What Is a Car Seat With Stroller?

Whether you’re shopping for a stroller for your infant or adding to your existing collection, there are plenty of options to consider. A car seat with stroller is a convenient option for many parents since you can keep your child close by as you run errands, go grocery shopping and take long walks. However, it’s important to choose a car seat and stroller combo that is compatible with your vehicle and suits your family’s needs. To help you do just that, Good Housekeeping Institute parenting pros have evaluated more than 30 stroller and car seat combos to find the best ones on the market.

What Is a Car Seat with Stroller?

A car seat with stroller is exactly what it sounds like: a stroller that can snap onto a car seat so you don’t have to unbuckle your baby and transfer them. This is especially helpful if you plan to spend most of your time traveling with your baby and need a way to keep them safe on the road.

Some travel systems include a bassinet for newborns, so you can use one stroller frame through your baby’s early years. Others allow you to remove the stroller seat and just sit your car seat on top of the base for a more traditional stroller. Some even offer a toddler seat that can be added when your baby outgrows the infant car seat.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, if you’re choosing a car seat with stroller that includes a bassinet, it’s recommended by experts to not leave your baby snoozing for more than an hour in the car seat without switching them over to a flat surface. Their soft, young backs can get damaged from this extended reclining position.

The Doona is a unique convertible car seat that can snap into its matching stroller so you can avoid having to remove and re-buckle your baby from the car seat to the stroller every time you leave and come back. This all-in-one travel system is perfect for babies 4 to 35 pounds. It features an ergonomic infant insert that cradles your newborn in the correct car seat-safe sleeping position, and it has superior side impact protection that meets or exceeds US and European safety standards.

Other perks of this car seat and stroller combo include:

You should also consider what features you want in a stroller, like how much storage space it has, whether it has a cupholder or tray for snacks, and whether it can recline to make the car seat into a bassinet. And, of course, you’ll want to make sure the stroller and car seat are compatible with your vehicle and fit your baby’s height and weight restrictions. Lastly, look for easy-to-use features, like brakes that lock with clear visual indicators and “click-in” car seat installation. And, if you’re going to be using your stroller for multiple kids, consider one with a double seat or ride board.