As a car seat, it does what it says on the tin; and as a travel system, it’s nippy, light and simple-to-use. I never took a car seat with me on my solo European escapades and was able to move around with metro, trams and public buses without issues and never had to use cars with the baby – just like everyone else around me.

In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks.But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). What do you suggest for parents looking for something that can serve both as a car seat and a stroller? There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat.

And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg. You recline the stroller seat flat, pull up the footrest and turn the seat into a little bassinet on wheels. It's extremely important to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for safe usage, including ensuring your child is within the appropriate weight and height limits. Whether you’re flying with kids or flying with a baby, it’s not only important to travel safely– but to keep your little ones happy and occupied on the journey!

It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. As a parent, you want to keep your kids comfy, especially when they’re tiny during the first few months.

Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child).Most places in the US require by law to have a child in a car seat when in a car or taxi (NYC does not require it, but you naturally want to keep your little one safe). I loved not having a bulky buggy sitting in my hallway – most of the time, the Doona lived in the car; and when it was at home, it only took up the space of a normal car seat (66cm long x 60cm high x 40cm wide). Whatever the configuration, owning one of these means your infant can stay in the car seat buckled in and undisturbed.

A 1-year-old might prefer to sit on the stroller seat directly, but you can continue to safely use the infant car seat rear-facing in the car until your baby reaches the weight and height limit, which often happens soon after their second birthday. First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. Don't leave your little one snoozing in their car seat (or stroller) once you get home, per the AAP. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, which also converts to a high-back booster. You can use it on Emirates if your baby is under 6 months old and not older and you must be seated on bulkhead seats only.In Europe, it’s pretty common knowledge not to stuff your babies in car seats and bassinets are a way to go – hence why Doonas are approved but not very popular at all because it’s just a car seat (and quite frankly, car seat choice are way better and much more lightweight in Europe). The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers. The stroller frame with the toddler seat attached is a bit heavy and the wheels don't turn on a dime like they do with smaller strollers, but first time parents might be reassured by the substantial feel (online, one fan of this set wrote that it's built "like a tank"). A majority of children’s car seats in the United States are filled with toxic chemical flame retardants due to an outdated 1972 federal flammability regulation.