As parents, having a travel system (a car seat and a stroller) can relieve you of unnecessary stress. Whether you have a 3-month-old baby or a 24-month-old toddler, with the right travel system, you are good to move around.
Nevertheless, there are a few precautions to take when using a car seat and a stroller. The safety of your child is paramount, hence, you need to understand all that is involved in using a car seat in a stroller.
Is it safe to use a car seat in a stroller? This is what we will focus on in this article and we shall answer the question from different angles to give a clearer picture of what to expect when using a car seat in a stroller.
Recommended: Is Graco car seat safe? (Read this first!)
Table of Contents
Is It Safe To Use A Car Seat In A Stroller?
There is nothing wrong with using an infant car seat in a stroller as long as your little one is well-strapped in the seat. However, before you do that, there are a few things you need to bear in mind.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to stress my newborn that is below 2 months old by riding him/her in a stroller. I’d want to wait until my baby is around 2 to 3 months old before using a stroller.
If you are a mom who loves jogging, waiting for about 2 months after birth wouldn’t cause you any problem. As a matter of fact, you need some rest after childbirth and that’s the perfect time your baby needs to develop before you start using a jogging stroller.
There is nothing bad in using a car seat for a baby less than 2 months old, but if you must do it, it should be for a very short period of time. Allowing a newborn to sleep in a stroller is not safe and parents should discourage that.
Also, if you must use a car seat in a stroller, you must be very vigilant of your child’s surroundings. Typically, a stroller is meant to be used when a child is about 6 months old.
Even though different brands of baby products created room for car seats in strollers, car seats are meant to be used for a short time. There is a reason it is called a “car seat” and we shouldn’t abuse its use by going overboard.
Related: Are jogging strollers good for hiking? (Explained)
How Long Should A Baby Sit In A Car Seat Stroller?
While it is safe for a baby to sit in a car seat stroller, doing so shouldn’t exceed 2 hours per 24 hours. That means you should only consider using a car seat in a stroller for a maximum of 2 hours in a day.
Using a car seat stroller means your little one would be in a semi-upright position (the best angle for an infant car seat is 45 degrees). Leaving a baby in that position for a prolonged time could result to:
- A strain on a child’s developing spine, which is a terrible thing that could happen to any child
- Obstruction of airflow in the respiratory system. This may occur if babies fall asleep in the stroller with their heads flopped forward and it could lead to suffocation.
Therefore, ensure not to exceed the 2-hour mark per day to stay safe with your precious one. You should only consider using a car seat in a stroller when it is necessary to do so.
Overall, it is safe to use a car seat stroller if done in moderation.
Find out here if strollers are allowed in Target.
Before You Use Your Infant Car Seat On A Stroller – Know This!
Knowing that it’s safe to use a car seat in a stroller is one thing, and knowing the right car seat to use on a particular stroller is another thing. You can’t use any car seat on any stroller.
While some brands of strollers produce adapters to accommodate other brands of car seats, it is usually better to use a car seat and a stroller from the same company.
For example, if you own a Graco stroller, you can only use a Graco car seat on the stroller. Additionally, since Graco has both Click Connect and Classic Connect car seats, the car seat you plan to use must match the stroller – a Click Connect car seat should go with a Click Connect stroller and vice versa.
It is essential to choose the right stroller and car seat because the car seat must clip properly for safety reasons.
Related: Are strollers allowed in Walmart? (Explained)
Do You Have To Buckle a Car Seat In A Stroller?
Yes, you should always buckle the car seat in the stroller to prevent your little one from tipping over. Remember, we are talking about babies that are less than 6 months old, with little or no head and trunk control.
Always use the harness system that comes with the car seat when going on a ride with your child. It is the safest and number one thing to do before leaving your home.
Conclusion
Using a car seat in a stroller is safe as long as you follow the safety guidelines. If you can, you should wait until your child is about 2 months before using the car seat stroller.
Also, do not go overboard with the use of a car seat stroller. Only use it for its purpose and never exceed 2 hours every 24 hours. Make sure you use a car seat that is compatible with the right stroller.
If you must take a stroll with your newborn, you should get a bassinet stroller that can fully recline and is designed for newborns.
