While this may not be as much fun as a new ATV or Waverunner thread, I am asking you guys for help. My wife is due sometime around mid-March and we are starting to pick out nursery furniture, etc. One thing that we are unsure of are strollers/car seats. It seems that most of them work together so you are pretty much forced to buy the same brand of each.

Two of the brands that we are most interested in are the Chicco brand and the Combi brand. We both like their styling and feel either one would be suitable for our child. The main difference between the two brands is that the Chicco seems to be a little roomier with more storage and conversely the Combi is very compact with much less storage.

The advantage of the Chicco is that it has an adjustable pushbar which might make it easier for a taller man to push, the storage is greater for all of the extra baby gear, and it may be more comfortable for the child as they grow because of its greater size.

The advantage of the Combi is pretty much the fact that it is much more lightweight and compact.



So, do any of you fathers or mothers have any advice to share to a future parent? I don't want to buy one of these and then a couple of months later realize I need something completely different. I appreciate any and all responses.

Disclaimer: I will more than likely disregard anything that Mattineer has to share about his stroller/car seat experiences.

 

Don't do that. If he hasn't managed to break it, it is probably a well built and excellent stroller/car seat.

 

My advice is to go with maximum storage space, as that need will win out over weight, performance and handling every time. If possible, get a combo system where the car seat snaps into the stroller, and get an extra base for the 2nd car (if required) so you don't need to buy a 2nd seat.

 

Eddie Bauer 01726AFD - Ashford Integrated Travel System

 

Get a peg perego venezia stroller. http://www.pegperego.com/
They are the F-150 of strollers

car seat snaps into stroller too

 

When our daughters were babies, we had a Silver Cross pram and then a Maclaren (yes, same company as the race team) Stroller.

Don't know if you can get them in the USA but they are both top quality.

 

the following advice should be considered if you are only going to have one child.

i just cleaned out my attic a couple of weeks ago. i filled the bed of my truck, and put some more stuff in rear of the cab. it was all left over 'baby stuff' from our son who is now 8.

i had 3 or 4 car seats, a peg preggo carriage, and lots of other stuff, and it was all in excellent condition.

we went to a 'mission' that accepts items for those who are needy. wouldnt take, or look at any of it. went to the salvation army, same deal there. called two churches before we could find anyone who would take any of it.

i think there are laws governing the re-use of child seats in new jersey, but the other items were all in good shape (some of it in boxes that were never opened).

my advice would be to read-up somewhere (like consumer reports) and dont neccessarily buy the most expensive, esoteric items that are available. we used the stuff for a short period of time, and looking back on it now, i think could have made better choices by shopping smarter and not buying the most expensive items out there.