Limited Terrain Stroller

Posted on Monday, October 25th, 2010 at 5:15 am

graco infant car seat compatibility with stroller?

I have graco "snugride" infant car seat. Do I have to buy graco brand stroller to fit this infant seat to stroller?

For example,
I am considering
1. Graco Vie4 Stroller
2. Graco Quattro Deluxe
3. Jeep Liberty Limited 3 Wheel All Terrain Stroller
4. Baby Trend velocity jogger stroller

Will I have compatibility issues????

The Gracos will fit. Baby Trend also tends to fit.

HOWEVER... Keeping the baby in a car seat while in the stroller (especially asleep) is not safe for their breathing because it keeps them in an inclined position which droops their chin against their chest and lowers their oxygen levels. Car seats should be used for transportation in the car, not for in the stroller. If possible, until 3 months old they recommend laying them flat, and until 6 months old until they are sitting well to lay them at a very good recline (something like 20-30degree. Car seats are specifically designed to hold them at 45degrees for safety in the car.)

Of those the Graco Quattro Deluxe and Graco Vie4 do lay completely flat, and you can put the feet up. This gives you the ability to make it into a pram, and that is safe for newborn babies. So, the Graco ones would be perfect for use with a newborn.

The Baby Trend Velocity Jogger Stroller is what we have and I love it. It lays back nearly flat, flat enough to be approved for 2 months and up, so long as you don't run with it. So if you are willing to carry your baby for the 2 months in something like a chest carrier (they're so small at that age anyway...) then I would go with that one because of how easy it is to push, and how thin it is, and the large wheels which go anywhere. I love ours! However, looking at the Velocity it's not approved for use until 6 months old, which makes me think it doesn't lay as completely flat. You can see how flat it lays in this youtube, so maybe it would work from a few months on.

The Jeep one is good in that it has rubber wheels, and it does allow the Graco Snugride to fit. But it doesn't lay down very well, and it's not supposed to be used as an actual jogging stroller which sort of makes me laugh. (It's a jogging stroller that can't jog...)

Add: The studies done about incline levels and car seats actually aren't entirely sure if it's only incline levels or also the slight curl that the seats go into. Right now, the studies basically say the flatter they are the better. For instance, in a hospital bassinet, flat bottom but at an incline, the babies have higher oxygen levels than in a car-seat. So there may be an issue with the slight curl as well. It's something to keep in mind, and right now they're erring on the side of caution and telling parents only to use car seats for riding in cars.

I did NOT thumbsdown you. I'm actually encouraged to see them trying to address the problem and hope they do.