https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:22:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-706647 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:02:56 +0000 MamaMagpie 706647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh how I love you Bees! I only have two IRL mama friends and both had/have very different needs and criteria! I think DH will try again to go out and test drive (the first time was pretty overwhelming) next weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-706551 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:48:16 +0000 heartonastring 706551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used Lucie's List to research a lot of gear and it really helped clear up how overwhelmed I felt by all the options. I found it to be a super helpful resource!</p> <p>For the record, we ended up with the Britax B-Agile stroller and Britax B-Safe infant seat. I liked the Britax better than the UB when I tried them out side-by-side. I think a lot it comes down to personal preference though, so I would definitely recommend trying out all the strollers in which you're interested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-706491 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:10:13 +0000 MamaCate 706491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had the chiccokeyfit and loved it. It was the best rated by consuumer reports when we looked so that helped make the decision. We inherited a snap n go so we usee that for the first six months. Then we got a bob which is our primary stroller and we love. We then added a cheap first years umbrella stroller recently for malls/airports. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704726 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:50:46 +0000 loveisstrange 704726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: @evenstar982: C actually prefers to face out now. She likes being able to look around and rubberneck at everything. I think she would, honestly, be frustrated with looking at me all the time. She stays much calmer this way.</p> <p>ETA: We used a Graco Snugride with ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704642 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:29:52 +0000 Revel 704642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If price were no object we would have gotten the UppaBaby for sure, and I think it fits all your criteria. We ended up getting the City Mini. I've heard great things about it, but haven't used it yet. Our LO is due in June.</p> <p>I wanted a parent facing option so was initially reluctant about the City Mini, but in talking with my mom and other parents, they said once the child is sitting up in the stroller, they want to face out anyway most of the time so they can see what's going on, so the parent facing option probably wouldn't get much use.</p> <p>ETA: regarding the carseat, we just went with the one that fit the best in our small car, and plan to use a snap n go until she is big enough for the City Mini. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704623 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:22:16 +0000 tinyperson 704623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: we went back and forth between the two as well, but were shorter, and have stairs from our front door and to.the garage so wanted the lighter one...she loved the bassinet too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704279 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:46:03 +0000 wheres_c 704279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the car seat with snap and go in the early days. It's way more convenient than a super bulky stroller. I am so happy with my Chico key fit. Originally we had bought the graco snugride, but the handle is hollow molding and hurt my hand. We returned it and got the key fit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704250 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:23:14 +0000 hilsy85 704250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the UB vista and love it. We used the bassinet a lot, and I'm glad we had it--LO slept so well in there on stroller walks, and we used it at night as well. We also looked at the bugaboo cam, and the main reasons we didn't go for it are that the fold is a 2 piece fold (you have to take the toddler seat off to fold it) and I felt that it was very low to the ground (my husband and I are both on the taller side). But those are kind of my own personal pet peeves--they're both great options! The bugaboo is more lightweight than the vista for sure</p> <p>@looch: I totally agree, that was why it was important to us to get a stroller with a bassinet attachment. We used it until LO grew out of it/started to look uncomfortably scrunched! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704243 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:17:59 +0000 looch 704243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@evenstar982: I had/have a TFK Joggster Twist. It was my dream stroller, and they've since improved it to make the bassinet adjustable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704234 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:15:43 +0000 evenstar982 704234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I initially had my heart set on the City Mini or CM GT, but recently I've waivered a lot because of the lack of 'parent facing' options except for when used with the infant carseat.<br /> Did you find this a problem with your LO or were you happy to have them facing away from you in the main seat? I would like to use the fully-reclined seat with a newborn but not really keen on having them facing out to the wide world - feels a bit too 'exposed' to me? </p> <p>@looch: I think I agree... what pushchair did/do you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704214 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:51:21 +0000 tinyperson 704214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the cameleon, and I loved the bassinet! I don't drive though, and we don't drive our vehicle all that often, so don't use the carseat that much. I think your decision really depends on how you're going to use it.</p> <p>Also, my LO was born in December, so when it was cold, I could put her in a really warm snowsuit and lots of blankets which you can't really do with a carseat... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704212 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:49:48 +0000 Foodnerd81 704212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: the city mini only faces out in the regular seat, right? </p> <p>We are planning on the UB Vista. I wanted face in or out with the regular seat, and we live in the city in New England, so the wheels have to be super sturdy and able to get through slush, snow, brick or cobble stone sidewalks... Plus I walk everywhere so the basket will be my "car." I'm less concerned about the weight since I won't take it in and out of the car that often, but it is easy to fold-- though def not as easy as the city mini which is insanely quick and easy to fold and unfold.