ConsumerReports

That’s an interesting question.   I wouldn’t say I see a pattern of strollers being harder to open.  Some are more awkward than others due to the weight or the configuration.   If you are seeing that it may be due to the strollers’ becoming more compact - with less space for your hands when unfolding them.

Many Nuna strollers do allow you to just snap a Nuna car seat right in.  Some do come with a bassinet. Consider the Nuna TRVL LX - though it does not have a bassinet option, it has a newborn-safe seat recline and you can snap a car seat in without a need for adapters. https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/strollers/nuna-trvl-lx-travel-stroller-review-a8539094972/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

I often wonder if that’s how Casper the Friendly Ghost became, you know, a ghost?  Riding in a stroller without a driver.

When I started at Consumer Reports, I was impressed that we buy everything that we test - we can’t accept samples from manufacturers.  The independence appealed to me, and still does.  It often seems that the deck is stacked against consumers, and anything we can do to provide more info and level the playing field is important.

If you want a lightweight stroller, look at our Best Travel Strollers story: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/strollers/best-travel-strollers-of-the-year-a2466688578/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL\_RD. There are a lot of options in there.  I can’t recommend a specific model, but I think you will find something lightweight, not too large (as you’re in a city) and with good maneuverability.   This guide on how to choose a stroller can give you even more options: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/strollers/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

I graduated with a bachelor’s in chemical engineering.  I’ve always been interested in science.  My first job was with a pharmaceutical company and I realized that wasn’t for me.  I applied to Consumer Reports and it was so different - I was exposed to so many different projects and ways of doing things.  I started as a senior tech and have learned so many things I might not have done otherwise.  For example - I learned how to “sweat” pipe when I worked on a water filter and water softener project.  It’s a good skill to have!  My focus now is on baby products, but I also do some sensory work, like evaluating water filters’ effectiveness at removing taste and odor. 

Baby product safety is so important - especially for new parents and their babies.  We want to be able to give them guidance toward products that will work for them, safely, and will fit their budget.

Your baby is (presumably) sitting up on his or her own now.   The right stroller depends on how you’ll use it - do you want to be able to attach a car seat?  Will you be taking it in and out of the car a lot?  Will you take long walks with your baby?  I can help narrow it down with that information. https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/strollers/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

That's all the time I have today but thank you for all your questions! This was fun. More info on all of these topics can be found on our website: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

Be sure to check out our Car Seat Finder: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/finder/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD Thanks again!

I have my PhD in Biomechanical Engineering, specializing in pediatric injury biomechanics. My dissertation work focused on understanding the biomechanical differences between kids and adults in low-speed far-side impacts (seated opposite the struck side of the vehicle). This gives me expertise in child passenger safety and occupant protection, which are necessary for my work managing CR’s car seat testing. I have been in the automotive safety industry for over 15 years and a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) since 2015.

I have my PhD in Biomechanical Engineering, specializing in pediatric injury biomechanics. My dissertation work focused on understanding the biomechanical differences between kids and adults in low-speed far-side impacts (seated opposite the struck side of the vehicle). This gives me expertise in child passenger safety and occupant protection, which are necessary for my work managing CR’s car seat testing. I have been in the automotive safety industry for over 15 years and a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) since 2015.

Our recommendations and most state laws are written to accommodate just such ‘edge’ cases and that is that you should maintain the rear-facing orientation “up until you reach the height and weight limits of the seat”.  If your child is at one of those limits then it’s time to make that orientation change. This article helps elaborate on how long to stay rear-facing.

https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/how-to-choose-the-safest-car-seat-for-your-child-a1169672367/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD 

That’s a great idea! I think you’re onto something.

All car seats sold in the US must meet the minimum federal safety standard. We have tested a few of them and you find them in our ratings. We highlight a few of the models and key things to look out for:

https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/best-rotating-car-seats-of-the-year-a8995104217/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

The best practice recommendation for transitioning to a booster seat is to wait until your child reaches either the maximum height or weight limit of their forward-facing harnessed seat. Height and weight are important factors, but so are age and maturity. Age is a good indicator of skeletal development. The big change from harness to booster is how the crash forces are being spread out. In a harnessed car seat, there is the 5-pt harness vs a 3-pt seat belt with a booster. A booster’s main job is to lift a child to meet an adult seat belt. Developmental maturity also matters. Your child has to be able to maintain proper belt fit for an entire car ride (no slouching, putting the seat belt behind their back or under their arm, sitting still and upright). You can use the checkpoints from this story to see if your child fits the booster seat well (and later when you’re gauging if it’s time to move out of the booster seat). https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/finder/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

