LilSugar

Strollin': Travel System Strollers Worth Taking for a Spin

babysugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 06:00:59 -0700

One of the toughest baby gear decisions a mother-to-be has to make is which stroller to buy. With all the options available, it's near impossible to test drive every ride. So, I am reviewing a vast assortment of buggies for all of you mommies in a stroller quandary. This past week I explored a small army of travel systems, which you can see below. Tune in all this month for reviews of singles, doubles and jogger systems!

Peg Perego Skate Review	Quinny Buzz Review	Stokke Xplory Review
Orbit Baby Review	Bugaboo Cameleon Review	Review Overview

Strollin': Peg Perego Skate

babysugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:00:03 -0700

Last on my list of travel stroller systems is the new Peg Perego Skate. The Italian born Skate is easy on the eyes and a smooth ride, but the $900 price tag will make you flinch.

Like so many of its peers, the Skate can face forward or backward depending on mommy's preference. Only the Skate seat has telescoping capabilities giving tots the option to see the world in varying ways. The Skate also brags,"One Soul, Two Identities" as it stands alone in its ability to transform the bassinet to a toddler seat by simply releasing a few straps. If your child falls asleep in the seated position, you can quickly and easily turn the seat into a comfy napping spot where baby can spread out and relax. Even better, it means that the bassinet and the toddler seat are included in the price.

To learn more about the Peg Perego Skate, read more.

Available in five different colors and patterns, the fabric on the stroller seems like it would be a dream for toddlers to ride in while the tires offer an equally smooth ride - like skating, if you will. Unique to the Skate is the netted basket for storage. Weight tested, the bungee secured carry-all can stow loads of goodies or bags without dragging on the ground.

For a buggy that weighs 33.7 pounds, the device is simple to collapse but a bit cumbersome to lift and stow. To take some of the load off, parents can take the seat off and fold the stroller base separately. The only infant car seat that fits the Skate frame is the, you guessed it, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio infant car seat. The stroller can grow with tots until they tip the scales at 45 pounds. Also included in the price are the following accessories: cup holder, weather shield and infant car seat adapter.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Stokke Xplory

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

If Jane Jetson was your role model growing up, the Stokke Xplory ($1200) may be for you. Though the Orbit Baby title probably suits the space lady better, the Xplory is a suitable choice for the futuristic fashionista.

The innovative design allows parents to push their tots at a higher level via telescoping capabilities, or lower depending on preference, making it less of a back bender for the pusher and a better view for the babe. And, common to many other brands, the Xplory allows for forward or rear-facing positioning.

To learn more about the Stokke Xplory, read more.

Like other travel system strollers, the Stokke Xplory offers a bassinet feature so newborns can snooze on the go. As babies outgrow the bassinet, parents can trade up to the reclining seated position that is height adjustable. In addition to the seats being height adjustable, the footrest can also be tailored to the child's liking and the handlebar to the parent's.

The pros of the Stokke Xplory are the sleek design, the bassinet feature, and the raised placement. The basket on the base of the frame is fantastic for storage and adds additional stability to the elevated buggy. The height of the patented four-wheeled wonder gives many parents reason enough to not buy a high chair as the stroller itself can be wheeled up to the table and locked for stationary dining.

However, there are some cons to the Xplory, too. Number one -the price is quite steep at $1200. Number two - it doesn't have the life expectancy that many of its competitors do. Most travel system strollers last through four-years-old or 60 pounds where a child will outgrow a Stokke at three-years-of-age or 45 pounds. Last - I'd personally worry a bit about tipping the stroller if I added too much weight to the handle or not enough to the basket.

The Xplory easily folds in half (with the seat in place) making it simple to stow away. Like many others, your arms will get a workout as the compact system weighs 23 pounds. The adapter for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP and Grace Snugride are both available to make the car seats compatible with the stroller frame. The splashy pushchair is available in six basic colors - black, cream, olive, orange, turquoise and red.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Quinny Buzz

babysugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0700

When I was pregnant three years ago, there was a lot of talk about the Quinny Buzz - an English stroller that was slowly making its way to the American market. Now I see the sprightly pushchairs everywhere! The sleek modern design is droolworthy but I wondered if the mechanics of the stroller would be equally as pleasing.

To see what I thought about the Quinny Buzz, read more.