<br /> For the bassinet, if you have no stairs leading into your house it can be a lifesaver. My sister had a bugaboo chameleon and would walk the baby to sleep, wheel him into the elevator, and right into the apt and let him sleep right in there. We have stairs up to my apt so I'm not sure how much use I will get out if it. I will likely also get a cheap carseat stroller base for quick trips in the car but for long walks will use the UB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704211 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:49:42 +0000 looch 704211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am probably the only one on the boards that thinks the bucket seat was a waste of money for us. We used it so little and honestly, in those first months, babies shouldn't be sitting up so much unless there is a compelling medical reason. They should obviously be in the car seat when they are riding in the car, but if you're out and about, they should be lying flat. </p> <p>We used the bassinet for about 8 months, DS loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704202 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:30:52 +0000 ladybee 704202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I think we decided on the City Mini after hearing how many people love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704199 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:24:00 +0000 T.H.O.U. 704199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the B Ready. It's probably larger than what you are looking for for there is the similar B agile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704193 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:11:25 +0000 heffalump 704193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Asked my real life mommy friend and ended up getting a chicco travel system. It's pretty bulky, but it worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704190 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:06:57 +0000 loveisstrange 704190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love my City Mini! It had a universal carseat attachment, it's lightweight, can fold and unfold with one hand, has a decent sized basket and a nice big canopy, plus is handles really well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704146 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:46:02 +0000 evenstar982 704146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Subscribing to this as I'm totally confused too @MamaMagpie! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704139 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:12:06 +0000 Sweet T 704139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Chicco Cortina stroller and had the Chicco keyfit carseat too. I loved them both. The stroller is super easy to collapse. It can easily be collapsed with one hand. It's also really easy to push and rides smoothly. The seat also lays completely flat if you need it to. I've read some reviews where people thought the carseat was heavy but I didn't think so. We used it until DS was about 10 months old and plan on getting another for baby #2. Another plus for us was the affordability.</p> <p>I would definitely go to your nearest BRU or BBB and try out some different models when you have time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704131 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:22:06 +0000 sunny 704131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love my Britax B-Agile carseat and stroller. Super lightweight and easy to fold but it doesn't allow you to swap directions the baby faces. In the carseat, baby faces you and when they sit in the seat, baby faces out. I believe there is a bassinet option but we didn't buy it because I didn't think we'd want to unstrap baby from the carseat to get her into the stroller. </p> <p>The Britax B-Ready is similar to the UppaBaby Vista and you can swap directions for the seat. There is also definitely a bassinet option as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704122 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:43:15 +0000 Raindrop 704122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an orbit baby. I really like it but it is kind of pricy. :)</p> <p>If you are interested I can go into more detail but I think the price is a deal braker for most people. </p> <p>In 2012 the price for the infant car seat + stroller (car seat attaches to stroller) + two bases was about 1000 dollars. When LO got too big for the infant car seat at about 11 month we had to get the toddler car seat which was about 350 dollars.</p> <p>Outside of the price we really like it. :). It was easy to travel on a plane with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704098 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:19:25 +0000 MamaMagpie 704098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies! So far that's two votes for the Uppababy :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704068 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:03:45 +0000 yerpie110 704068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the uppababy Cruz and we love it! It fits all of the criteria you listed (and those were similar to the criteria I had when shopping). We were deciding between the Cruz and baby jogger versa - the versa is slightly easier to fold (as all baby jogger strollers are), but was heavier than the Cruz so for us, the lighter weight won out. </p> <p>We have the chicco keyfit30 as our car seat and we love that too! It's the car seat all of our friends had so we never really looked at any others. </p> <p>I recommend going stroller test-driving if you're able too! Not only did that help us solidify our decision, it was a pretty fun way to spend an afternoon :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704066 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:59:35 +0000 sandy 704066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used our Graco infant carseat and the Snap &amp; Go stroller when LO was first born up until she was about 5 months. I LOVED the Snap &amp; Go...SOOOOO light, SOOO easy to fold, SOOO compact...and the basket in the bottom is pretty good so I would just use that as my shopping basket instead of putting LO's carseat in the shopping cart. </p> <p>But LO got pretty heavy around 5 months so we upgraded her stroller to an UppaBaby Vista. It is NOT lightweight, but it's easy to fold and super convenient (large basket so it can carry lots of stuff). I live in the suburbs so I don't use her stroller for quick trips to the store...I use it at the mall or places where there is no shopping cart available. I get a ton of use out of it though b/c we go on walks all the time and now that she's older we take it to the zoo/park. I love it, but haven't used the bassinet since we didn't get it until LO was 5 months...and honestly, I don't see myself using the bassinet with baby #2. My husband thinks I'll continue to use the UppaBaby with baby #2, but honestly, I loved my Snap &amp; Go so much, I may just use that until baby #2 is out of the infant carseat...we shall see. The reason we went with the Vista was the option to have the rumbleseat and/or piggyback/scooter attachments so LO #1 has an option to ride along for longer outings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-feeling-overwhelmed-by-gear#post-704048 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:34:24 +0000 MamaMagpie 704048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Specifically which stroller and carseat to get...</p> <p>How did you decided which to buy? At first, I thought a stroller with a bassinet option (like the Bugaboo Cameleon) was the way to go, but then I realized that the bassinet would only be used for a few months and that during that time we would probably mostly use an infant carseat attachment with the stroller.</p> <p>My current "musts" include:<br /> - ability to be forward or rear facing<br /> - easy to fold<br /> - lightweight<br /> - ability to use either a bassinet or carseat attachment</p> <p>Anyone absolutely love their stroller? Or absolutely hate it? Brands we have looked at include Bugaboo, Mamas &amp; Papas and Uppababy... </p>