A car seat and a pram usually sit right at the top of every new parent’s must-have list. After all, you can’t even leave the hospital without a car seat! But once you start researching, it quickly becomes clear that there are a lot of options. From capsules and rear-facing seats through to forward-facing seats and boosters—there’s plenty to consider.
Then there’s the pram: travel system or not? Big wheels or compact frame? Parent-facing or outward-facing? One that rocks your baby and makes you a latte? (Sadly, that last one doesn’t exist… yet.)
It’s no surprise that many first-time parents walk into a baby store feeling confident and walk out 10 minutes later completely overwhelmed. One of the first major decisions to make is whether to choose a travel system or go with a separate stroller and car seat.
What is a travel system?
A travel system is when your capsule car seat clips directly into your stroller frame. Many parents find this the most flexible option for travelling with a newborn—but like anything, there are both pros and cons.
•Pro: It’s super convenient
This is the biggest reason parents love travel systems. If your baby falls asleep in the car, you can transfer the capsule straight onto the pram without waking them. Second-time parents especially love this for school and daycare drop-offs when time is tight.
•Con: Capsules have a shorter lifespan
Most capsules are suitable for babies up to 6–12 months, meaning they don’t last as long as a convertible 0–4 year car seat. Some parents prefer the longevity of one seat that lasts several years. Convertible seats also allow children to remain rear-facing for longer, which is the safest way for them to travel.
That said, there is a great compromise. The Britax B-Pod Baby Capsule and B-Pod Lite Baby Capsule can be used for up to 12 months, giving you extended use of the travel system. Once your baby outgrows the capsule, you can then move them into a 0–4 convertible car seat with extended rear-facing capability for the next stage.
•Pro: Travel system prams are often easier to collapse and are more compact
Unless you’re driving a bus, boot space quickly becomes premium once a baby arrives. Between nappies, spare clothes, bottles and toys, storage fills up fast. Choosing a pram that folds easily and compactly is essential.
Take the Britax Mini Stroller, for example. It can be folded with the seat attached, or when removed, folds down to a super-compact 77cm × 29cm × 60cm. With a frame weight of just 7kg, it’s easy to lift into the boot without straining your back.
•Con: Babies shouldn’t be in car seats for long periods of time
It’s important to remember that babies shouldn’t remain in any car seat for long periods of time. Prolonged time in a seated position can increase the risk of breathing difficulties and is not a substitute for a flat sleep surface such as a bassinet or cot.
Short trips to the shops or school drop-offs are perfectly fine in a capsule. Just ensure your baby is correctly strapped in, check on them regularly, and avoid extended periods in the car seat when not travelling.
•Pro: Travel systems are a great option for more than one child
If you already have a child, are expecting another, or are welcoming twins, a travel system can be an excellent solution. The Britax Aptana Stroller, for example, offers a wide range of configurations to suit growing families.
For twins, you can fit two bassinets or two capsules in tandem mode, and later transition to two toddler seats. For a newborn and an older child, you can mix and match bassinets, capsules and seats in both parent-facing and forward-facing positions—making it an incredibly versatile option for family life.
•Con: Not all babies like capsules
Some parents are completely sold on the idea of a travel system—only to discover their baby is not. Whether it’s the enclosed feeling or the angle of the seat, some babies simply don’t settle well in capsules. If this happens, double-check that your baby is positioned comfortably and that the harness isn’t too tight before making any changes.
With all of this in mind, you’ll hopefully feel far more prepared the next time you step into a baby store. Remember, every family’s lifestyle is different—so only you can decide what’s right for you and your baby. Good luck!