At $550, the Quinny Buzz is more affordable than some of its competitors in the same category. Like the Bugaboo Cameleon and Orbit Baby, the Quinny Buzz offers you the option to have your child forward or rear facing. Similarly, the handlebars are adjustable, which is a nice perk for parents of different heights. The three-wheeled buggy has a 360-degree swivel wheel in the front and air-filled tires in the back making it easy to maneuver in tight spots and push through all-terrains.

The flexible soft seat reclines into three various positions making it suitable for children ages six-months through four-years-old or 50 pounds. To begin using the stroller at birth, a parent can add the bassinet ($189) feature to their package or simply use the adapting infant car seat. Still fairly new to the market, one of the drawbacks of the Quinny Buzz is that it is only compatible with the Maxi Cosi infant car seat. If that is your car seat of choice, the Buzz may be for you.

The six dazzling colors that can be perched atop the aluminum base make the Quinny Buzz a piece of stroller eye candy. Adding to the attractive package, the $550 bill gets you a sun canopy, Buzz Box (the carry-all to stow items), bug net, wind stopper and rain shield. Easily one of the strongest features of this stroller is the ability to break it down and unfold it with one simple step. With the seat still attached, the stroller collapses quickly into a flat position making it a cinch to pick up and store though you will require some muscle as it weighs 26.4 pounds. When you're ready to get up and go again, an effortless punch of a button releases a hydraulic system that pops the stroller up in a blink of an eye. Watch the video below for a quick demo of the advanced collapsing system.

Tell me what you think of the Quinny Buzz!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Orbit Baby

babysugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:00:54 -0700

If you pay attention to what the celebmamas are pushing these days, then you'll know that the Orbit Baby travel system ($900) is the ride of choice with Hollywood's most elite. Marcia Cross, Halle Berry, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Richie, and Jessica Alba are just a few who chose the posh buggy for their wee ones.

To learn more about the swank stroller, read more.

The all-in-one system comes with the infant car seat, base, and stroller frame. The car seat is ergonomically designed to rotate on the car seat base and the stroller for easy maneuvering. Additionally, the flexible handle won't dig into mom's arm the way other car seats do. The circular base allows you to position the seat in any direction - forward, backward, or sideways facing - making it a cinch for parents to unlock and unload the carrier in one swift move. When it's time to hit the road, the one-hand pull of the stroller base easily collapses the 19-pound contraption in one fell swoop.

As babes graduate from the infant seat, which lasts until the child weighs 22 pounds or measures 29 inches long, parents can purchase the Orbit Toddler Stroller Seat ($179) specifically designed to fit into the circular Orbit stroller base. Unlike the infant seat, a separate car seat must be used. Loyal Orbit fans may choose the Orbit Toddler Car Seat ($300) while some may decide on other brand options. The stroller seat is suited for children six months old and up to 40 pounds. The toddler car seat is made for children rear-facing 15-35 lbs; forward-facing from 20-50 lbs and up to 49 inches.

Providing only two color options, parents must decide between black/slate or mocha/khaki, both of which are sleek, simple, and easily disguise a mess. The smooth ride on pneumatic tires makes it a dream for the driver, while providing the passenger with the ability to snooze on the go. The agile pushers are also in luck as two pliable cup holders, a lofty basket for safe keeping, and adjustable handles make running errands more of an adventure than a chore.

I love the look, the versatility, and the ease of the Orbit Baby system, but the price tag is sure to make some wary - especially when you have to keep adding to it as the child grows. Tell me what you think about the Orbit Baby Stroller!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Bugaboo Cameleon

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:23 -0700

First up on my Right Start stroller review - the multi-terrain Bugaboo Cameleon! Born in 1999 in Holland, the best-selling Dutch stroller has quickly become a favorite for families all over the world. The beautifully crafted travel system can work for a baby from day one through their toddler years.

Configured with an adapter, the base of the Bugaboo Cameleon ($899) fits many infant car seats (Graco Snugride, Maxi-Cost Mico, and Peg Primo Viaggio) which makes it easy for moms to transfer the child from the car to the stroller with one simple snap. While most car seats are safe and cozy havens for wee ones, many doctors advise parents not to let the child spend too much time in the seat as they need to develop their muscles and stretch out their body. For parents who plan on spending lots of time on the go with their newborn, the bassinet feature of the Bugaboo Cameleon is an added bonus.

To find out more fun facts about the Cameleon and see a video of it in action, read more.

Many parents find the bassinet reason enough to buy the expensive stroller. Suited for a newborn, infants can sleep easy while mommy runs errands or lunches with the ladies. Back home, some parents choose to lock the break and keep the stroller stationary making the bassinet the baby's actual sleeping place for the first few weeks of life. This eliminates the purchase of a Moses basket or co-sleeper.

