Some of the first and highest ticket items you buy for a baby are a stroller and infant car seat. These two are independent but related, and it can all be a bit confusing (it was for me). This is a quick practical guide I wrote for friends who will go through this purchase in the future. I was relieved to learn these items are still dumb (= no smart technology involved) in 2025, and hope this continues for as long as possible. First, some terms:

Infant car seat

This is the seat the baby comes home in from the hospital. You’re legally required to have it. Very important!

Lifespan: A year, give or take, up until the kid is 30–35 lbs. You can store it for future kids, but like a bike helmet the seat materials will expire in 6-10 years.

What’s in the box: The actual seat and a solid base that installs into a car. Typically the base stays in the car.

Stroller

Lifespan: Four to five years, up until the kid is 50-65lbs or no longer wants to ride in it. Can store and use indefinitely for future kids.

What’s in the box: A stroller frame (all the metal scaffolding) and a stroller seat. The seat can only be used after a child is around six months. Before then you attach your infant car seat to the frame.

Travel system

Refers to a bundle of stroller (with seat) and infant car seat. This lets you clip your infant car seat and in out of the stroller frame.

Bassinet

Sometimes called a pram, this is a horizontal bed for newborns. You’ll likely buy one for the home, but many stroller companies also sell bassinet attachments for their frames so you can go on a walk with your newborn. To use you would remove the stroller seat and attach the bassinet. Newborns must be flat until their neck muscles fully develop.

Adapters

These are small plastic pieces that make it possible to buy different brands and make them work together (e.g a stroller from one company and an infant car seat or basinett from another). The market is mature enough where most brands play nice with one another.

Doona

The Doona is an all-in-one travel system for a newborn. Many parents swear by it. It’s an infant car seat that converts into stroller and vice versa. And fits in a car using seat belts and anchors.

Jogger stroller

A more specialized type of stroller that typically has three wheels. Has better suspension. You can use this as your main stroller. Some quality brands for this type are Thule, BOB, Guava, Uppababy.

Travel stroller

Travel strollers are compact strollers that fold up into a petite package. Some even fit in overhead compartments on planes. Compatibility with infant car seats vary. Some quality models are the Stokke Yoyo and Bugaboo Butterfly.

Main configurations

Build a setup that works for your life.

Doona now + Main stroller later

Start with a Doona until the kid no longer fits. Then, store or sell the Doona and buy a full sized stroller that the kid fits in.

Travel system (infant car seat + main stroller) up front

A travel system allows for a bit more flexibility, but it’s also more items to purchase up front.

Infant car seat + main stroller up front + travel stroller later

Same as number two, with the addition of a travel stroller. It can be convenient to keep a travel stroller in the trunk of your car at all times for quick errands (grocery, doctors appts) and have a main stroller be a heavier, bulkier workhorse for around the neighborhood or hikes.

Buying considerations

You technically need an infant car seat first for a critical period but you’ll use a stroller for longer overall, and its more expensive. So it’s worth buying them as a set, as they’re both important in their own ways. It’s best to test drive a bunch of strollers to figure out what you like. Our local Nordstrom had a ton of brands to try.

Infant car seat questions

How safe is this carseat for my newborn?

Generally safety standards in the US are below other countries. In Canada, for example, you cannot buy a Doona because it is not safe enough.

What’s the cost?

Price can range from $200 to $500.

What’s the weight?

You’ll be pushing and lifting this around a lot.

How easy will the fabric be to clean?

In the event of blowouts can you wash the insert or wipe it easily?

Stroller questions

What’s the cost?

Price can range from $200 to $1500.

What’s the weight?

You’ll be pushing and lifting this around a lot.

How easy is it to fold?

You may have baby in one hand and stroller in the other. Is it easy to fold with one hand?

How much can it store?

How much storage does the stroller have for groceries, etc.?

How much space does the folded version take up?

Will this stroller take most of your trunk space?

Is this stroller compatible with the car seats I’m considering?

Important if you want to mix and match brands.

Can this stroller accommodate two children in case I have another child?

Some strollers can extend from one kid to two. One very popular option in this category is the UppaBaby Vista. These strollers will be a little overkill for one kids because they have so much extra capacity. And sometimes there are specific restrictions on configurations for the two kid setup. Opinions vary here.

Does the stroller have a lie-flat option? Or bassinet attachment?

Strollers marketed as lie-flat are usually never usually 100% lie flat.

How are the suspension and tires?

Depending on terrain the wheels may matter. There is a spectrum from small plastic wheels to large air filled wheels, like a bike.

What we picked

Stroller

Uppababy Cruz V2 with bassinet attachment

We liked the feel and storage of this one. It felt just right.

Infant Car Seat

Clek Liing with Uppababy Adapters

We liked the easy to clean fabric and aesthetics. Safety seems great.

We bought the car seat from our local baby store (they were incredibly helpful in most of this information) and the stroller and accessories from Nordstrom (they had all the strollers to test drive and have a great return policy).