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| Teutonia Stroller Car Seat |
We all know that traveling accompanied by a baby can be much easier if
you choose the right travel system for your needs. Let’s explore some of the
key features to be aware of.
The biggest and first I want to mention is that not all
'travel systems' include the car seat base - the unit that is installed in the
car that the seat snaps into, so be aware and check to make sure or purchase
separately if needed. Most times this doesn’t significantly increase the
overall cost just be sure to check. The Teutonia is one such system but
additional purchases still keep it in a reasonable price range in comparison to
other systems that include the base in the initial cost.
Check to make sure that the stroller is able to securely
hold the car seat which is doubling as your infant carrier. I was surprised
that some systems are sold as a 'travel system' but are actually a combination
of stroller and stand alone car seat that don't work together. They are the
same fabric and color and look good together but don’t really work together. In
my mind a true travel system will have a car seat that lifts out of the car and
attaches to the stroller frame in one manner or another. Most sit on top of the
built in seat that you will use as your child gets older. A travel system
should make moving your child from the car to the stroller possible without
taking them out of the seat. The Teutonia T-Linx system includes the adaptor
which insures secure attachment of the car seat.
Make sure you check the car seat for comfort when carrying
it as this is your infant carrier. It shouldn't be overly heavy or have an
unmanageable handle. If it uses state of the art lightweight materials it
shouldn't be too heavy for you to manage. Look at the handle, it needs to be
ergonomically design for grip and comfort, this is something that is sometimes
overlooked by manufacturers. One good design for this is our featured Teutonia car seat.
Very popular in a stroller are the units where the handle
flips over so that the child faces you or faces away when being pushed. Many
parents really love this feature. One note though when looking for this is to
make sure that the swivel wheels that are normally on the front can lock into a
non-swivel mode making it easier to control. A couple units that do this well
are the Teutonia mentioned above and the Graco Alano Travel systems.
Be sure to check and make sure there are parent cup holders
and how many. Also check that there is accessible storage place for your cell
phone if you are taking long walks or jogs with baby. Nothing is more
irritating than a cell phone in some zippered pocket that often times is hard
to get to. One system that has a covered storage compartment for a cell phone
in the parent tray is Baby Trend Expedition Jogger. A unit that is a great
priced 3 wheel jogger. In their line is a conventional 4 wheel system that
features a height adjustable handle that is a must for tall parents, it's
called Venture by Baby Trend.
Here is a nice demo of the Teutonia system:
A viewable leveling bubble is important for the correct
installation of the car seat base. One of the most recommended systems for ease
of installation is the Britax Chaperone Travel System. The Teutonia stands out
also with a large dial type leveling system that is very easy to adjust. The
Teutonia system also features one of the largest UV (50+) protective canopies that
moves 180 degrees to any angle if you live in a sunny location.
I should point out here something mentioned earlier is that
on a few models the lower storage area becomes inaccessible when the stroller
seat is in the full recline position. This happens when baby is sleeping and
isn't the greatest set up. On the same note be aware that on some models the built
in seat doesn't fully recline. We didn't care about that but might be an issue
for you. Also not a problem with the Teutonia design – the lower storage is
always available with additional storage in a zipped pocket behind the seat.
To wrap it up, all of these factors should be looked at
keeping your lifestyle and need in mind. Think about when, how, where and why
you will actually use the products. Make sure you find one that has the things
that are ‘musts’ for you and how you are living. And, if you get a few ‘would
be nice’ in there it’s all good.
Good success in your choices and congratulations on your new
baby, I hope you found this article helpful in choosing the Teutonia Stroller and car seat.