Once the child graduates from the bassinet stage, they move into the bucket seat that pops onto the original base and can grow with a youngster until 40 pounds or four-years-old. When parents opt to have another lil one, they can add a wheeled stepping board for the older child to coast on while his lil sidekick rests.

Some of the benefits of the Cameleon are that you can move the adjustable handle bar (great for height differentiated families) back and forth so you can watch your tot snooze or choose to let him soak in the sights. The foam filled tires make for a smooth ride and less stops at the air filling station. Additionally, parents can pimp their wee one's rides by customizing their colors and fabrics, which are also machine washable - a huge perk for moms of messy youngsters!

As a multi-terrain stroller, the Bugaboo Cameleon can take a family anywhere. The downside is that most families end up buying another lightweight stroller in addition to the Cameleon as it is not the easiest stroller for travel. It is on the heavier end of the scale weighing 21 pounds and breaking it down is not a simple task, as you have to remove the seat or bassinet before folding it up for storage. However, like most strollers, many moms I know agree that you just get used to it and it becomes second nature.

Tell us what you think about the Bugaboo Cameleon.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Turn In Your Used Baby Items For Some Cash

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:10:00 -0700

Call it cash for baby clunkers. Like the federal government's program designed to remove gas guzzlers from the road, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us are launching a program to draw attention to the number of baby products that should not be handed down or resold to a new generation of lil ones.

Beginning Friday, the stores will launch the Great Trade-In, allowing parents to bring in used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item by certain manufacturers – including Britax, Chicco, Evenflo and Graco. The three-week program hopes to target the 70 percent of recalled products that are never returned to stores. Before rifling through your used baby items, be sure to check out our tips regarding hand-me-downs to see if an item can be used again.

Strollin': Maclaren Grand Tour LX

babysugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:00:36 -0700

While my 2008 stroller reviews have sparked a discussion about the benefits of full travel systems versus their lightweight siblings, the granddaddy of stroller manufacturers, Maclaren, has thrown a new product into the ring that is sure to have your tongues wagging.

The Maclaren Grand Tour LX, the company's first non-umbrella stroller, was unveiled last week and its features have moms doing a double-take. In addition to the multiple-positioned, forward- or rear-facing seat, removable carry cot, and infant car seat compatibility, the pushchair features front chassis safety lights with a remote control, stain-resistant Nano-Tex fabric available in eight colors, adjustable telescopic handles and an undercarriage basket with a removable shopping bag. To see what has me lining up to test this beauty, including another photo, read more.

By far the coolest feature on the GT LX is the Dashboard Console, which is reminiscent of the one found in top-of-the-line cars. The console has a clock, temperature gauge and built-in Strollometer, which, as you may recall provides information on distance traveled, average and current speeds and is a great aid in postpartum weight loss.

The bells and whistles don't stop there though, the stroller comes with a canopy hood complete with an air vent, sun visor, rain cover and mosquito net, an organizer that attaches to the handles, a cup holder, a luggage tag and storage and wheel bag covers for the wheels, which can be easily removed for storage and cleaning. Unlike other complete travel systems, this one features an easy one-hand fold system and comes pre-assembled.

While the stroller can be used from birth to 65 pounds, it does come at a price. Like many of the systems I reviewed last week, this one will set you back about $900, but if that doesn't phase you, visit your favorite store in November when these babies are scheduled to hit the market.

Strollin': lilsugar's Stroller Reviews

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

One of the toughest baby gear decisions a mother-to-be has to make is which stroller to buy. With all the options available, it's near impossible to test drive every ride. So, I took the liberty of reviewing a vast assortment of buggies for all of you mommies in a stroller quandary.
Right Start graciously showed me some of their inventory covering various categories - travel systems, lightweight, jogger and double strollers. In the next few weeks, I will spotlight each stroller. At the end of all the reviews, we'll be giving away one stroller to a lucky lilsugar reader! So stay tuned and get ready for the onslaught of stroller information. First up, travel systems!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Baby Joggers

babysugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:00:18 -0700

If there's one thing that new mommies are usually ready to get rid of, it's baby weight. Some are lucky as it falls off instantly without much effort while others claim breastfeeding does the trick. Still, some new mamas have to work hard to drop those pesky pounds. If running is your key to success, a jogging stroller may be what mama should order.

After reviewing some travel systems and lightweight strollers, I'll be giving you my thoughts on a few athletic strollers this week. Stay tuned!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.