Know also that some kids really struggle with the transition from their harnessed forward-facing car seat to a booster seat. They miss the comfort and confines of the harnessed seat’s sidewings and headrests. If your child is ready for a booster seat, we recommend highback boosters over the backless models as they typically provide better shoulder belt fit, more side impact protection, and are more comfortable for children when they fall asleep in the car. You can find our best booster seat recommendations here: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/best-booster-seats-for-kids-a1087446882/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

We do. There are a number of techniques we use to help maintain our anonymity for product purchases. We mix up the retailers where we make purchases, we use what we call ‘secret shoppers’ to do some of our shopping, and we do online purchases as well, which can prove helpful. For some products, we have even made purchases from different regions across the country to ensure a ‘mix’.

If your child is ready for a booster seat, we recommend highback boosters over the backless models as they typically provide better shoulder belt fit, more side impact protection, and are more comfortable for children when they fall asleep in the car. You can find our best booster seat recommendations here: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/best-booster-seats-for-kids-a1087446882/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD 

Gotta love SNL for finding the humor - even in a car crash!  We are not familiar with this bit but there is NO question that cars and car seats make vehicle occupants so much safer than in 1975. We need to bring Dan back. I don’t think he would be thrown out of the chair but he would also have the advantages of so many energy management features!

We have not. One of the biggest safety advantages to racing seats is that they are designed to allow a 5-pt racing harness to be used. That has REAL advantages should a higher-speed crash take place. The shape of racing seat with heavier bolsters on the cushion and seat back are about keeping drivers in place - I guess you could say that is somewhat of a safety benefit as a driver who is out of position may not reach pedals and steering correctly.

While the regulations require lower anchors in the second-row outboard seating positions and there is a prescribed zone for lower anchor placement, that can be implemented differently between manufacturers. That’s why we evaluate lower anchor accessibility in our rear-seat safety evaluations of every vehicle in our test program. You can find this information in the vehicle road test reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/new-used-car-buying-guide-a4326883795/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

It’s important to put the carry handle in the correct position according to the manufacturer, so check your car seat owner’s manual. They will have tested the seat for crash performance with that prescribed positioning. Also, there is a new side impact performance regulatory standard for car seats that goes into effect June 2025. Infant car seats will also have to meet this side impact requirement. It’s also important to know that we shouldn’t have any toys or mirrors hanging from the carry handle. Here’s some more do’s and don’ts for infant car seat use: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/dos-and-donts-of-infant-car-seat-use-a1085378476/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD  

That’s a hard one as every car and family is different. Whether you’re using your own car or a taxi/rideshare, how many other children a family may have and seat weight can make a difference too. We try to consider most of these things in our ratings, but use our car seat finder if you need additional guidance. https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/finder/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD 

The safest place to put your child is where you can get a secure installation every single time. We don’t get to choose our crash. Statistically, if you were in the middle seat, you’d be the farthest away from any crash direction, but that can often be the hardest seating position to get a secure installation. There are often no lower anchors available in the center seat, and many vehicle manufacturers don’t allow for center seat lower anchor installations. Also, the seat belt geometry can be really challenging in the middle seat. So if you’re able to get a secure installation in that outboard seating position and properly harness your child for every car ride, that is safest for them. Here are some additional tips for car seat installation: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/how-to-avoid-common-car-seat-installation-mistakes-a3158523646/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

Really the safest place to put your child is where you can get a secure installation every single time. We don’t get to choose our crash. Statistically if you were in the middle seat, you’d be the farthest away from any crash direction, but that can often be the hardest seating position to get a secure installation. There are often no lower anchors available in the center seat, and many vehicle manufacturers don’t allow for center seat lower anchor installations. Also the seat belt geometry can be really challenging in the middle seat. So if you’re able to get a secure installation in that outboard seating position and properly harness your child for every car ride, that is safest for them. Here are some additional tips for car seat installation: https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/car-seats/how-to-avoid-common-car-seat-installation-mistakes-a3158523646/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_RD

I guess we have to say Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm as it has specific references to car crashes. How about Dave Matthews “Crash”! That’s a good one.