lightweight travel systems

[Bells3032]

20 weeks pregnant now so can finally start looking at stuff.

I have muscular issues so I am very keen for whatever i buy to be lightweight but safe esp the car seat itself (i remember with my nephew's barely being able to lift it).

I want an all in one travel system. I am not so concerned about price but just safety for me and baby.

Any recommendations please?

Babyzen YoYo could be a great choice because it weighs practically nothing. They have their own car seat but it’s compatible with many others too including several maxi cosi and cybex models. That said, do you really want a travel system? Small babies aren’t supposed to spend very long in car seats for safety, even the lightest seats still weigh a lot once you add in the baby, and my babies always woke when lifted out of the car anyway.

Agree with PP about not needing a travel system - I never used the car seat on the chassis for my eldest and only once or twice for my youngest. Last time the baby seat came out of the car was when I got it MOTed in February. I either use a buggy or sling or just carry them if it's short distances.

I'd go for a good quality lightweight buggy you can use from birth so like the babyzen or I think there's a silver cross one that is often recommended on here.

I did use a lie flat car seat on the buggy but would agree if you want lightweight then a separate car seat and buggy would be better. Car seats weigh a tonne so the less you have to shift then about the better if you have muscular issues.

I remember seeing a car seat where you press a button and wheels come out. Sorry not the best description but maybe something you can search for.

It’s a Doona that you’re thinking of! Handy to do the school run if you drive and need to get baby in/out of the car quickly but it’s definitely not a substitute for a proper stroller because a newborn shouldn’t be in it for more than 40 minutes at a time.

Oh i was looking at the doona. didn't realise you could only use it for 40 mins. assumed it was 3 hours a day like a regular car seat

I think car seat guidance is 40 minutes at a time for a newborn, in any seat, but then get baby out for feed, change etc and it resets. The issue with the Doona is that you drive somewhere that takes a while and you can’t then push baby around in a pram like you would normally without going over this. Baby will also outgrow it in about a year then you’ll need a new car seat and pram. It will also be much heavier than lifting a light stroller out of the car then lifting baby into it. Plus muddy pram wheels on your back seat instead of in the boot of the car where they belong. Up to you if you think it would help but I think it’s a bit of a gimmick.

Personally I needed a really light set up when my first was a baby because we lived in a 3rd floor apartment with no lift, and no off street parking so the stroller had to come up every time. I went with the YoYo and got a 360 spin convertible car seat that stays in the car but lasts from birth until about 4 years old. It worked really well for us!

Go see some different things in shops though and practice picking things up, folding etc though and you’ll find the best thing for you :)