tote through the airport and fold for easy travel.
After a couple months you can really understand what your needs will be may want to splurge for a Bob or McLaren, or whatever fabulous European invention they have designed:-)
Totally second the Craig's List suggestion...there is always great stuff, and you will find that these little guys grow so fast, most things are hardly used!!
I know where you are coming from when it comes to finding the right stroller. I got a graco snugride for my son as a shower gift with the matching carseat. It was under 200. I wanted a travel system so i could put baby in the car and take baby out without waking him. I think the snap and go is a waste. For me the travel system worked wonders with my son when he was a newborn. When they outgrow the infant carseat you are then stuck with a frame and have no other use for it at 50 bucks. My son out grew his carseat at 7 months. The travel system was great for changing my son if i was in a store or there was no bathroom near by. I could take the carseat out lay him down flat in the stroller and change him right in the storller instead of putting him on a public changer. Little hard to do when they are in a carseat(snap and go)When he was a little over a year I got a Graco metro lightweight stroller since i was in and out of the car a lot more and I also live on the water so I wanted a stroller that still had all the features of a full size stroller but was compact. I could put this stroller in our ski boat and fold the handle bar and it didn't take up anyroom in the boat. The snugride carseat fits in this stroller also. He is 2.5 and big for his age and still fits in metro very well. I got it on sale for 100. I clipped a babies r us coupon for 20 off any stroller. I also like to take a lot of walks and be outdoors so i got a Baby trend jogger for 170 bucks. Never had a problem with it. I have 3 strollers and a carset for under 500. Kids change all the time and so do your lifestyle so i have options with my stroller needs instead of being stuck with one stoller for $800. I guess if you want to take baby over sand, snow and mud these work for those needs. However you do have to buy additional accessories for the bugaboo. Just keep in mind they won't be in a stroller for very long and you have to decide if its all worth it. Once they start walkiing that is all they would rather do then be stuck in a stroller. My advice is go to a few stores and check out all the strollers yourself and make sure you can open and close them on your own and walk around the store with them. Keep in mind what you will be hauling around with you and if you can get to the storage basket easy, think about trying to get your baby in and out, etc.
Just like a car you also need to test drive a stroller. I have been very happy wtih both my graco's and Graco has been around for a very long time. Get what works for you. We all have different needs and lifestyles. Good Luck.
SAHM, 2.5yo son and baby due July
We bought a baby trend snap and go, which works with the infant car seat. They're only about $50 (or you can pick them up off craigslist for about $20 or $25). its v. light, small and easy to manoevre and has a nice big basket underneath. We have a graco now he is out of his infant seat. It does mean buying 2 strollers, but you don't really need the large one for a while. The graco we got was about $150.
Elly
Hi Dede!
The best thing I did to decide on a stroller is to go to the store (like Baby's R Us) and push a couple around for 15-20 minutes each...not kidding. In fact, bring along something heavy to put inside (like a toddler) so you get the feel of it. This helps you decide on a stroller that fits your body.
Good Luck
Kris N
Hi Dede,
Congrats on your soon to be little one! They are just the best!
As for strollers, we currently have 3. If you want something that is going to be easy to get in and out of the car, the Snap-N-GO is awesome! It fits with the Graco car seats and is really convenient.
As for a great walking/running stroller, the Bob Revolution is the BEST!!! I use it every morning on my walk with my dog.
My son is 8 1/2 months and these are the two that we have used.
Now that he is getting bigger, we are looking to get maybe a Maclaren...they are the best small umbrella like stroller. They are very light weight and convenient.
I think that if you look online on craigslist, you can usually find some great deals. Good luck!
I absolutely love my PegPerego. I thought it was a little pricey, but has been well worth it! Its great too because my 3yr.old tides on the back pegs while my 6mo. old sits in it. So now i don't have to lugg around the double stroller for everything.
HI!
I have a Peg Perego Aria. It is great, lightweight, only 11 pounds. I used it all the time for my son (now age 4) and am using it for my 9 month old daughter. I can put a "buggy board" on the back of it so my son can still ride on long walks.
What I love is Peg Perego customer service. I needed a new cup-holder part, they sent it to me free! And when my basket wore out, I bought a new one for cheap.
Good luck.
I started with a snap and go frame that any infant will fit into and when my child got bigger we got a Combi Savvy which was excellent. Lightweight, compact, easy to fold, looked great and maneuvered well in tight spaces and with one hand. I think the Combi was about $200 when we bought it in 1998 but it lasted through 2 kids and was so easy to use. The Combi does not have a huge basket to carry supplies but if you travel light it's great.
To start you should get an inexpensive snap n go stroller frame. I think Kolcraft makes one -- might be called universal carrier or something like that. You can put your infant car seat in it and then you'll be good for about 4-6 months. When the baby is little you want to avoid waking him or her as much as possible, so it's really nice to be able to take sleeping baby's car seat out of the car and place it into the stroller frame. I used one of these exclusively for both my kids until they were about 4-6 months old. I live in the city and walk a lot. The frame was fairly durable. Once you start walking around town with your babe, you'll be much more aware of other moms and kids and strollers. Ask around when you see one you think looks like it might work well for you. I definitely would not spend more than a couple hundred dollars.