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Is there a universal frame stroller that works with all infant car seats? Lets find out.
A lightweight frame stroller is a practical product that makes it easy to take you baby around in the first few months, and does not require you to invest in a high end, fully featured stroller. It gives you the time to understand what you really need for your baby, so a few months later you can buy a suitable stroller for your family.
The only downside with this approach is that you will not need the frame stroller after the first few months. But hey, these are inexpensive and you can buy them really cheap if you are okay to use a used product. You can read more on frame strollers here.
So assuming you’re convinced you need a frame stroller, the next question is which frame stroller to buy? Well, it will depend on what car seat you intend to use.
There is no single universal frame stroller that will work with all the car seats out there!
Surprised that there is no universal stroller frame for car seats?
Lot of users are disappointed after buying a so-called universal frame stroller only to find out that their car seat does not perfectly fit the stroller. Just because a frame stroller claims to be a universal frame stroller does not mean that any infant car-seat is going to just attach to its base.
In general, the car seat is attached to stroller frame using a Click-in system or a Strap-in system. You can read more here.
Most of these universal stroller frames come with a strap that you need to use to secure the car seats (for the ones that do not attach perfectly). You need to fasten a seat belt across the car seat and pull another strap below it to secure the car seat in place.
On these universal frame strollers, you have to strap in the car seat (some of them) to the frame stroller. Not all car seats “snap” into a frame stroller like the way they do on travel systems. Some car seat may just sit on top of a frame stroller and you will then need to secure the car seat with a strap to the stroller.
While most parents are fine using a strap to tighten and secure the car seat, and have experienced a positive experience, some parents do not like this arrangement as they worry about the safety of the child.
If you really have to use the strap to secure your car seat, make sure you first test the frame stroller with your car-seat and a doll to get a feel and to see how wobbly the car seat is when placed on the stroller. If the car seat wobbles too much it may be a good idea not to use the frame stroller because it could be unsafe.
So, while there are some frame strollers such as the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go Universal infant car seat carrier that claim to work with all the Baby Trend and most major brands of Infant Car Seat, you need to remember that you may have to strap in your car seat.
If you want peace of mind, make sure that the frame stroller is really compatible with the infant car seat that you have, and specifically mentions that it works with the infant car seat that you have or plan to buy..
Despite the limitations of these infant car seat carriers, these are still popular products because these are cheap and it makes it easy to get the baby in and out of the car. And these do work well with a lot of infant cars seats, in which case the experience of using a frame stroller is very good.
- These are extremely lightweight and convenient in the initial few months; these can weigh as low as 10 lbs.
- A frame stroller is also a practical option until the time you figure out which stroller you need that would suit your lifestyle.
If you still have any questions as to whether you need a frame stroller, you can read more here.
StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
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